Not only waving goodbye to the Commodore, we've now waved goodbye to Holden in its entirety. I'm not even a huge Holden fan, but it's very sad to see the end of seventy years of Holden cars in Australia, so much a part of Australian scenery and psyche.
i drive a v6 evoke as my company car 2017 and spend 8 hrs a day in it...honestly its a bucket of sh!&e, i always loved the way they look- but driving one is a let down- low down its a slug- i own a volvo s60 rdesign 3 litre turbo and it puts it to shame...i can see why they killed off holden- the new commodore ieuropean insignia apparently is more peppy- yet to drive one of those though...
Honestly I have always hated the design of the falcons and commodore, too big, too heavy. But without the culture around them motorsports would not be as large in Australia as it is. They will be missed
@@Pheatan some would argue that the V8 supercar vs the Australian touring car racing where you had BMW, and GTR Godzilla, you had alfa etc was the glory days and supercars ruined it...look at production improved racing...it's awesome...cars of different makes catching up, then pulling away opportunities to pass..very exciting
Here's to all the workers, engineers and designers at General Motors Holden. Since 1931 you have built many great cars and starting in 1948, cars that were essentially all-Australian. There were some duds along the way but by and large Holdens were well-built to withstand the rigours of our vast and variable continent and emerge relatively unscathed. They were, and are, tough cars. My father owned many Holdens and I have as well. I started driving in a venerable '63 EH Holden "special" 179 ci 6 with a three-on-the-tree transmission right through to an HT "Premier" (semi luxury car). Later on I owned a couple of Japanese cars ( because the missus wanted small cars) but when I found out that the Detroit bean counters were going to kill GMH I made a decision to support the workers there by buying a brand new VF Commodore (2016) Sportwagon in pearlescent black. It's the best car I have ever owned, from the fit and finish to the way it handles and drives to the comfort of its seats. My whole family loves it, so does doggy who loves the huge tailgate area. So often Aussies are seen as happy dimwits living in a country full of spiders and snakes that can kill you. Aussies swilling bear and acting like halfwits. There are people like that (we call them "bogans") but the reality is much different. Due to massive waves of immigration Australia grew up in the 60s to become a pretty sophisticated bastion of western values and learning in part of the world where westerners normally don't live. In the 60s Australia was the "can do" country and we made everything...literally everything here in our own country. From the socks and undies you wore to the radios you listened to right to the tvs you watched and the early computers you used (Microbees and Aussie-made IBM PCs). It was a wonderful time to grow up in...virtually full employment and a rosy future for all. Then globalisation came along...sponsored by the multi-nationals and the bastards at the IMF and World Bank. Suddenly China became the world's factory. Holden weathered the storm fairly well, only almost coming to an end in the mid 80s because quality was allowed to slip in favour of production numbers. Then the management at Holden had a good re-think and came up with the first of many very good Commodores starting with the 1988 VN model. The "V" series improved with each iteration and build quality improved as well. The VE model of 2007 involved a massive investment and was totally Australian from the ground up. It was so good it sold around the world from China (as a Buick Royaum) to Brazil as a Chevy Nova to the Middle East, also as a Chevy Nova. It still makes my blood boil that the bastards at GM US would never let the export nations know the true origin of the cars...they were Australian Holden Commodores built with left hand drive (though dealers often pointed this fact out...most of the export nations knowing that Holden built cars for tough conditions). I am most angry that Chevy sells the VF HSV sedan as a "Chevy SS" without telling Americans it really is a Holden. For the most part the American owners love the humble Aussie export. So now that woman running GM has, with a swipe of her pen, killed many years of manufacturing Holdens and we now have to make do with imported Opels with front wheel drive which have been "toughened" for "Australian Conditions"! Bull! I will never buy one simply out of respect for the workers at Holden's Elizabeth plant who, despite the sword of Damocles hanging over their careers (the plant closes later this year), are still building one of the world's finest rear-drive sedans and wagons selling at a reasonable price and not the prices the German makers ask for. Vale Holden...I will shed a tear in October when the great Hamilton Presses go quiet for the first time since the late 30s, the robots stop wielding the body panels together and the work teams stop putting the seats, dashboards and engines into the finest cars ever made in this country. Hold your heads high...you should be proud of your achievements. As for GM US and that lady boss... I hope GM takes a real dive and gets eaten up by another maker. Then you will understand what you have done to Australians who still remember the famous advertising jingle Holden used in the 50s and 60s..."Holden-Australia's Own Car".
tripsadelica yeah that's a real shame. My favourite car and always has been a Maloo ute. have only had the pleasure of owning a 99 V6 a 2005 v6 and currently a 2001ss all Utes 😀😀.. Finally got my hands on a V8 SS and I love the thing to bits.... I'm gonna hold onto this as long as I can and do the engine and interior improvements. Such a joy to listen to and drive around in. One day I'll get my Maloo ute!!
@@nicksaveka5078 have a 7/2000 built vs ss ute, one of the rarest motor cars ever mass produced in oz (300) and i would never even dream of parting with her. The only aussie designed and built v8 (253/308/304) Sure LS motors are easier to get power from but the aussie 5 litre is in my opinion the best sounding pushrod engine ever made
i worked for futuris automotive making the seats and other interior parts for holdens, worked there till the last seat kit left for holdens out our factory over the bridge and straight into holdens. still drive passed holdens everyday to get to my new job, miss working there lots of geat people.i got a 2008 ve ss-v ute manual and a 1985 ve hdt sv calais director (also known as a BROCKY) and i'll be dead before i ever part with them ...
They are brilliant track day cars too, in Australia they copt so much flak from the haters, when in reality they beat most euro cars, J Bowe put one against an e63, .5 sec quicker a lap at Winton, and .5 is a lot on just one lap! You can see on my channel what they can get up to, happy motoring!
