Holden VS Commodore - Very Successful

Welcome to another episode in the Holden Commodore Auto History series - the VS. The VS was a very successful model for Holden, following a major facelift with the VR - another smash hit for Holden. Big news was a new V6 engine, plus enhancements to safety and security. You can help the channel by giving the episode a Like 👍. Please also be sure to Subscribe so you don’t miss a future episode. Thanks for watching 👍.

[@markbehr88]

Welcome to the next episode in the Holden Commodore Auto History series - the VS. The VS was very successful for Holden, following the major restyle completed for VR - another smash hit for Holden. The big news for the VS was a major upgrade to the V6 engine, plus the release of the Supercharged six as well as a host of safety upgrades. Help the channel by giving the episode a 👍Like. Please also Subscribe so you don’t miss a future episode. Thanks for watching. 👍👍

[@joshm6900]

VS to me was the quintessential company car but in a good way. Something you'd be proud to park in the driveway. Always looked classy to me but I love Fords from this era too.

[@markbehr88]

@@joshm6900 Yes, they were both good cars. 👍

[@biastv1234]

I remember the GTSR, the advertising said something like’ top up your super, or have some fun ‘

[@markbehr88]

@@biastv1234 Yes. I remember that ad. He said “Nah, stuff it”. 😀👍

[@paulsz6194]

Yes, that’s coder. I actually watched it recently…

[@davidbusch8912]

Good ‘ol ecotec. Thanks Mark, now I know what ecotec stands for!

[@markbehr88]

That’s the one! 👍

[@commodorenut]

GM global marketing at its finest….. but you’ve gotta admit, the VS V6 was pretty frugal on fuel when highway cruising. But then so was the 5L. I had one of each when commuting a long way to work in the late 90s and very early 2000s, and the V6 cost me $60/week in fuel, whilst the V8 was $70/week for the same commute. Then I ended up in an AU2 Futura company car and no longer cared about fuel consumption!😂

[@markbehr88]

@@commodorenut Yes. Very economical. Also aided by the light weight. 👍

[@commodorenut]

7:20 is what my VS2 Calais was like when I got it 25 odd years ago. It’s also an XX1 like you had. Still have it today. Needs paint though. Rubens & Botanica were my favourite VS colours, and I ended up with one of each!

[@markbehr88]

@@commodorenut Very cool. Definitely keepers. 👍

[@TorqHub]

Amazing to hear you still have the calais mate!

[@markbehr88]

@ It is. 👍

[@commodorenut]

It was definitely a keeper 👍

[@rockygoodfellow77]

I own a 1995 VS Executive 5.0 manual. Made on 11 April 1995, a factory order for a Holden factory worker. Marenello Red, optioned with dual front airbags, ABS, A/C, central locking, live rear axle with 3.08 lsd, long range fuel tank, mudflaps, bonnet and headlight protectors, dash mat. Also has tinted windows and SS interior fitted on delivery. Runs as good today as it did in 95.

[@mikewaters6980]

Very cool mate. Never let her go!

[@markbehr88]

Very cool. Sounds like a heavily optioned Holden staff car. 👍

[@FuManchu5ltr]

Yet another benchmark video. Great to watch Mark.

[@markbehr88]

Thanks very much. 👍

[@sonnyburnett9393]

I had a 5 speed VSII V6 BT1 company car. It was apparently a leftover fire brigade spec car they never took delivery of for some reason, I wanted a VT but my boss couldn't say no to the huge discount on a run out VS. I remember picking it up from Ron Poyser Holden in Bendigo and must have set a new land speed record on the drive back to Melbourne, I don't know what mods they had done to the engine but it was easily the quickest 6 cylinder Commodore I'd ever driven. 😊

[@markbehr88]

@@sonnyburnett9393 Probably well run in.? It makes a huge difference per some of myHolden company cars. 👍

[@sonnyburnett9393]

​@@markbehr88 The cars best feature by far was it looked like an unmarked police car, there's noting like flying up behind some right lane hogger and watching them immediately change lanes. 🚔

[@markbehr88]

@ Yes. I had a VP BT1 as a company car when I was at Holden. 👍

[@lukemacqueen946]

Great information Mark. I always liked the clean lines on the VR and VS series.

