Holden Commodore 2004 Review

This is the new VZ model with fresh bodywork, a new fascia, new radiator grille, a single sports bar, new textured mesh inserts and a compact headlamp design.

But it is not the big news in the VZ model range release. That belongs to the 3.6-litre V6 Alloytec engine that lifts power from 152kW to either 175kW or 190kW, depending on the model.

This is the V8 that lifts power only 5kW to 250kW.

But it is married to a new six-gear manual transmission that is big and purposeful. Hefty, if you like.

It's hefty to use, in feel and in sound.

The Tremec box has shorter gearing than the six-speed in the VYII with a long sixth gear that pulls 100km/h at less than 1500rpm.

Thanks to 470Nm of maximum torque and plenty of that available at just 1500rpm, it will perform highway passing manoeuvres without having to drop back a cog.

The good news about the new transmission is that you can shove it in almost any gear without protest.

That is something I have found difficult in previous V8 Commodores and Monaros, especially coming down the gears.

The bad news is that you need muscles.

It is a big gearbox with a long, stiff and time-consuming throw from first, third and fifth to second, fourth and sixth.

As you shift gears, the revs drop, but it doesn't really matter with all that torque available.

Just don't count on slick shifts.

Not that you'll need it for the red light derby, anyway, as it red lines at 5600rpm and in first gear you can be pulling 100km/h.

Making the whole transaction a little more brutish is the energy sapping long-travel clutch pedal.

On the other side, the volume pedal now has Electronic Throttle Control which improves feel as computers take away abrupt power delivery, no matter how hard you kick it.

And when you do, there is a subtle low growl from the new dual exhausts.

Not exactly Monaro mumbo, but a note of distinction all the same.

With this much "go", it also needs plenty of "stop". Holden has upgraded the brakes with a new Bosch ABS system that worked without the violent kickback I have experienced in previous Holdens.

And feel is aided by Brake Assist, while stability is enhanced by Electronic Brakeforce Distribution; a whole new world to drivers of Holden's V8s.

It won't go, stop and handle without decent wheels and rubber, so Holden has amply supplied it with 235mm wide tyres with a sexy 45 profile on 17-inch five-spoke alloys.

Inside, there is little that has changed, but the red and black textured mesh inserts are not only ugly, but also uncomfortable.

They are flat and lack support.

Two other grumbles.

Quality control is a problem when the test car has an instrument LCD panel that keeps going crazy.

And it is not the first time we have experienced this.

Also, the fuel gauge was all over the place.

When the needle dipped into the red, I poured $10 of unleaded in and it registered almost half full, despite having a 75 litre tank.

After 20 minutes, the low fuel level warning sounded and the needle was right down on the "E".

I stopped, switched the ignition off and on again. The fuel needle showed a quarter full.