Thanks for telling it how it is mate. A truly shameful stain on our government that Holden has closed down but wouldn’t expect anything else from pollies and big corporation👍
Thank you, Australia, for being the only other country in the world besides us here in the USA that "got" the V8 muscle car, and made some amazing ones.
Australia is a big country so muscle cars are well suited here. Muscle cars are not really suited for the UK so you cannot blame them from not understanding muscle cars.
@@tomnewham1269 What’s to say the uk don’t make muscle cars? If a muscle cars ingredients are outrageous looks, loud noise and a powerful engine then there are loads of manufacturers in uk and the rest of Europe that make “muscle cars”. Take TVR for example, or Audi in the 2000s with their 4.2 v8 s5 and rs5s. Car reviewers often say the Holden vxr8 is a cheap alternative to the m5 too.
@@harryaldridge8800 I feel like the Australians did sedan and big coupe ones better. The Brits did sports car V8s more but for price the Australians won. The Brits won on range of different types (everything from Morgans to TVRs) but both were interesting. Yes, the Germans made V8s but at a MUCH higher price than the Australian ones or for the most part even the British ones.
@Furio We were let down by the liberal australian government who withdrew the govt subsidy after nearly 70 years when that was the basis on which GM decided to manufacture in Australia in the first place. Holden (not GM) also dropped the ball however. Ironically, while Australians moved to purchasing smaller cars and cheap imports and SUV's, Holden continued to work on making one of the best sedans in the world which they pretty much achieved in the end with the VF model. Problem was the world had moved on by that time and no-one in Australia wanted big sedans anymore so the govt of the time didnt see the point in subsidising the manufacture of a car the Australian public no longer wanted. Such a shame, because the VF really was a world class model in its standard form, but with the HSV mod's it really had become a 'special vehicle'. I know, because I own one and I've purchased holdens since I was a teenager. They really are a dream to drive, so much so I am getting a W547 Walkinshaw upgrade shortly. Just glad I own one.
@@Freedom_Now_2024 - It all started with the "Button Plan" in the mid 1980s, under the Labor government. Both sides of politics are as guilty as each each for the loss of our automotive industry, indeed manufacturing in general.
That’s actually an American car. All parts are from GM and from America. You guys just put it together there in Australia and call it Australian mads. But really it’s American. It’s General Motors, which is in Detroit, Michigan, USA. Abs that car is actually a Pontiac, but the car company is long gone
@@kie-skatemods4141 no, you’ couldn’t be more wrong with this uninformed and parochial comment. Yes Holden was owned by GM, but this vehicle was 100% designed by Holden in Australia, from the ground up - the platform is called the Zeta platform and itself was designed and engineered by Holden from a clean-sheet, and subsequently used in North American GM brand cars because Holden could do it more efficiently and effectively than any of the other GM brands en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GM_Zeta_platform While it has some GM common components like all GM cars, over 90% of components for Commodore were sourced from Australian suppliers. Pontic did NOTHING other than swap some badges for this vehicle and certainly did not develop it - no idea where you’re getting your information from, but commodore has a history ties more to Germany than the USA via the German arm of GM, Opel But nothing could save Holden or in a real sense, it’s owners GM which went bankrupt and had to be bailed out by the US government - it’s barely clinging on to relevance against the industry’s global power players, VW, Toyota and Hyundai motor group.
I have on of these, my second and i absolutely love it. as fun to Bimble in as to thrash. sounds amazing, loads of space and people dont know what it is 😁 , wouldn't swap it for any German supersaloon
The interior (and exterior) of that car looks quite nice, actually. It also looks like a lot more fun than any equivalent (and more expensive) German sports sedan. It's also rarer.
i have an R8 i have had a c63 this is far more exciting to drive,no where near as refined as the AMG alas this is a true modern day muscle car...worth every cent and dollar, sad to know these wont be around when my boy grows up he is only 2 but loves the noise of the thing , i grew up with Holden and HSV. thanks .
Enjoy watching your post Bro and it’s a honour for Vauxhall to share part ownership as their line up as well with Chevy to our Aussie Muscle Car Holden HSV ✊🏽💯 from 🇦🇺
When it comes to bang for your buck,what you get versus what you miss out on and that "feel" you get from certain cars,the VF Holden Commodore Series II Redline and the whole HSV range(especially the GTSR and W1)have to be in the Top 10 cars. Ever. And considering the Walkinshaw upgrades available to make them even more potent,there can be little doubt. RIP Holden RIP Commodore.....
It's great seeing people in other countries who 'really get' our Aussie cars. As an Aussie I've loved Japanese cars all my driving life, but we ended up needing a big, well priced sedan for us and our 3 teenage boys. I bought a near new VE Commodore V6 (one model earlier than the VF in the video) and was pleasantly surprised by the level of refinement for such a cheap car at the time. It's a shame that Holden Australia just did not / would not adapt with the times and produce what the bulk of customers wanted (SUVs) Sad to see Holden go, they were never going to survive with Daewoo and Opel products in the showroom, they aren't suited to our country.
It's a Chevy. They still sell rear-drive 6.2L supercharged cars in America. You can even buy an S.C. 6.2L LS3 engine from G.M. and drop it in whatever you want.
@@21jimmyo The car is a 100% Australian designed car. It does have a Chev drivetrain, but the car is the last Australian designed and built car before GM closed Holden down.
@@brocksinclair66 LOL..... Sure since it was a semi-unibody design originally based on the 1964 Nova. Besides GM owned Holden like it owned Chevy and all of its other brands. Shared concepts and designs are just the way GM did business.