[@markbehr88]

@@lukemacqueen946 Thanks very much. Me too. 👍

[@TorqHub]

VS 5.0L ute, the greatest ute ever built 😢

[@markbehr88]

@@TorqHub 👍

[@davidbarnsley8486]

We bought a vs for our son for his first car it was a beauty It survived him and then he traded for a vz one tonner for his first work ute Good days I still see it getting around from time to time

[@markbehr88]

That’s excellent. 👍

[@commodorenut]

The V8 went to 168kw in VS2, attributed to the cold air intake (same as the HSV intake, but without the HSV logo). VS3 used up the last of the 168kw 5L for quite some time in parallel to the VT getting the 179kw, before getting the upgraded 179kw sequential injected motor. You’ll find a lot of early VS3 utes and LWB with the “old” motor in them.

[@markbehr88]

@@commodorenut Thanks. I wasn’t aware of that. 👍

[@FuManchu5ltr]

@@commodorenut Some say he thinks in ones and zeros. All we know is he is called Commodorenut.

[@paulsz6194]

@@FuManchu5ltrbut he doesn’t wear a white racing suit or Helmet…

[@paulsz6194]

14:38 HSV wanted to be loud in two ways : visually & Audibly . When I was young and these came out, I thought it was just another HSV with yellow & black paint and a slightly more powerful engine. Not worth paying over the odds compared to a senator. But in adulthood they really grew on me , as I understood their method to their madness. Never in my life would I imagine these car values would shoot through the roof and even inspire people to create replicas of them…

[@paulsz6194]

19:03 Was it the Walkinshaw’s that hired IanCallum to design HSV’s body kits back in The day? Just wondering about the Scottish connection (not doubting Ian’s impeccable design work, but just a little curious if there was just a slight bit of bias towards him) ??

[@jimfashik]

Best line of VS COMMODORE

[@markbehr88]

@@jimfashik 👍

[@georgeiliadis9240]

i had a series 3 vs ute, 5 spd manual 5.0, i thought it was 168kw, great package

[@George_Soros_Globalist]

The earlier VS3s had the 168kw 5litre and then they put the VT 5litre in them. There was also a series 3 statesman and Caprice with the VT 5litre.

[@jamesfrench7299]

My Lexcen version was the Ruebens mica colour. Really suited it. Still miss that car.

[@markbehr88]

Yes, that was a great colour. I also liked Panther and the Dark Blue. 👍

[@jamesfrench7299]

@ also had genuine 7” wide police chasers I later fitted along with the Commodore centre caps and a set of Pirellis. Looked fantastic with them.

[@markbehr88]

@@jamesfrench7299 Very nice. 👍

[@hieronymusbosch9421]

Still looks good today. Lovely design.

[@markbehr88]

@@hieronymusbosch9421 I agree. A very cohesive design. 👍

[@sp19822]

I still had a soft spot for the VS after the VT first came out. The VS aged well. I remember some of the early VS V6 models had some oil burning issues, which were soon addressed. I remember writing an essay on the HSV GTSR in Year 9. I got a good mark as my English teacher's partner worked at HSV. There was an excursion to HSV that she organised at the end of that year(1997) as part of the end of year program that I was to go on, but I got sick with food poisoning, and could not go.

[@markbehr88]

That is a shame about missing the HSV trip, but good you got a good mark on your essay! 👍

[@George_Soros_Globalist]

That would've been an awesome excursion.

[@markbehr88]

@George_Soros_Globalist Agree. I ended up working there. 😀👍

[@sp19822]

@George_Soros_Globalist Yes, I was very sad when I missed it. A crook McCain Frozen pizza was the culprit.

[@markbehr88]

@ Ahhh MCCains -they did it again! 🫣

[@mikewaters6980]

Absolutely love ur last company car in New Zealand. Fell in love with series 2 Calais first time I saw it. And id love a 5.0 litre in botánica mica please!

[@markbehr88]

It's a great combination, isn't it? 👍

[@MT03Guy]

My local Chemist had that exact same model and colour Commodore. Very striking in real life.

[@markbehr88]

@@MT03Guy Obviously a Petrol Head Chemist. 😀

[@MT03Guy]

@@markbehr88 Oh he sure is. lol

[@markbehr88]

@ 😄👍

[@UncleJoeLITE]

Mark, I caught an absolutely immaculate Morris Major here in Canberra today. She is in two tone with white wheels & retrimmed. Looked at your channel description for an email to send them to, but... _Yes, I did leave a note on the windscreen lol._ Cheers.

[@markbehr88]

@@UncleJoeLITEHa. Thanks 👍

[@George_Soros_Globalist]

The VS *_GTSR_* blueprint engine had 226 kw. Thanks again, *Mark* .

