mangogrooveworkshop
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| posted on 20/8/04 at 05:14 PM |
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Lucky RORTY
Aussies go for grunt - and even kids drive road rockets
August 18, 2004
Sydney, Australia - The 39th edition of Australia's most popular car, the GM Holden Commodore, is in keeping with its recent antecedents: more
powerful than the previous model… and just as thirsty.
Yes, Australians are big on power and careless about economy.
With petrol a third of the cost in Europe, it's not difficult to sell a 3.6-litre V6 that slurps 11.1 litres/100km like it is in other
countries.
Just how brawny the best-selling VZ Commodore is might surprise. The new model, even in the entry-level version, puts out 175kW - a 15 percent
increase on the superseded model
The new model, even in the entry-level version, puts out 175kW - a 15 percent increase on the superseded model
.
Australia's second-biggest selling saloon and the Commodore's eternal rival, the Ford Falcon, is also a muscle car masquerading as a
family saloon. It puts out 182kW - twice that of its 1987 equivalent and more than a Porsche Boxster.
The Commodore and the Falcon, the mainstay of police forces and taxi operators in Aussie, also constitute the bulk of fleet cars.
With torque so cheap, there have been rumblings in the motor industry that the government should not be sitting on its hands while two top local
manufacturers vie with each other in offering such road rockets.
Displacement is inexpensive: the Commodore range starts at A$35 410 – about R162 000). A vastly overpowered Commodore or Falcon is the first car that
many 17-year-old Australians drive.
Australian automotive industry analyst Kim Rennick admits that such power is at best redundant and at worst a danger to the driver but brute strength
has taken on a special potency in that country's market
There have been rumblings in the motor industry that the government should not be sitting on its hands
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"A big, ballsy horsepower figure is the most effective 'unique selling proposition'," Rennick observed.
"It's an area where Ford and Holden know that imports can't go at anywhere near the same price. They basically mark out their turf
with a 200kW power rating." - Sapa-DPA
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mackie
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| posted on 20/8/04 at 06:04 PM |
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That Monaro thing is quite a beast. Totally inappropriate for our fuel prices though.
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mangogrooveworkshop
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| posted on 20/8/04 at 06:58 PM |
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When I was a lot younger my dads company car was a Holden Monaro with a big V8......How times have changed.....with bosses bitching about the latest
1800 diesels>>>>>>
He also had a Chevy Biscane, A Ford Ranchero. all V8
[Edited on 20-8-04 by mangogrooveworkshop]
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Rorty
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| posted on 23/8/04 at 08:15 AM |
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I had a recent Commodore (don't drive at all now). They're big and powerful, but seriously average cars, Like most things here,
they're rough and ready and about 5-10 years behind the rest of the world, technology-wise.
I also had a Falcon a few years before the Commodore. When reversing out of my driveway onto the road, the nearside rear door used to pop open when
going over the gutter!
I only liked them for their size (I'm 6' 7" .
Cheers, Rorty.
"Faster than a speeding Pullet".
PLEASE DON'T U2U ME IF YOU WANT A QUICK RESPONSE. TRY EMAILING ME INSTEAD!
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mackie
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| posted on 23/8/04 at 08:43 AM |
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As they say "there ain't no substitute for cubic inches" apart from maybe technology and clever design.
That new Chrysler based on the old E class platform with the 5.7l Hemi is a good example of a good muscle saloon, but aimed a bit higher in the market
that the commodore and falcon.
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Jasper
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| posted on 23/8/04 at 04:31 PM |
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I drove a 70's straight six Falcon station wagon around OZ a few years ago - drank petrol, wasn't very fast, but had a double mattress in
the back, curtains all round, and one of those great drop down tailgates on the back - perfect for the gas stove - and would drive all day long
through 40 deg heat in the outback without the temp gauge moving ...... what a great car - even had a hand painted map on OZ on the bonnet so you
could mark your route. Mind you, you had to plan your route around the twisty roads.....handled like a blancmange on a rollerskate 
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