Possibly the last is up for auction now. A Holden Maloo Ute in highest performance W1 spec, one of four made, is at auction online currently. Current bid $1,040,000 with nine days to go. HSV build date 29/12/2017. Already a record for an Australian built car.
I used to think Harris was the best at doing this, but that was JB at his finest, nice one! that was perhaps the best articulated driving experience I've heard. top job Bovvers :) now do the same on a Agera R :) please
Harris was the best, but that changed when he decided to become an asshole who cares about money and fame more than cars. This is why I love EVO and Drivetribe. This is the dream, real enthusiasts on proper budget, so great.
That's a bit harsh isn't it? Would you knock back an offer to host Top Gear? I sure as hell wouldn't. I think Harris is just furthering his career and that should be applauded.
All that happened with Petrolicious for example. One of their employees made a mistake and posted a couple of seconds of his Ferrari F40/F50 video. They apologized immediately, took the video down within minutes and even fired that employee. He wouldn't give them a break and said they stole his 20 million views. So pathetic. Months later, he still wouldn't let it go and roasts them on twitter for no reason. Also, saying fuck off to someone who got in his shot behind him on car stand anyone can access in freely - happened in Geneva, I believe. He acted like it was his own personal damn spot. Used to be my hero once, but now he's the worst asshole there is. Look at other (especially British) car journalist and compare them. He's the one who cocky (and asshole) as if he were 10 times better than all of them. They're equally capable GENTLEMEN and he is just another rich egoistic asshole. Harris is just a pigheaded prick, the worst kind of people.
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Love the slideways footage. Awesome car. Sad to see it go.
yesss, wish we got FGX GT-Fs and F6 typhoons instead of those Sprint variants. Continuing the already existing FPV lineup would've been a very nostalgic finishing touch to the Falcon range.
Totally agree with you man... I'm a Holden boy but my favourite car was a 2011 fg falcon xt... I picked the xt because I wanted the smoother ride... but they actually handle really well... and that naturally aspirated 4.0 straight six running on 98 is glorious when it hits redline in 2nd and 3rd... six speed ZF box brilliant 👍
Such a shame to see the death of an Australian legend. I'm glad at least some of the world got to experience these cars and fell in love with them as we did.
I like Fords, but I really like this car. When it first came out in the UK years ago, it really gave a good account of itself, I can see these going up in money like the V8 RS4 and the V10 M5
Yes, us Aussies were very upset about GM closing Holden down. I have a 2001 VU SS Ute, and even today, it still puts a smile on my face. Easy to cruise around, and plenty of power when needed.
Good review, a car that will be indeed be missed. Think you were a little harsh on the interior though, yes it's not up to par these days but it's perfectly fit for purpose and comfortable for the average citizen which is for a change rather than scrawny types which seem to be the target demographic for sporting cars at the moment but I guess you can't make a car that'll suit 100% of the people that consider it. Here in NZ it still represents good value for money given spec and performance, I'm not sure if it's the case in the U.K. though so the interior comments might bare more weight in that regard
Agreed, Holden could have specced up the interior more but it would have only added to the cost. Additionally, the VF interior was a huge step up on its VE model and I quite like it.
Such a lovely car I so want one and I will have one, one day and can I ask where you filmed that road looks amazing I the vectra vxr just now and I love her she is getting a very rare car to see now not many left ;) especially with the low mileage I have on her ;)
I love this video. I can honestly vouch for every description in this article. If you ever get a chance to own one of these cars in your life time especially to the most Vauxhall haters haha, just do it. Even if its just for a few months (because they are expensive to run) Such a fun car and after a months worth of driving it, I still have that boyish grin every time it pops and bangs x
A Holden Maloo Ute in highest performance W1 spec, one of four made, is at auction online currently. Current bid $1,040,000 with nine days to go. HSV build date 29/12/2017. Already a record for an Australian built car.
The W1 was never exported anywhere outside Australia, except New Zealand-and even then, only 20 W1's got to NZ. Besides, a car as special as the W1 is probably best enjoyed where it came from-Australia. At least in my opinion, anyway.
£20K cheaper than a BMW M3, Mercedes AMG C63, Jaguar XJR-Sport, etc, yet more powerful. And if 577hp isn't enough, there's always the GTS-R with 650+ hp! Seriously General Motors, why the hell didn't you just keep Holden producing just for this model for the global market???
Proved they couldn't organise a pissup in a brewery, not before taking 200M in government subsidies to help them stay open here. Year later money in hand do a runner without consultation.
Lad at my work place had a black saloon VXR8. Sold it for £19k because it was horrendously expensive to maintain, fuel and for little one on the way. Honestly, as daft as it sounds, we reckon he was depressed for a couple months after he sold it. I've never seen anyone as happy to own a car as he was!
They should've sold the whole range in the UK as the Vauxhall Commodore I know those two words don't go together very well but it could've helped And sell it in the US as the Chevy Camaro four door The fifth gen ZL1 was basically a GTS underneath anyway
RIP Commodore, Falcon, HSV, and FPV. (Many will not know it's legendary rival, the FPV/Falcon) At least Australia isn't missing out on all the automotive fun though. I hear we still got our design and engineering teams meaning although our production has ceased, GM and Ford's R&D will have Australian input. (eg Ford's T6)
I bet that is a nice daily driver! I am thinking of getting a Chevrolet PPV but the thing that worries me is how the spareparts are available in Europe..
Well, I don't have one of these but I do have a 2017 VF2 SS Sportswagon which is near the bottom end of the range. It has the 6.2l V8 and is an absolute pleasure to drive. I'm proud to own one of the last of the Commodores and it's the best car I've ever owned. My last 3 cars have been Commodores, the VH, the VT, now the VF2. It just doesn't seem right to call it a Vauxhall.