[@markbehr88]

Cheers. 👍👍

[@RoadTripAu]

Interesting with the VS Olympic ute - interior cloth looks identical to that used on the VX Lumina.

[@markbehr88]

@@RoadTripAu It probably was the same. 🤔

[@jasonfields2793]

Absolutely beautiful car the VR/S styling was onnpoint and is still a fantastic looking car

[@markbehr88]

I agree. 👍

[@petercrimson1979]

Really like the vs ss and hsv models there was also a vs SLR 5000 which was limited remember seeing one in the showroom when new don't think I've seen One since although there is one for sale at car sales at the moment. 91 built all phantom mica Great video 👍

[@markbehr88]

@@petercrimson1979 Thanks. The SLR5000 was a retail dealer group special. 👍

[@commodorenut]

And they looked good with the silver accents and walky wheels

[@petercrimson1979]

@markbehr88 that's right a dealer special I think they were a bit cheaper than the SS. Alot of Holden fans don't even know about it. Bit of a forgotten Commodore in the shadow of the Torana SLR 5000

[@markbehr88]

@ I do remember it. 👍

[@shaun30-3-mg9zs]

Hi Mark, Nice range of Holden VS Commodore , like the SS ute and four door also the GTS-R I like the 3 spoke styled alloy wheels look very similar to the US Dodge Viper. The Calais 2.5 V6 engine is that the same unit that is fitted to the Holden and Vauxhall Vectra, but transverse mounted, years ago my brother had a Vectra 2.5 V6 CDXi ( CDi and CDXi was Vauxhall luxury spec ) and later the 2.5 was increased to 2.6 my brothers second two Vectra's was a 2.6 V6 GSI ( sport spec ) and a four cylinder 2.0 GLSi. I recognised the 1997 revamped Holden badge I've got 2 of them on my garage wall which is covered with lots of car badges and car number plates/ reg plates. As always a great series on the Commodore range, catch you soon take care

[@markbehr88]

@@shaun30-3-mg9zs Thanks Shaun. I think it is the same engine. I had one of those Vectras too when I worked in NZ. 👍

[@George_Soros_Globalist]

​@@markbehr88I used to love that Vectra ad on TV The song that was used in the ad. "Every ones a winner baby that's no lie" 😂😂😂

[@markbehr88]

@George_Soros_Globalist Yes, that was Hot Chocolate and the Marketing Manager at the time was Megan Stooke. 👍

[@trevorsully3054]

Don’t see often see VN or VP’s on the road (usually with club plates) but still see plenty of VS commodores as regular drives

[@markbehr88]

@@trevorsully3054 Yes but considering the number sold. Over 220,000 the numbers are much smaller these days. 🤔👍

[@George_Soros_Globalist]

​@@markbehr88did the VS sell more than the EF or EL?

[@markbehr88]

The lead changed a few times with Ford outselling in EL. Check out my Falcon history episodes for more details. 👍

[@pgilb70]

Cars were so light back then. A Byd shark is double that of a VS! Bonkers

[@markbehr88]

@@pgilb70 Agree. Crazy and not very environmentally friendly either. 🤔

[@michaelhirst5072]

Another awesome video mark ! I might of had a few to many beers but I'm sure there was HSV station wagon I saw rocking around the streets of auckland and had the Manta namesake it looked too good to be a mock up can you or anyone shed some light ?

[@markbehr88]

@@michaelhirst5072 Thanks. Yes. They did offer station wagons. You can see it in the range image. Very low volume. 👍

[@davidburnette5158]

Great video, Mark! Can't wait for you to get to my VF! What engine is that 2.5 V6? Was it built by Holden?

[@markbehr88]

@@davidburnette5158 Yes that was a Holden built engine and it was exported to the UK and Europe. 👍

[@davidburnette5158]

@@markbehr88 Interesting! I was always disappointed in GM for not offering the L67 in a RWD platform here.

[@markbehr88]

@ We did get the L67 as that is the supercharged V6 engine as far as I know? 🤔👍

[@davidburnette5158]

@ Here in the US, we just got the L67 in the FWD Buick Riviera and Electra.

