Holden describes the SS as the “king of the Australian sports sedans”. Others would dispute that but there is no denying the SS delivers with its good looks and agile handling.
The SS takes over from the old SV8 in the VZ line up, which was a popular machine.
Powered by the L98 “Gen IV” 6.0-litre V8, the SS develops 270kW @ 5700rpm and 530Nm @ 4400rpm (up 10kW and 20Nm over the old L76 “Gen III” V8).
The car comes with a six-speed manual as standard – which is light and surprisingly easy to operate - or a silky smooth six-speed automatic with Holden’s Active Select sequential shift function.
Building on the SV6 theme, the SS gains quad exhausts with chrome tips, 18-inch alloys with Bridgestone Potenza RE050A rubber, dual stage front and side airbags (curtain airbags remain an option on leather trim seats), sports dashboard, body kit and larger rear spoiler, sports suspension, sports seats with unique “SS” seat trim and logo six-disc in-dash CD player with MP3 compatibility and leather wrap steering wheel.
In September 2009 the VE range was updated, with improved noise and vibration levels and Suspension revisions designed to increase high-speed stability, lane-change performance and on-centre steering precision also made it into the upgrade.
A new dual exhaust system reduced noise, along with extra acoustic deadening between the cabin and the engine compartment.