And here's the rub..the Australian tax payer coughed up millions of dollars in grants and incentives to keep Holden afloat. The money went straight to Detroit and GM closed Holden anyway. Same story with Ford. Mitsubishi did the same thing sending the grants back to Japan just before closing the plant in South Australia. Yep we were shafted well and truly
There are a couple of Monaros around where I live, and I see the odd VXR. Lovely, sound unlike anything else on British roads; the only issue for me in owning one would be those fuel bills...!
I don’t know why people stopped buying them. Well I lie, I do know, people are stupid and they buy into the salesman’s well rehearsed performance. I have a 2001 prov pack commodore and people are genuinely amazed at how comfortable and roomy it is. One guy was talking about how cool it was that his new Subaru had air conditioning for the back seat passengers. The bastard didn’t believe me when I said commodores have had that for at least 30 years. I suppose they actually needed aircon in the back because you could comfortably sit 3 adults in the back seat. People compare them to BMWs and Mercedes Benz’s but you have to look at the competition in their price range. They should have been compared to Toyota Camry’s or in more recent times, Kia Stingers. At this point in time, I’d be happy if them just shifted manufacturing. It’s a shame they’re gone. I really miss the ute. Even the sedan was a workhorse if you put a tow bar on it.
@@danielgreenough1065 Clarkson even said Volvo seats are the best thing this side of a RR. And a V70 is actually affordable and won't drain your wallet after the 1000 miles.
Tibor Pandza not exactly. This is a tuned version of the Chevrolet SS (VF Commodore SS-V) or, if you prefer, a sedan version of the Gen 5 Camaro ZL1. S NB probably the closest you can get is the 2nd Gen Cadillac CTS-V.
Pontiac G8 or the new Chevy SS. Too bad Pontiac was killed off just as the G8 was starting to pick up steam, and it took GM 6 years to finally get it back over here with a Chevy badge. But then they decided not to spend a single dime on marketing, so barely anyone bought them.
Not only waving goodbye to the Commodore, we've now waved goodbye to Holden in its entirety. I'm not even a huge Holden fan, but it's very sad to see the end of seventy years of Holden cars in Australia, so much a part of Australian scenery and psyche.
its very weird seeing hyundai police cars, at least in sydney. the commodore cop cars looked way better
i drive a v6 evoke as my company car 2017 and spend 8 hrs a day in it...honestly its a bucket of sh!&e, i always loved the way they look- but driving one is a let down- low down its a slug- i own a volvo s60 rdesign 3 litre turbo and it puts it to shame...i can see why they killed off holden- the new commodore ieuropean insignia apparently is more peppy- yet to drive one of those though...
Honestly I have always hated the design of the falcons and commodore, too big, too heavy. But without the culture around them motorsports would not be as large in Australia as it is. They will be missed
@@Pheatan some would argue that the V8 supercar vs the Australian touring car racing where you had BMW, and GTR Godzilla, you had alfa etc was the glory days and supercars ruined it...look at production improved racing...it's awesome...cars of different makes catching up, then pulling away opportunities to pass..very exciting
We can thank greedy unions for that, shame.
"somehow it just puts a smile on your face."
It's probably the 577 horsepower.
Here's to all the workers, engineers and designers at General Motors Holden. Since 1931 you have built many great cars and starting in 1948, cars that were essentially all-Australian. There were some duds along the way but by and large Holdens were well-built to withstand the rigours of our vast and variable continent and emerge relatively unscathed. They were, and are, tough cars.
My father owned many Holdens and I have as well. I started driving in a venerable '63 EH Holden "special" 179 ci 6 with a three-on-the-tree transmission right through to an HT "Premier" (semi luxury car). Later on I owned a couple of Japanese cars ( because the missus wanted small cars) but when I found out that the Detroit bean counters were going to kill GMH I made a decision to support the workers there by buying a brand new VF Commodore (2016) Sportwagon in pearlescent black. It's the best car I have ever owned, from the fit and finish to the way it handles and drives to the comfort of its seats. My whole family loves it, so does doggy who loves the huge tailgate area.
So often Aussies are seen as happy dimwits living in a country full of spiders and snakes that can kill you. Aussies swilling bear and acting like halfwits. There are people like that (we call them "bogans") but the reality is much different. Due to massive waves of immigration Australia grew up in the 60s to become a pretty sophisticated bastion of western values and learning in part of the world where westerners normally don't live. In the 60s Australia was the "can do" country and we made everything...literally everything here in our own country. From the socks and undies you wore to the radios you listened to right to the tvs you watched and the early computers you used (Microbees and Aussie-made IBM PCs). It was a wonderful time to grow up in...virtually full employment and a rosy future for all. Then globalisation came along...sponsored by the multi-nationals and the bastards at the IMF and World Bank. Suddenly China became the world's factory.
Holden weathered the storm fairly well, only almost coming to an end in the mid 80s because quality was allowed to slip in favour of production numbers. Then the management at Holden had a good re-think and came up with the first of many very good Commodores starting with the 1988 VN model. The "V" series improved with each iteration and build quality improved as well. The VE model of 2007 involved a massive investment and was totally Australian from the ground up. It was so good it sold around the world from China (as a Buick Royaum) to Brazil as a Chevy Nova to the Middle East, also as a Chevy Nova. It still makes my blood boil that the bastards at GM US would never let the export nations know the true origin of the cars...they were Australian Holden Commodores built with left hand drive (though dealers often pointed this fact out...most of the export nations knowing that Holden built cars for tough conditions). I am most angry that Chevy sells the VF HSV sedan as a "Chevy SS" without telling Americans it really is a Holden. For the most part the American owners love the humble Aussie export.
