Holden Commodore SS Storm 2014 Review

With all the fuss about Lowndesy's SS-V Commodore, it could be too easy to overlook the bargain SS Storm model at $43,490 or $500 bucks over the standard SS.

Sure, the V8 Supercar channelling Lowndesy gets four piston Brembos, revised suspension bushes, 20-inch alloys, numbered production and the new whiz-bang paddle shift but do you really need that stuff?
Answer, not really.

KIT

The Storm specifies plenty of driver assist kit including auto park assist, satnav, cross traffic view from the rear view camera, blind spot alert, front foggies, electric park brake, hill hold function as well as special 18-inch Storm alloys, a snappier interior with red stitching and a host of other goodies.

It's a great deal especially when you look at what you get from the Europeans in a smaller car for more money. Safety is a strong five stars.

UNDER THE BONNET

In performance terms, the Storm is pretty good with reasonable get-go from its big engine.

But the big old 6.0-litre V8 is a lazy bugger cranking out a measly 260kW/517Nm with the six speed auto box, a tad more for the six speed manual.

The paddle shift would have been a handy inclusion in Storm but no, and no to leather seats either (not available). Oh well, can't have everything.

The old-school overhead valve engine features cylinder deactivation, called Active Fuel Management, that possibly makes a slight difference to fuel consumption which averaged around 12.5-litres/100km on the test drive. 

You can actually feel and hear the AFM system operating but not to the point where it's a problem. We put 91 in the second tank but 95 or better theoretically boosts engine output - and performance... couldn't tell the difference.

PERFORMANCE

In performance terms, the Storm is pretty good with reasonable get-go from its big engine. A 2.0-litre sporty turbo four would have it for brekky. But the Storm sounds pretty good with a muted V8 burble oozing from quad exhaust tips.

Handling with the FE2 suspension calibration is along the same vein as engine performance - middling comfort/sporty. It gets a bit untidy when you start pushing things though the limited slip diff gives it plenty of drive out of corners. The electronic stability control system is over sensitive (pessimistic).

Storm SS has revised electro-hydraulic steering that seems to impart more feel but the weight of the car, estimated at around 1800kg, tells in the tight stuff.

INTERIOR

There's plenty to make you happy inside - goodies like partial electric driver's seat adjustment, OK audio with SIRI voice control, Bluetooth phone and audio streaming, pre-loaded apps, MyLink infotainment system, auto wipers and headlights, dual zone climate control and cruise control. But the Bluetooth needs re-selection every time you switch off. The rear seats have a 60/40 folding function and there's a full size alloy spare in the boot.

LOOKS

SS Storm is a big, boofy, bogan-mobile smicked-up with some modest body add-ons. It has daytime running lights, attractive alloys, aggressive stance, quad exhausts, rear wing, alloy pedals, and...remote start from the key fob- a Sunday barbie must-have.