HSV News

Mark Skaife has just taken the crown with a 271.44km/h blast down the deserted bitumen strip at the disused Woomera test range in South Australia.The V8 Supercar ace cranked out a maximum speed of 277.16km/h in the stock-standard Maloo, but his entry in the Guiness World Record books is a two-way average to eliminate any wind assistance.Still, it was easily better than the previous mark of 248.78km/h set by a Dodge Ram SR-T with an 8.3-litre V10 motor in 2004.Chris Sheedy from Guiness World Record was present to monitor and certify the record attempt, which was for the Fastest Production Pick- up/utility.Around 100 members of the local Woomera community also watched the runs. Skaife says there were no dramas with the Maloo or its speed and is happy to have a new trophy in his collection."Records are made to be broken, I think this one will stay for some time to come!", Skaife says.

1. Aren't you supposed to be retired?"My latest business card says I am John Crennan of HSV."So, I am retired. It is just that I have elected to spend 60 hours a week in this business, rather than just sit on the beach or in the bar or in a newsagency every day."I genuinely loathe titles. I have never singed a letter as managing director or chairman of HSV."2. Can't you stop working?"It is probably a combination of enjoying the work and, with the racing activities coming back to Tom Walkingshaw, the amount of work involved in the organisational, marketing and commerical side of that. It was reasonably important that I got hold of that and put it back to full speed."The combination of that happening at the same time as I was going to wind back has changed things a bit for me."3. What is the difference in your new role with HSV as chairman?"Oh, look, probably the major differenece operationally is that instead of having eight people report to me I only have three. And, in that, it allows me to do a lot of projects that hopefully will provide even more brand enhancement for HSV and more opportunities for the group."One of those is a 'World of HSV' project that I've been working on for six months. It's an umbrella brand that embodies our innovation and passion with a range of activities. So it's cars, dealers customers, consumers, the internet, motoring shows."And we're going to have a very big presnce at the race meetings now, involving PWR, Tasman, Toll, and HSV and HRT. It's our suite of other brands."4. That sounds like a fulltime job?"I am working those 60 hours. But it's being done on some projects that I have always wanted to do for the betterment of our business."5. So you carry the HSV torch?"Look, this is now a younger person's business and I hope I can be developing and grooming the people who will eventually carry the torch."I'm very happy with this backroom role. But every now and then I will jump out to the front of the shop when I think it is necessary."I think I understand the core DNA of what is HSV and what makes an HSV customer."6. So, looking forward, what is the future for HSV?"In terms of what will be different, hopefully a lot more exports. And a lot more leveraging of our motorsport activities into other busienss areas, such as the aftermarket and setting standards in the aftermarket that will be the benchmark."And, most importantly, delivering and exceeding Holden's expectations of what they want from us."Our mantra going forward is 'where everything high performance lives', that is what HSV is."

1. How is the fuel price crisis affecting Holden Special Vehicles?"Well, the fuel price has come down from its crisis peak. And if you look at our sales, it hasn't affected it."But that hasn't bred any complacency. We're always looking at fuel economy improvements and we are extending our product portofilo. "We didn't look at the Astra VXR thing as a fuel economy project, but it will be more fuel efficient than the large cars."Our LS2 V8 engine, our owners are telling us, is around 10 per cent more fuel efficient and that's in our thinking every time we upgrade the engine."2. Are V8 HSV buyers less worried about fuel?"I have spoken to the owners clubs about it, and they were almost insulted that I raised it."3. Going back to the Astra VXR, do you have timing yet for the new HSV compact coupe?"The firm date is when the boat arrives. It will be either late July or early August. It's locked in."We haven't yet finally announced the retail price, but it will be under $43,000."The specificaiton is a mixuture of Opel features and Vauxhall features, which is unique to us at HSV, but it will essentially be identical to the Vauxhall car and that is the one that journalists are raving about in the UK."It comes in four colours and there is a unique blue on the car that is not availableo on any other Astra."We're going to be supplying the market in small batches to create desire and exclusivity. We are deliberately going lower with our orders than what the demand is."4. This year you've also got the runout of the Coupe. Anything special on that front?"We're still finalising our plans. So we haven't decided how to give the thing a last hurrah."I like the idea of auctioning the last one. But you'll have to wait and see.5. Presumably you're down the track with VE? What is the core thinking behind the HSV versions of the new Commodore?"Crikey, we're almost at the end of the track. But I don't want to say too much, because the car is still some way away."But I can say that it will be an even bigger change for HSV than it is for Holden."I think we've been pretty tight-lipped about what is in it, because there is a lot of change."No-one seems to be talking about us yet on VE, which suits me."6. You have just created a Walkinshaw Performance Products division. What is its role and how does it interact with HSV?"It is another area in our group that deals with excitement, and that was the arm that managed the Bahrain one-make race car project."From that w'ell spin off a whole series of upgrades that we can offer customers to enhance the performance of their cars."And there will be more ideas along those lines to explore, not just in this country but also in export markets, that can spin off business opportunities for the HSV group.