So now that woman running GM has, with a swipe of her pen, killed many years of manufacturing Holdens and we now have to make do with imported Opels with front wheel drive which have been "toughened" for "Australian Conditions"! Bull! I will never buy one simply out of respect for the workers at Holden's Elizabeth plant who, despite the sword of Damocles hanging over their careers (the plant closes later this year), are still building one of the world's finest rear-drive sedans and wagons selling at a reasonable price and not the prices the German makers ask for. Vale Holden...I will shed a tear in October when the great Hamilton Presses go quiet for the first time since the late 30s, the robots stop wielding the body panels together and the work teams stop putting the seats, dashboards and engines into the finest cars ever made in this country. Hold your heads high...you should be proud of your achievements. As for GM US and that lady boss... I hope GM takes a real dive and gets eaten up by another maker. Then you will understand what you have done to Australians who still remember the famous advertising jingle Holden used in the 50s and 60s..."Holden-Australia's Own Car".
tripsadelica yeah that's a real shame. My favourite car and always has been a Maloo ute. have only had the pleasure of owning a 99 V6 a 2005 v6 and currently a 2001ss all Utes 😀😀.. Finally got my hands on a V8 SS and I love the thing to bits.... I'm gonna hold onto this as long as I can and do the engine and interior improvements. Such a joy to listen to and drive around in. One day I'll get my Maloo ute!!
@@nicksaveka5078 have a 7/2000 built vs ss ute, one of the rarest motor cars ever mass produced in oz (300) and i would never even dream of parting with her. The only aussie designed and built v8 (253/308/304) Sure LS motors are easier to get power from but the aussie 5 litre is in my opinion the best sounding pushrod engine ever made
i worked for futuris automotive making the seats and other interior parts for holdens, worked there till the last seat kit left for holdens out our factory over the bridge and straight into holdens. still drive passed holdens everyday to get to my new job, miss working there lots of geat people.i got a 2008 ve ss-v ute manual and a 1985 ve hdt sv calais director (also known as a BROCKY) and i'll be dead before i ever part with them ...
They are brilliant track day cars too, in Australia they copt so much flak from the haters, when in reality they beat most euro cars, J Bowe put one against an e63, .5 sec quicker a lap at Winton, and .5 is a lot on just one lap!
You can see on my channel what they can get up to, happy motoring!
Thanks for telling it how it is mate. A truly shameful stain on our government that Holden has closed down but wouldn’t expect anything else from pollies and big corporation👍
Thank you, Australia, for being the only other country in the world besides us here in the USA that "got" the V8 muscle car, and made some amazing ones.
Australia is a big country so muscle cars are well suited here. Muscle cars are not really suited for the UK so you cannot blame them from not understanding muscle cars.
@@tomnewham1269 What’s to say the uk don’t make muscle cars? If a muscle cars ingredients are outrageous looks, loud noise and a powerful engine then there are loads of manufacturers in uk and the rest of Europe that make “muscle cars”. Take TVR for example, or Audi in the 2000s with their 4.2 v8 s5 and rs5s. Car reviewers often say the Holden vxr8 is a cheap alternative to the m5 too.
@@harryaldridge8800 Jensen Interceptor was a favorite classic, even though the engine was from Chrysler
@@harryaldridge8800 I feel like the Australians did sedan and big coupe ones better. The Brits did sports car V8s more but for price the Australians won. The Brits won on range of different types (everything from Morgans to TVRs) but both were interesting. Yes, the Germans made V8s but at a MUCH higher price than the Australian ones or for the most part even the British ones.
Germany did it better than both . The AMG C and E series sedans are the ultimate muscle cars.
A car Aussies can really be proud of... It will be missed
Well Done Your So Called Government . Just as BAD as UK Lot .All want Eco/Elec cars . So When The Nat/Grid Gets Over Loaded BANG Power CUT .Ha Ha ???
@Furio We were let down by the liberal australian government who withdrew the govt subsidy after nearly 70 years when that was the basis on which GM decided to manufacture in Australia in the first place. Holden (not GM) also dropped the ball however. Ironically, while Australians moved to purchasing smaller cars and cheap imports and SUV's, Holden continued to work on making one of the best sedans in the world which they pretty much achieved in the end with the VF model. Problem was the world had moved on by that time and no-one in Australia wanted big sedans anymore so the govt of the time didnt see the point in subsidising the manufacture of a car the Australian public no longer wanted. Such a shame, because the VF really was a world class model in its standard form, but with the HSV mod's it really had become a 'special vehicle'. I know, because I own one and I've purchased holdens since I was a teenager. They really are a dream to drive, so much so I am getting a W547 Walkinshaw upgrade shortly. Just glad I own one.
@@Freedom_Now_2024 - It all started with the "Button Plan" in the mid 1980s, under the Labor government. Both sides of politics are as guilty as each each for the loss of our automotive industry, indeed manufacturing in general.
That’s actually an American car. All parts are from GM and from America. You guys just put it together there in Australia and call it Australian mads. But really it’s American. It’s General Motors, which is in Detroit, Michigan, USA. Abs that car is actually a Pontiac, but the car company is long gone
@@kie-skatemods4141 no, you’ couldn’t be more wrong with this uninformed and parochial comment. Yes Holden was owned by GM, but this vehicle was 100% designed by Holden in Australia, from the ground up - the platform is called the Zeta platform and itself was designed and engineered by Holden from a clean-sheet, and subsequently used in North American GM brand cars because Holden could do it more efficiently and effectively than any of the other GM brands en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GM_Zeta_platform
While it has some GM common components like all GM cars, over 90% of components for Commodore were sourced from Australian suppliers. Pontic did NOTHING other than swap some badges for this vehicle and certainly did not develop it - no idea where you’re getting your information from, but commodore has a history ties more to Germany than the USA via the German arm of GM, Opel
But nothing could save Holden or in a real sense, it’s owners GM which went bankrupt and had to be bailed out by the US government - it’s barely clinging on to relevance against the industry’s global power players, VW, Toyota and Hyundai motor group.
