Even though it’s not as famous as its Frankfurt, Paris, Tokyo or Detroit counterparts, this year’s edition of the Australian Motor Show, which takes place in Melbourne from July 1 to 10, has some interesting debuts including the Mad Max Concepts pictured above as well as a number of new production and prototype models from the local divisions of General Motors (aka Holden) and Ford. You can take a look at all the vehicles in our comprehensive photo gallery right after the break. For those of you interested in learning more about the Ford-badged Mad Max Interceptor prototypes, check out our previous post here.
General Motors has began delivering its first 2011 Chevrolet Caprice Police Patrol Vehicle (PPV) to law enforcement officers across the U.S. Among the first to receive GM’s new patrol car are police departments in Forsyth County, Georgia and Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Forsyth County Sheriff Ted Paxton said that after trying out the Chevy for a month his office decided to replace its current fleet of around 175 other patrol vehicles with Caprice PPVs.
Holden Special Vehicles (HSV) has unveiled the special edition "SV Black Edition" based on either ClubSport R8, ClubSport Tourer R8, or Maloo R8 models at the Melbourne Auto Show. This special edition will be offered in both manual and automatic transmissions and will go on sale in September.
The "SV Black Edition" will be offered with matte black detailing, a Vector hood scoop and fender gills, HSV’s bi-modal exhaust system, and 20-inch forged alloy wheels. For the interior, the Black Edition models will add a unique dash treatment, leather seats, and a leather-bound steering wheel, on top of the already generous E3 equipment list. A special Enhanced Driver Interface (EDI) system that will offer details on power, torque, manifold pressure, fuel, elevation, voltage, oil and air temperature will also be available.
The standard equipment list includes a reversing camera, park assist, and satellite navigation. There will only be 225 units built and, despite the "Black Edition" name, this special edition will be offered in Sting Red, Heron White, Alto Grey, Nitrate Silver, and Phantom (black).
Exterior and Interior
The Holden Clubsport R8 SV Black Edition has been dressed to impressed, even for its lofty standards. Befitting its designation as a ’Black Edition’, the Australian muscle car features exterior details that include "Vector hood scoops, new side vents, matte black trims on both the front and side of the car, a new lip spoiler, and a set of gloss black 20" forged SV Performance alloy wheels. The car also comes with a choice of five color finishes, including Phantom Black, Alto Grey, Nitrate, Heron, and Sting. We’re not exactly sure what part of the color wheel features ’Heron’ and ’Sting’, but we’re not going to begin questioning these guys.
Over at the interior, the additions feature a new Onyx leather trim, a new console and instrument panel finish, a new steering wheel, and special edition sill plates.
Performance
Unfortunately, Holden Special Vehicles didn’t perform any engine upgrades on the Clubsport R8 SV Black Edition, instead ’settling’ for the existing 6.2-liter LS3 V8 engine that produces 425 horsepower. Despite the lack of bump in the performance department, 425 ponies is still might impressive for an Australian muscle.
Pricing
The Clubsport R8 SV Black Edition is limited to just 100 units with each one costing around AUD$67,990, which is around $73,000 based on current exchange rates.
Competition
On the same day Holden Special Vehicles introduced the R8 SV Black Edition at the Australian International Motor Show, its main rival in the Australian market also introduced their very first concept car, the Ford Falcon GTV Concept.
Ford’s new Australian muscle car concept is powered by a 5.0-liter Boss V8 engine that produces 449 horsepower and 423 lb/ft of torque. These numbers are more impressive than the Clubsport R8 SV Black Edition, but there’s one advantage the Holden muscle car has over its Ford rival: unlike the latter, the former is ready to go on sale, albeit on a limited basis.
General Motor’s Holden Special Vehicles unit in Australia is following in the footsteps of Mercedes-Benz’s AMG division as well as more recently, Porsche, with the presentation of a black-themed and named special edition series based on the E Series 3 range launched last September. Making its world debut at the 2011 Australian motorshow in Melbourne, the SV Black Edition package is offered in the ClubSport R8, Maloo R8 and ClubSport R8 Tourer, which are the sports versions of the Commodore sedan, ute, and station wagon models respectively.
It’s a global economy we live in and as such, it doesn’t come to much of a surprise when we see the same vehicles launched under different brands and names in various parts of the world. Of course, it would be somewhat unfair to Holden if we didn’t mention that it has played a key role in the development and design of several GM products including the 5-door Cruze that will be show in pre-production trim at the 2011 Australian International Motor Show (AIMS), which takes place in Melbourne from July to 10.
The thundering sounds of Australia’s V8-powered racecars will soon be heard in the U.S.A. as Texas Governor Rick Perry and Queensland Premier Anna Bligh, announced today a five-year agreement to bring the famed Australian V8 Supercar series to the new Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas beginning in 2013. "The addition of V8 Supercars into our lineup at Circuit of The Americas will add to what we already know will be a rich and exhilarating fan experience," said Steve Sexton, President of Circuit of The Americas.
Appearing soon after General Motors announced its Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing, the Cruze – which launched in Oz almost two years ago– aims to appeal to buyers that would normally not buy a Holden. Its key competitors in the Australian market are the Toyota Corolla, Mazda3 and the (European) Ford Focus. With the recent launch of the Aussie-built Cruze Series II, we thought it was about time we tackled GM’s “game changing” small car. The 1.4 L turbo is said to be the cherry on top of the Cruze cake, and the perfect target for a review. The question is: can it live up to the hype?
Of course, it would be somewhat unfair to Holden if we didn’t mention that it has played a key role in the development and design of several GM products including the 5-door Cruze that will be show in pre-production trim at the 2011 Australian International Motor Show (AIMS), which takes place in Melbourne from July to 10.
With the recent launch of the Aussie-built Cruze Series II, we thought it was about time we tackled GM’s “game changing” small car. The 1.4 L turbo is said to be the cherry on top of the Cruze cake, and the perfect target for a review. The question is: can it live up to the hype?
Holden Efijy Concept
Holden Efijy Concept Interior
Holden Efijy Concept
2010 Holden Cruze Front View
2010 Holden Cruze Interior
2010 Holden Cruze Wallpaper
2010 Holden Cruze Exotic Car