The choice, price, equipment, security, safety and quality is better in 2004 than it has been at any time in the history of the car Down Under.It sounds like a big call, but it's not.Australian cars have been getting better and better for more than 15 years, and apart from such blips as the AU Falcon, improvements have delivered never-better showroom deals. Sales of the big Aussie sixes have fallen a bit, mostly because families have migrated into four-wheel-drives, but the cars themselves are world-class machines.And with starting prices just past $30,000, or even less at the moment for a Mitsubishi Magna, they are also world-class bargains.The real proof of the improvements is the growing number of Australian-made cars being shipped overseas.The Toyota Camry is a huge success in the Middle East, Holden is building support for its Chevrolet-badged Commodore exports, the Monaro-turned-Pontiac GTO is finally starting to fire in the US and Mitsubishi even had a short-lived run with Magnas in the US.It should only take time, and the next all-new models in late 2006, before the all-wheel-drive Ford Territory and Holden Adventra, and perhaps even the work-and-play Crewman Cross8, also set sail overseas.Picking the best of the best from the local crop is tougher than ever.The Mitsubishi Magna is a good car, and a worthy family friend, but only runs fourth in today's rankings. It beats the Toyota Avalon, which is looking more and more like a taxi-only champion, but cannot match the all-round strengths of the Camry, Commodore and Falcon.The Ford, Holden and Toyota have all been updated this year.Taking a broad sweep through the locals, we rate the Falcon first. It's a close call, but in most cases it's the one we'd recommend to our friends and family.And the Falcon-based Territory is a winner. It's a Falcon with attitude and a high-rider cabin for families.The latest Commodore is a top car, and the new Alloytec V6 does a good job in the VZ model, but it doesn't ring our bell. We love the sporty V8 SS, the Caprice and the HSV hero cars, but Holden is just a couple of points behind in the overall scoring.The Camry? It's a classy car, and ruthlessly efficient in almost every area, but doesn't have the personality or punch of its rivals. That's why Toyota is pushing the Sportivo model, and working on a 2006 model that will have more personality than any previous Camry.Our ratings look at the individual star cars, some of the class champions and give an overall ranking of the Australian heroes of 2004.1. Ford Territory RWDLowdown: The rear-wheel-drive (RWD) is the first local to fill the gap between family car and 4WD. A Falcon wagon in disguise but more than a short-term fix.Verdict: Heavyweight off-roader that drives like a Falcon, with a friendly turning circle and punchy six. The rear-drive TX is the best value and drops the all-paw drive most people will never need.Plus: Light and easy to handle, with a big wagon body.Minus: Not as capable as a LandCruiser in the bush. Comes as a six-cylinder auto only.Rating: 18/20Former boss Geoff Polites had to sell the project in Detroit to win $500 million to make the $38,990 car in Broadmeadows alongside the Falcon. The Territory should ensure the Falcon's survival by giving a double-edged return on future investment.2. Holden Commodore SSLowdown: The best-value sports sedan on Australian roads. It has even forced HSV to rethink its Commodore performance cars, and is first choice with police pursuit drivers.Verdict: The one to have when you want an Aussie V8 muscle car with real driving enjoyment.Plus: Punchy 5.7-litre V8 with sporty handling, but still with Commodore comfort.Minus: Not as refined as an XR Falcon.Rating: 17/20If any car sets the standard for performance motoring in Australia, it's the SS Commodore at $50,990. It is more raw than an XR Falcon, but delivers the sort of stonking punch owners expect when they dream of a hot lap at Mount Panorama.3. Ford Falcon XTLowdown: The starter car in the Falcon family reflects all of the BA update work