Ever since top gea reviewed the first VXR8 all those years ago, fell in love with it.
40 yrs of racing pedigree. Evolution from the Hardie Ferrodo 500 mile race at Bathurst in NSW Australia
200 km west of Sydney CBD .
Nearly cried when they stopped this car. It’s been my favourite car since I first laid eyes on it.
#metoo ☹😥
With a manual gearbox.!!
Same! So glad I bought the last model before they were gone. 😢
I have on of these, my second and i absolutely love it. as fun to Bimble in as to thrash. sounds amazing, loads of space and people dont know what it is 😁 , wouldn't swap it for any German supersaloon
Wolfdog clearly you can’t afford a German car let alone a supersaloon.
Ben and Wayne what German super saloon do you have?
@@waynepantry7023 "over long distances there is no better car than the VXR8" - so why would I want to buy a German super saloon?
@@ar12. there no fun.
@@julianalderson6996 your telling me German super saloons are no fun.
So sad!!! A massively underrated piece of kit!!!
Such an amazing vehicle, the VF HSV is truly the best aussie car we have built....
Agreed i have one !
The interior (and exterior) of that car looks quite nice, actually. It also looks like a lot more fun than any equivalent (and more expensive) German sports sedan. It's also rarer.
i have an R8 i have had a c63 this is far more exciting to drive,no where near as refined as the AMG alas this is a true modern day muscle car...worth every cent and dollar, sad to know these wont be around when my boy grows up he is only 2 but loves the noise of the thing , i grew up with Holden and HSV. thanks .
Enjoy watching your post Bro and it’s a honour for Vauxhall to share part ownership as their line up as well with Chevy to our Aussie Muscle Car Holden HSV ✊🏽💯 from 🇦🇺
When it comes to bang for your buck,what you get versus what you miss out on and that "feel" you get from certain cars,the VF Holden Commodore Series II Redline and the whole HSV range(especially the GTSR and W1)have to be in the Top 10 cars.
Ever.
And considering the Walkinshaw upgrades available to make them even more potent,there can be little doubt.
RIP Holden
RIP Commodore.....
RIP - Aussie Holden
Have been with these Aussie performance cars all my life...
I’m so sad to see them go
It's great seeing people in other countries who 'really get' our Aussie cars. As an Aussie I've loved Japanese cars all my driving life, but we ended up needing a big, well priced sedan for us and our 3 teenage boys.
I bought a near new VE Commodore V6 (one model earlier than the VF in the video) and was pleasantly surprised by the level of refinement for such a cheap car at the time.
It's a shame that Holden Australia just did not / would not adapt with the times and produce what the bulk of customers wanted (SUVs)
Sad to see Holden go, they were never going to survive with Daewoo and Opel products in the showroom, they aren't suited to our country.
It's a Chevy. They still sell rear-drive 6.2L supercharged cars in America. You can even buy an S.C. 6.2L LS3 engine from G.M. and drop it in whatever you want.
@@21jimmyo
The car is a 100% Australian designed car. It does have a Chev drivetrain, but the car is the last Australian designed and built car before GM closed Holden down.
@@21jimmyo your chevy camaro wouldnt even have chassis if it wasnt for the ve/vf commodore
@@brocksinclair66 LOL..... Sure since it was a semi-unibody design originally based on the 1964 Nova. Besides GM owned Holden like it owned Chevy and all of its other brands. Shared concepts and designs are just the way GM did business.
Great video mate. I'm a Ford man but I would happily have the last of the HSV's in my garage
Same here, the Ford Holden rivalry at Bathurst won't be the same. No more Falcon, no more HSV Commodore.
@@RatelHBadger yeah, can’t wait to watch an Aussie race with only American cars 🙄
Possibly the last is up for auction now.
A Holden Maloo Ute in highest performance W1 spec, one of four made, is at auction online currently. Current bid $1,040,000 with nine days to go.
HSV build date 29/12/2017.
Already a record for an Australian built car.
I used to think Harris was the best at doing this, but that was JB at his finest, nice one! that was perhaps the best articulated driving experience I've heard. top job Bovvers :) now do the same on a Agera R :) please
Harris was the best, but that changed when he decided to become an asshole who cares about money and fame more than cars. This is why I love EVO and Drivetribe. This is the dream, real enthusiasts on proper budget, so great.
Dazfast He's way ahead of you mate. search for it
That's a bit harsh isn't it? Would you knock back an offer to host Top Gear? I sure as hell wouldn't. I think Harris is just furthering his career and that should be applauded.
I agree, I wouldn't turn them down. But I also wouldn't act like an asshole, which he thinks he's now allowed to do.
All that happened with Petrolicious for example. One of their employees made a mistake and posted a couple of seconds of his Ferrari F40/F50 video. They apologized immediately, took the video down within minutes and even fired that employee. He wouldn't give them a break and said they stole his 20 million views. So pathetic. Months later, he still wouldn't let it go and roasts them on twitter for no reason. Also, saying fuck off to someone who got in his shot behind him on car stand anyone can access in freely - happened in Geneva, I believe. He acted like it was his own personal damn spot. Used to be my hero once, but now he's the worst asshole there is. Look at other (especially British) car journalist and compare them. He's the one who cocky (and asshole) as if he were 10 times better than all of them. They're equally capable GENTLEMEN and he is just another rich egoistic asshole. Harris is just a pigheaded prick, the worst kind of people.
Love the slideways footage. Awesome car. Sad to see it go.
DriveTribe feels soo pure.
Great car. An icon. Great review. A man who loves his job :)
Best thing to come out of Aussie Land since Kylie!