[@markbehr88]

Ahh yes, sorry, I didn’t realise at first you were in the USA. You did get the turbo though in the Buick GNX and the special edition Trans Am. 👍

[@benglossop2603]

Mark, another limited edition pack was the "Esteem" I think they were about the last limited edition before the VT release? I have one at the moment that I've done a little clean up and restoration on

[@markbehr88]

Yes, I recall them too now that you mention it. I think it had VR Berlina alloy wheels? 🤔👍

[@benglossop2603]

@@markbehr88 The same 5 Spoke wheel that was also used on the 50th anniversary Ute as well

[@markbehr88]

@ Right. 👍

[@hieronymusbosch9421]

@@benglossop2603 yes I have one as well and it has the factory 5 spoke wheels that were fitted to the 50th anniversary ute. Great car and really comfortable to drive on country roads.

[@markbehr88]

Right. 👍👍

[@OLDS98]

The video was excellent. Several points: This car looks like an Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme or 1996-1999 Oldsmobile Eighty Eight. I saw the 3800 V6 in your video. I noticed you call it the "Buick V6". I understand why, but most refer to it as the 3800 V6. I noticed the power numbers are slightly different from the US versions. I know Holden worked on the Supercharger and that is why the Supercharged 3800 V6 developed more power. Thank you for showing and explain the Commodores with the Caprice and Statesman front end styling. I saw that years ago and did not know the story behind that. I do now. It was interesting where the car was exported as well. I see the 1997 VT was coming and Holden was preparing. We all know that was based off the Opel/Vauxhall Omega which was sold as a: Holden, Cadillac and Chevrolet in Brazil and the Middle East. It is interesting that UTE ran that long with the older styling. It was successful. The Manta version made me laugh. I said that is the Chevrolet version. LOL! I liked all the images too. The Calais version looked nice and loaded. The HSV's really were grand. I thank you for including and explaining Toyota Lexcen as well. I liked the images. I knew of that car as well. I was hoping to see and hear more about Statesman and Caprice. I am sure you will cover them as well. I know the 1997 Holden Commodore was sold as a: Opel/Vauxhall Holden, Chevrolet, Cadillac globally under GM. I also wanted to share some Opels with you that were exported globally and sold through other GM brands globally: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hWWZpn1srK-rn68 and kzbin.info/www/bejne/gpStfXhngqp6l8U I enjoyed the video.

[@markbehr88]

Thanks Olds98. Glad you enjoyed the episode. I’ll certainly cover the Statesman and Caprice in detail as part of a separate series. Thanks for sending through the Opel links as well. I will check that out. 👍👍

[@willhooke]

It's very interesting how Holden evolved the Commodore from the VB until the VF 202 I6 RB30 I6 Buick V6 Ecotec V6 Alloytech V6 And they grew in size too Meanwhile the Falcon design was much more stable *despite the AU styling That I6 was perfected over the decades And yet what are the sales figures differences between the Commodore and Falcon from VB onwards? Very interesting if you think about it I thought the VS was a very important upgrade with the Ecotec I certainly noticed the difference between my workmate's VS and Dad's 93 Magna 🙂 Thank you for this episode

[@markbehr88]

Thanks. Yes, it had a massive transformation as I’ve outlined in the earlier episodes. At VN it started size wise to compete more evenly with Falcon. 👍

[@willhooke]

@@markbehr88and then the VT had the Commodore at Falcon size and Ford went with the AU styling 😮😮 Massive surge for Holden! Then Holden grabbing the Gen3 and Ford sticking with the Windsor 302... Happy days at GM!

[@markbehr88]

@@willhooke Although Ford came back to some degree at BA. All in my Falcon history episodes. 👍

[@paulsz6194]

3:25 That really looks strange to have a VR statesman front end on a VR commodore without the Oldsmobile Cutlass- inspired C pillar glas & wrap around rear glass . At 8:18 looks really as well. Did the interiors have any Holden logo/ insignia’s on the Airbags or elsewhere? Or was there some specially-made Opel logos to replace the Holden Lion logo?

[@markbehr88]

Normally they would have carried Opel badging but when re-assigned to NZ all badging incl air bad covers were Holden. 👍

[@JimmyShields-z2h]

I remember Peter Brock been at Ute Muster, VU was in dark tent before its release. Peter Brock was doing circlework in VS SS series 3 ute, these utes had LS1 V8 in them, this was sell LS1 to country crowds. Ute colour was gold metallic, there was 6 display utes but not sure what happened to them.

[@markbehr88]

Yes, I was in Product Planning at Holden when we developed the VU. I will cover it in a future episode. 👍

[@brad2tube]

I recall a Senator 225i in NZ. Right at the cusp of the VT release. I believe it was a USA 350, not a AU 5.7. I know you mentioned the 215i stroker … but I’m sure there was a 225i in NZ Was I dreaming??