at a value price and with plenty of gear.Verdict: Tough but surprisingly refined. Punchy 4.0-litre in-line six has the edge over the Commodore's hi-tech Alloytec V6.Plus: Elegant styling with a rugged and well-proven mechanical package, plus good-value equipment.Minus: A bit rugged in some areas, fuel economy not great.Rating: 17/20When Ford decided to dump the Forte from the AU family it knew the BA base model had to hit all targets. The XT does the job well from just $34,255 with aircon, airbags, CD sound and electric mirrors. Ford has also stopped painting Falcons yellow to discourage their use as taxis.Ford Falcon GT 18/20Price: From $61,000Engine: 5.4-litre quad-cam V8The born-again GT is very quick and very refined. The loudest thing about it are the racy stripes being chosen by most owners. But when the going gets tough, it's going and gone.Ford Falcon 17/20Price: From $34,255Engine: 4.0-litre inline sixThe latest BA looks surprisingly elegant over the unloved AU basics, but it's the solid mechanical package and punchy performance that gives the Falcon a narrow edge over the Commodore.A six-speed manual gearbox is new in the BAII but the rest of the deal is more about value.Ford Territory 17/20Price: From $38,990Engine: 4.0-litre inline sixRated as a complete range, the Territory is very good but not quite great. The four-wheel-drive package costs an extra $4000 but you cannot get a V8 or manual gearbox. Still, a better choice for anyone looking at an imported 4x4.Holden Caprice 17/20Price: From $69,650Engine: 3.6-litre V6The long-wheelbase flagship has benefited from a makeover that gives it sharper styling and more driving enjoyment than the Statesman. Needs a V8 to do its best work, but the best choice for Australians who want everything in a local car.HSV GTO Coupe 17/20Price: From $78,690Engine: 6-litre V8The latest Z-Series Monaro from HSV has moved the bar on local muscle. The bigger V8 developed for the US Pontiac GTO is a welcome addition and restores bragging rights to the hot Holden shop. A bit raw but very quick.Ford Fairlane 16/20Price: $55,500Engine: 4-litre inline sixReversing the Holden deal, the Fairlane is better than the LTD. It has been tweaked for drivers but still feels a bit old and clunky compared with the Caprice.Holden Commodore 16/20Price: From $33,160Engine: 3.6-litre V6The VZ Commodore update brought the new Alloytec V6 and a considerably more refined car. But the value is not as good as a Falcon's and you have to pay extra for the power-up engine and five-speed automatic. That's enough to push it back behind the Falcon.Toyota Camry 15/20Price: From $32,000Engines: 3.0-litre V6Still operates like whitegoods on wheels, as efficient as a fridge with similar personality, and that's its greatest strength and weakness. Needs more visual punch and driving personality, which Toyota promises (once again) is coming with the new model in 2006.Mitsubishi Magna 13/20Price: From $33,210Engine: 3.5-litre V6The unloved local was done no favours by its nose job in 2003 or questions about Mitsubishi's future in 2004. Still a good car, but looking very dated. Mitsubishi is doing great deals to get cars moving, but the all-new 2005 Magna can't come too soon.Toyota Camry Sportivo 12/20Price: From $38,500Engine: 3.0-litre V6The Sportivo is proof Toyota wants a performance car, but also proves how far it is off the pace. It has a wonderful chassis and a spirited V6, but not nearly enough muscle or impact to compete with HSV of FPV.Toyota Avalon 11/20Price: $30,990Engine: 3.0-litre V6The plain Jane of the Aussie car family. Nice enough, but bland and boring. Has never delivered the promised challenge to the Falcon and Commodore and now doing very good business as a taxi. That says it all.Mitsubishi Verada 11/20Price: $42,950Engine: 3.5-litre V6The Verada highlights the shortcomings of the Magna range, despite impressive equipment and a refined cabin. It comes in only one body style, doesn't have enough style for the luxury class, and takes a heavy hit on the second-hand scene.