The first minute of this video is an editing lesson in a nutshell.
I remember seeing a Monaro or something which made such an epic howling noise with its supercharger...that was an amazing car.
Vxr 500
Yea Walkinshaw W547 kit coming up in my VF HSV R8. Cant wait.
Even as a dyed in the wool Ford fan, I’d love a Commodore.
This car justifies Australia's existence...
That would imply australia actually exists, which is wrong
@@safetyfirst5917 Ok, but are you actually serious, or is it a joke? You don’t have any sarcasm, so I can’t tell if your joking or not.
Would have liked to see the Ford falcon GTE / GTF find its way further afield, another Australian tourer the rest of the world missed out on.
yesss, wish we got FGX GT-Fs and F6 typhoons instead of those Sprint variants. Continuing the already existing FPV lineup would've been a very nostalgic finishing touch to the Falcon range.
Totally agree with you man... I'm a Holden boy but my favourite car was a 2011 fg falcon xt... I picked the xt because I wanted the smoother ride... but they actually handle really well... and that naturally aspirated 4.0 straight six running on 98 is glorious when it hits redline in 2nd and 3rd... six speed ZF box brilliant 👍
Such a shame to see the death of an Australian legend. I'm glad at least some of the world got to experience these cars and fell in love with them as we did.
Yea I'm just glad I managed to snap one up before Holden shut down. Love it.
I have a 99 vt2 Hsv.
I don’t need a screen to show me the angle of my oversteer.
A VXR8 and that amazing road... Yes please!
I like Fords, but I really like this car. When it first came out in the UK years ago, it really gave a good account of itself, I can see these going up in money like the V8 RS4 and the V10 M5
I own the rival Ford Falcon FPV GT - 2003 model, 5.4 litre 450bhp, it puts a smile on my face every time I drive it. VALE Aussie muscle cars
Love your videography and color!!!!
“Or what ever you want to call it”.... an old friend Rest In Peace mate....
Yes, us Aussies were very upset about GM closing Holden down. I have a 2001 VU SS Ute, and even today, it still puts a smile on my face. Easy to cruise around, and plenty of power when needed.
your voice is very easy to listen to , thanks for a great review
HSV, I just want one!!!!
Good review, a car that will be indeed be missed. Think you were a little harsh on the interior though, yes it's not up to par these days but it's perfectly fit for purpose and comfortable for the average citizen which is for a change rather than scrawny types which seem to be the target demographic for sporting cars at the moment but I guess you can't make a car that'll suit 100% of the people that consider it.
Here in NZ it still represents good value for money given spec and performance, I'm not sure if it's the case in the U.K. though so the interior comments might bare more weight in that regard
That's because a m5 cost $185000 . E63 $200000. Hsv gts $100000
Ben Chesterman
You are a proper tosser
Im guessing your a leftard .No understanding of economics and business costs
Agreed, Holden could have specced up the interior more but it would have only added to the cost. Additionally, the VF interior was a huge step up on its VE model and I quite like it.
The holdens and the falcons are like a love child of a euro car handling and American horse power.
Such a lovely car I so want one and I will have one, one day and can I ask where you filmed that road looks amazing I the vectra vxr just now and I love her she is getting a very rare car to see now not many left ;) especially with the low mileage I have on her ;)
I was lucky to get the VF GTSR such a awesome car so sad 😞 they don’t make them anymore
End of a beautiful era :(
Love this guy - can't wait to see him in the new American Top Gear series!
I love this video. I can honestly vouch for every description in this article.
If you ever get a chance to own one of these cars in your life time especially to the most Vauxhall haters haha, just do it. Even if its just for a few months (because they are expensive to run)
Such a fun car and after a months worth of driving it, I still have that boyish grin every time it pops and bangs x
"sophistication from the Australians"
We mix sophistication with beer and sledgehammers.
I Call it a Chevrolet SS and I have a 2017 with a 6-speed manual. Makes you smile every mile.
It's a Holden mate
Ls engine shares the same platform
beautiful
That ain't no car that's a Monster Burnout Machine!
General Motors has the nerve to try and sell cars in Australia now. Couldn't give them away, get lost!
A Holden Maloo Ute in highest performance W1 spec, one of four made, is at auction online currently. Current bid $1,040,000 with nine days to go.
HSV build date 29/12/2017.
Already a record for an Australian built car.
I think they already delivered some Brabham BT62s for close to $2 million each. (Built in Adelaide)
Try and get your hands on a GTSR W1!!
The W1 was never exported anywhere outside Australia, except New Zealand-and even then, only 20 W1's got to NZ. Besides, a car as special as the W1 is probably best enjoyed where it came from-Australia. At least in my opinion, anyway.
£20K cheaper than a BMW M3, Mercedes AMG C63, Jaguar XJR-Sport, etc, yet more powerful. And if 577hp isn't enough, there's always the GTS-R with 650+ hp! Seriously General Motors, why the hell didn't you just keep Holden producing just for this model for the global market???
gm can't even run their company in America, and fucked everyone over by having to shut factories and killing models off
The gtsr had 595 bhp, the w1 had 640 bhp.
Proved they couldn't organise a pissup in a brewery, not before taking 200M in government subsidies to help them stay open here. Year later money in hand do a runner without consultation.
@@adelaideautowashes in Australia not in England.
I've not long since bought the car in this video and it's still going as strong as it was 7 years ago.
Very nice review
Hahahah my dad owns this car now! What a monster
Death of a legend. Great to see other people and other countries got why the Aussies loved them.
Last of the proper drivers car, do love it , nice review 👍
If I had one I would name it Larry.
Those roads look abrasive. How many sets of rear tyres have you bought in 6 months?