[@markbehr88]

@@brad2tube I was Holden NZ National Sales Manager at that time. That sounds like a non factory car. 👍

[@ramonmartin4908]

One of my favourite Holden commodore models from the 90's.My only criticism was dashboard looked a little cheap and clumsy .Especially that huge steering wheel air bag.

[@markbehr88]

@@ramonmartin4908 👍😄

[@Idliketoknow303]

I live in the waikato and use to see the royale model around. Nearly bought one in my teen years as my dad told me the 3.8 was "to powerful" for me. To be fair at that time of my life he was probably right.

[@markbehr88]

@@Idliketoknow303 Nice part of the world 👍

[@ktm250exc04]

There was always a rumour going around that the gts-r ended up that colour due to a large taxi order that was cancelled. No sure how true it was though 😅

[@markbehr88]

@@ktm250exc04 No, it would have been based on the range of colours available in the paint shop at the time. I had to make the same decisions on some limited edition HSVs a few years later. 👍

[@UncleJoeLITE]

I really want to say i like these, basically to fit in lol. But in 96 MMA had a new, sharper TE\KE Magna\Verada,. Apart from being a Mitsu, I'd say it was better than Falcodores att. I'll be much more upbeat next episode Mark. 🎉

[@markbehr88]

@@UncleJoeLITE Ha, fair enough. Those Veradas were nice cars. 👍

[@barrycuda3769]

So the v6 in the VS was an upgrade over the VR engine. Was the VS engine exactly the same as the engine in the VT as well ? , and then for the VX , was that a further refinement of the v6 ?

[@markbehr88]

@@barrycuda3769 The V6 Ecotec was a major upgrade from VR. You’ll have to wait for the VT episode. 😀👍

[@barrycuda3769]

@markbehr88 For you , I'll wait .

[@markbehr88]

@ Thanks. It will be worth it. 😀👍

[@Low760]

@@barrycuda3769 technically a new motor with the same dimensions.

[@markbehr88]

Yes.

[@UncleJoeLITE]

19:50 Erratum? Other way I think Mark, retail value to customers on special packs was higher than the cost to the company. If I've got it arse around, tell me. 😂

[@markbehr88]

@@UncleJoeLITE Yes. That’s right. $2000 retail added value probably cost the company $500. Better than giving cash off. 👍

[@Eric-kn4yn]

Alloys were becoming more popular when did ABS become mandatory saved me from nasty rear ender once.

[@markbehr88]

@@Eric-kn4yn Not really mandated. More competitive pressures. Even the VT did not have standard ABS at launch. 👍

[@andrewruss2764]

ABS didn't become standard across the range until the VX

[@PWR2W8-195]

You forgot the SLR 5000i version only came in black with silver bottom side skirts

[@markbehr88]

@@PWR2W8-195 Yes, it was a Dealer Marketing Group (DMG) retail special for a particular state and not a factory, nationally available model. 👍

[@MT03Guy]

@@markbehr88 I'm in SA and quite a while ago I'd see a Torana (A9X I think?) that was an identical replica to the Brock race car even with his name and numbers on it. I recall it was driven quite gently but it really stood out.

[@markbehr88]

@ Must be a serious fan of PB? 👍🤔

[@pcguy5491-the-modern-retro-man]

The last one Toyota rebadged as a Lexcen...since the VN they replaced the I6 with V6...I'm surprised when the au Falcon was out they didn't replace the I6 with the V6 on that.

[@markbehr88]

@@pcguy5491-the-modern-retro-man The Barra is a very good engine in its own right. 👍

[@pcguy5491-the-modern-retro-man]

@@markbehr88 thats right

[@noelgibson5956]

VS was a notably quieter car...... finally. The earlier ones were just too thrashy and noisy. This was obvious because most Commodore drivers love flooring the throttle, so it was a common sound. The Ecotec was a good performer. I've driven a couple. The later V6 in the VZ by comparison, felt a little sluggish down low, which I never appreciate in city driving.

[@markbehr88]

Yes, once you get the VT, the extra weight is very apparent. 👍

[@commodorenut]

I always remember my neighbour, a HWP cop, remarking that the VT was something like 150kg heavier, and he didn’t like it, because it felt like they put 75kg under each headlight! The VS was the “Goldilocks” ratio with the right weight for the power & torque of the Ecotec V6. Sure, the VT was quieter, smoother, and more refined, but I still preferred how the VS drove - in both V6 and V8.

