Super TestCar reviews - Holden - Commodore - SV8 sedanHolden modelsCommodore Acclaim sedan Acclaim wagon Berlina 3.0 sedan Berlina sedan Calais sedan Calais V Calais V Sportwagon Calais V V8 sedan Calais V V8 Sportwagon Calais V6 Calais V8 sedan Evoke Executive LPG sedan Executive sedan Executive wagon LPG range LT Liftback diesel Omega MY10 sedan Omega sedan Omega Sportwagon range RS 2.0 turbo S Supercharged sedan Sportwagon Sportwagon SSV Redline SS sedan SS V SS V Redline SS V sedan SS-V Redline sedan SV6 sedan SV8 sedan Vacationer 5-dr wagon VXR Research Holden Engine9 Jan 2003 A FEW extra kilowatts of power and a handful more Newton metres of torque may not sound like a huge incremental gain for Holden's revered Gen III Chevrolet V8, but a number of detail changes have made the brawny alloy lump far more civilised to drive. The same induction tract changes that were necessitated for Monaro by its more intrusive projector beam headlights have been applied to both Holden's standard 225kW V8 and to the "high output" 235kW V8 found in SS and SV8 models. The changes make for a much deeper, more satisfying induction note and bring big gains in off-idle throttle response and refinement. Less of the outgoing V8's coughing, wheezing and spluttering is accompanied by sudden throttle inputs at low revs. Combined with the long-travel clutch and super-tall overall gearing, the more civilised and tractable engine makes SS more pleasant to drive in urban traffic. To achieve the 10kW and 15Nm peak performance gains (now 235kW at the same 5200rpm and 465Nm at 4400rpm), a new full-length twin stainless steel exhaust system is fitted to Holden's hi-po V8, which feels just a little stronger in the mid-range and more willing to rev cleanly to its 5500rpm redline. Despite the odd firing order, it also produces an exhaust burble more in keeping with an engine displacing almost six litres. The pushrod alloy V8 may still feel a little coarse, but there's no denying its ability, propelling the 1600kg to licence-losing speeds with devastating ease and building even more speed deceptively and with a little more character and effectiveness. Commodore SV8 will run on regular, 91-octane unleaded fuel, thanks to its twin knock control sensors, which of course reduces performance. The vastly over-square pushrod V8 also employs sequential fuel injection, coil-per-cylinder ignition and a six-bolt crankshaft. Did you know?Independent testing shows the SV8 accelerates to 100km/h in around six seconds - about the same as the XR6 Turbo. SV8 completes the standing quarter-mile a little quicker - in about 14 secondsAll car reviewsAlfa Romeo Abarth Alpine Alpina Audi Aston Martin BMW Bentley Chevrolet Chery Citroen Chrysler Dodge Cupra Ferrari DS Ford Fiat FPV Foton GWM Great Wall Holden Haval HSV Honda Hyundai Hummer Isuzu Infiniti Jeep Jaguar Lamborghini Kia LDV Land Rover Lotus Lexus Maserati Mahindra McLaren Mazda Mercedes-Benz Mercedes-AMG Mini MG Nissan Mitsubishi Peugeot Opel Proton Porsche Renault Ram Rover Rolls-Royce Skoda Saab SsangYong Smart Suzuki Subaru Toyota Tesla Volvo Volkswagen |
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