Lad at my work place had a black saloon VXR8. Sold it for £19k because it was horrendously expensive to maintain, fuel and for little one on the way. Honestly, as daft as it sounds, we reckon he was depressed for a couple months after he sold it. I've never seen anyone as happy to own a car as he was!
Mate they put a smile on ur face every day that's for sure! A rush to drive hey
They should've sold the whole range in the UK as the Vauxhall Commodore
I know those two words don't go together very well but it could've helped
And sell it in the US as the Chevy Camaro four door
The fifth gen ZL1 was basically a GTS underneath anyway
where are these roads? it looks amazing to drive
Looks like the B4391 between Bala and Llangynog
@@killerfishfinger it is that road I ride it most weekdays on my motorbike
A friend of mine has a Bathurst S with 662hp 600 ft lb. Holy shit it's quick!
I'm Crying
Great review mate. It’s an absolute travesty that Holden sold its soul and stopped making its own cars. I’m just glad I bought a HSV before they did.
Holden didn't sell its soul, General Motors did.
Great Presenter👌🏼
RIP Commodore, Falcon, HSV, and FPV. (Many will not know it's legendary rival, the FPV/Falcon)
At least Australia isn't missing out on all the automotive fun though.
I hear we still got our design and engineering teams meaning although our production has ceased, GM and Ford's R&D will have Australian input. (eg Ford's T6)
Oversteer readout in case you aren't paying attention while oversteering...
If you shod it with Continentals theres little if any oversteer.
these will become extremely rare.
Nice to see a reviewer not going WHOOOHOOOHOOO with a silly expression every 5 seconds.
MATT MORAN LEFT THE CHAT
I have a 2017 redline and my uncle has a 2017 W1. Other family members have normal vf’s and one has a 2015 Maloo.
I bet that is a nice daily driver! I am thinking of getting a Chevrolet PPV but the thing that worries me is how the spareparts are available in Europe..
Well, I don't have one of these but I do have a 2017 VF2 SS Sportswagon which is near the bottom end of the range. It has the 6.2l V8 and is an absolute pleasure to drive. I'm proud to own one of the last of the Commodores and it's the best car I've ever owned. My last 3 cars have been Commodores, the VH, the VT, now the VF2. It just doesn't seem right to call it a Vauxhall.
Ironic that they left the HSV badge on the steering circle.
What is that song at 1 min?
Where is that road. The scenery looks unreal
Looks like the B4391 between Bala and Llangynog
this alone gives me hope for new american topgear...
And here's the rub..the Australian tax payer coughed up millions of dollars in grants and incentives to keep Holden afloat. The money went straight to Detroit and GM closed Holden anyway. Same story with Ford. Mitsubishi did the same thing sending the grants back to Japan just before closing the plant in South Australia. Yep we were shafted well and truly
Was this also called the 4-door Corvette?
Where is that road is it the Bala to Festiniog
Such a huge loss to the Aussie motoring landscape. We’ll regret it I’m sure
There are a couple of Monaros around where I live, and I see the odd VXR. Lovely, sound unlike anything else on British roads; the only issue for me in owning one would be those fuel bills...!
SirLoinOfsteak85 move to Australia mate usually around $1.30-$1.60 for premium 95
I don’t know why people stopped buying them. Well I lie, I do know, people are stupid and they buy into the salesman’s well rehearsed performance. I have a 2001 prov pack commodore and people are genuinely amazed at how comfortable and roomy it is. One guy was talking about how cool it was that his new Subaru had air conditioning for the back seat passengers. The bastard didn’t believe me when I said commodores have had that for at least 30 years. I suppose they actually needed aircon in the back because you could comfortably sit 3 adults in the back seat.
People compare them to BMWs and Mercedes Benz’s but you have to look at the competition in their price range. They should have been compared to Toyota Camry’s or in more recent times, Kia Stingers. At this point in time, I’d be happy if them just shifted manufacturing. It’s a shame they’re gone. I really miss the ute. Even the sedan was a workhorse if you put a tow bar on it.
Where are those wonderful roads ?
Real road car, Australian legend
Where are the V8 sounds ?💁
I did shed a #tear
Noooo.... I will miss this particular Vauxhall/Holden very, very badly! :'(
"There is no better car for long distance!" Excuse me? Have you ever driven a V70?
I would imagine jethro has driven loads, but Jesus if you gonna pick him up that. A V70!! Why not a Rolls Royce or Bentley??😺
@@danielgreenough1065 Clarkson even said Volvo seats are the best thing this side of a RR. And a V70 is actually affordable and won't drain your wallet after the 1000 miles.
I guess us Aussies will just have to take our experience and start our own Australian made car company
I just want one ☝️😎 🇦🇺
as much as I never liked later holdens .. its sad to see them go
Looks like the tyre dealers would be disappointed.
10,000 km in 6 months? Is it parked up most of the time? We do that in about a month here.
He said miles, that is about 16,000km. Which is perhaps still a lot less than you do.
Is there any way you could get these in the US legally?
S NB Pontiac G8. Same car.
Tibor Pandza not exactly. This is a tuned version of the Chevrolet SS (VF Commodore SS-V) or, if you prefer, a sedan version of the Gen 5 Camaro ZL1.
S NB probably the closest you can get is the 2nd Gen Cadillac CTS-V.
SICEM_Rex Close enough
Pontiac G8 or the new Chevy SS.
Too bad Pontiac was killed off just as the G8 was starting to pick up steam, and it took GM 6 years to finally get it back over here with a Chevy badge. But then they decided not to spend a single dime on marketing, so barely anyone bought them.
Buy a vn commodore group a ss or buy a vp gts
Great car
What model and year is this one
Lsa vxr8 2015. But she needs the manual box.
Name of first track used? I know I've heard it, may even have it on my computer, but the name escapes me. Ta.
did evo change their name?