[@markbehr88]

@ Yes. I will talk about that in the big VT episode. 👍

[@noelgibson5956]

​@@markbehr88 Yeah I was mainly alluding to the fact that the Ecotech in the VS to VY, felt more responsive down low than the updated V6 in the VZ (it's description escapes me). Even in the VT, the Ecotec still felt good. That was my personal experience with them. But I do agree, the VT Ecotech would have felt heavier than the VS equivalent.

[@Low760]

4l30e eh? The old trimatic with an extra gear!

[@markbehr88]

@@Low760 That’s a bit unkind. 🤔

[@commodorenut]

Well the 5 speed auto in VZ was technically a trimatic with 2 more gears….

[@markbehr88]

@@commodorenut And the Saturn rocket was basically a paper plane with some extra propulsion. 🤔😀👍

[@Low760]

@@markbehr88 given my transmission builder pulled up the rebuild parts manual with schematics of the box and showed me that you use the 3rd gear clutch pack carrier from the 4l30 in the trimatic as it has more clutches. It's an upgraded but long trimatic, literally the extra gear bolted to the front of a trimatic case when used in vitaras and rodeos etc. the 5 speed is a version of a 4l60e.

[@Low760]

@@commodorenut no. Take a look at a th180, 4l30e and a 5l40. The 5l40 looks like a 6l40,60,80,90 box.

[@davidbarnsley8486]

All I remember about the gtsr was the 75 k price tag and thinking who would pay that for a crappy commodore 😂😂

[@markbehr88]

It was a lot of money but the owners had the last laugh as look at the price now. 🤔

[@Aaajjjjjjjjj]

Didn’t mind the look of the VS. Always thought the EF/EL were far better looking cars, inside and out.

[@markbehr88]

@@Aaajjjjjjjjj The interiors of the Fords in particular were very good. 👍

[@Low760]

14:49 plenty of spare taxi paint around!

[@markbehr88]

You’re on a roll! 😉

[@noelgibson5956]

Too many "special editions". These days, i couldn't tell you how many there were, even though i followed Holden closely back then. Not like the old days when ONE halo model was offered, and everyone could both name, and remember it.

[@markbehr88]

@@noelgibson5956 They were all part of the strategy to sell cars in a very competitive market. There’s no doubt the special editions were good for business. 👍

[@noelgibson5956]

​@@markbehr88 Yeah I take your point, but these cars virtually sold themselves on their merits, they were that popular. All the basics were already there....... powerful engines, lots of room, comfortable interiors, unique styling, etc. They were selling well, anyway. I actually prefer the look of a V8 Calais to any of these halo models. Their add ons were too plasticky and over the top. Just my opinion, but if a halo model is without competition, it's prestige and uniqueness remains intact.

[@jimclarke1108]

Yep

[@markbehr88]

@@jimclarke1108 A man of few words. 😀👍

[@willhooke]

I'm still in my feelings that GM Holden didn't emulate the Turbo Buick V6 (in the Pontiac Grand National) in the Commodore range 😂 Given the success of the VL turbo, who really cared if it showed up the 5 Litre? It was also showing up Ford's 5 Litre too, if you think about it Whilst a crossflow straight 6 is a more natural fit for a turbo (a la RB30 or Barra) the shortness of a V6 in RWD configuration still had enough room for a turbo and intercooler Holden even could've put a smaller (faster) pulley on the Supercharged V6 But that would've shown up the 5 Litre... A lack of ambition shown from Holden? Or constrained by a lack of budget and/or Australian consumers? Surely upgrading the V8s to a 350 would've been acceptable to Aussies? 🤔 Still, given we're a smaller market than many a US State, we did an amazing job *especially with Holden, Ford, Toyota and Mitsubishi all manufacturing here 👏🏻

[@markbehr88]

@@willhooke Yes the Turbo would have been great. Instead Ford did it. 👍

[@SamLukie]

Underbraked and desdly in the wet.

[@markbehr88]

With FE2 it was fine. I drove it on plenty of windy, wet NZ roads. Just have to drive to the conditions. 👍

[@pgilb70]

Does that mean there's SIng. spec 2.5 VSs out there in Oz? Wow. Now that's collectable!

[@markbehr88]

@@pgilb70 They would all be in NZ. They didn’t meet Australian emissions standards. 👍

[@Low760]

@@pgilb70 there's one in Australia now

[@markbehr88]

Right. Enthusiast or personal import I assume? 🤔👍