What goes around, comes around....

flappist · 10-01-2006, 11:14 PM

Just picked up a thread on ls1.com.au where someone has an early copy of MOTOR that has pics and details of the VE commodore. It seems that although they will be fitted with 6 litre engines they increase in weight by 230kg.....

Two things imediately sprang to mind.....

1) I suspect it is going to be a bit difficult to have factory standard 13 second SSs & SV8s (sic)
2) I suspect that by the end of the year the raging debates of new model vs old will make the BAGT vs TE50T3 "discussions" of 2003 seem like playschool (which it sort of was anyway)....

FPV8U · 10-01-2006, 11:18 PM

Just noticed this myself over there pity no pics yet would be keen to see if it lived up to all the hype, 230Kg weigh gain has me laugh after they have been bagging the BA since it's late 2002 launch for it's weight.

Whats the total predicted weight for the VE SS then 230Kg + 1654Kg (VZ SS M6) = 1884Kg

Thats as porky as the BA if not a little heavier if im not wrong...

FPV8U · 10-01-2006, 11:24 PM

BF V8 models weight in at 1784 according to the ford site, is ford finally going to be infront on the 1/4...?

SpoolMan · 10-01-2006, 11:33 PM

wont be easy to get that fat beefer off the start line..

rodderz · 10-01-2006, 11:47 PM

all new cars in the next few years will probably all be getting heavier each new model with greater standard features and safety etc...

Till lighter materials become cheaper

FPV8U · 10-01-2006, 11:51 PM

HSV's will be over 1900Kg at a stab with the Bigger brakes, Body kit, rims Etc, thats damn heavy, thats before driver + Fuel and anything else you put in a car...

FPV8U · 10-01-2006, 11:52 PM

Anyone got a Scan of the Pics yet?

Group C · 10-01-2006, 11:57 PM

Don't know how much truth is in this, but I've been told (by a Holden in-sider) that the VE, or it's replacement, will have ELECTRONIC STEERING.
This means no steering column!! The wheel is dash-mounted, and sends an electronic 'impulse' to an electric motor on the rack. Sounds similar-ish to the BA throttle to me, and sounds bl00dy scary too!!

A BA's throttle electronics playing funny-buggers is bad enuf (trust me, I know...), but imagine the electronics in this thing frying...

How many potential buyers will say 'No thanks' when they learn this, if true??
I know I wouldn't buy an electronic steer car, even if it had a Ford badge.

11-01-2006, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Group C

Don't know how much truth is in this, but I've been told (by a Holden in-sider) that the VE, or it's replacement, will have ELECTRONIC STEERING.
This means no steering column!! The wheel is dash-mounted, and sends an electronic 'impulse' to an electric motor on the rack. Sounds similar-ish to the BA throttle to me, and sounds bl00dy scary too!!

It is probably electronic power steering like the current Focus has. The power steering pump is driven by an electric motor rather than from the engine.

TurboDOHCI6 · 11-01-2006, 09:53 AM

What RATT said ^^^^^^

FPV8U · 11-01-2006, 10:30 AM

Anyone found Pics would buy the Mag but couldn't find it anywhere this morning!

gtfpv · 11-01-2006, 11:59 AM

wieght means refinement . so the ve will be more competitive with ford in my books.but as the post title says what goes around comes around.

Steffo · 11-01-2006, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gtfpv

wieght means refinement . so the ve will be more competitive with ford in my books.but as the post title says what goes around comes around.

Weight means refinement? That's an interesting take on things.

gtfpv · 11-01-2006, 12:30 PM

i guess bad choice of words. i mean that weight in the case of independent rear suspension . and safety etc. the ba sits heavy on the road and feels safer than the commadore with huge v8 power figures .

Des · 11-01-2006, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gtfpv

wieght means refinement .

Then I must be one refined ИИИИer!!!!

guym · 11-01-2006, 03:02 PM

but who will be able to afford the fuel to run such a big motor and push all that weight when fuel hits $.50 or even $2.00

xbgs351 · 11-01-2006, 03:41 PM

nm

.

outback_ute · 11-01-2006, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steffo

Weight means refinement? That's an interesting take on things.

The heavier bodyshell could be stiffer & stonger, with more sound proofing, thicker window glass etc. Perfectly reasonable, however it won't impress fleets who have hung their hats on low running costs for years.

Sourbastard · 11-01-2006, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by outback_ute

The heavier bodyshell could be stiffer & stonger, with more sound proofing, thicker window glass etc.

Or the wheels could be made entirely of lead.

Steffo · 11-01-2006, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by outback_ute

The heavier bodyshell could be stiffer & stonger, with more sound proofing, thicker window glass etc. Perfectly reasonable, however it won't impress fleets who have hung their hats on low running costs for years.

Just being heavy doesn't necessarily make it stiff and strong. Case point most large American cars.

Newer, more sophisticated, lighter, stronger materials on the other hand....

11-01-2006, 06:01 PM

For this market, refinement adds weight. It keeps the cars priced where they are. If we do what Jag did to the XJ (correct me if I'm wrong) and construct the Falcon out of Alluminium then an XT would cost $90,000, but it would be refined!

Group C · 15-01-2006, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RATT

It is probably electronic power steering like the current Focus has. The power steering pump is driven by an electric motor rather than from the engine.

Thanks for the info mate.
It didn't seems right to me, but it makes ALOT more sense now!!

Cheers.

gmhdriver · 15-01-2006, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Group C

Don't know how much truth is in this, but I've been told (by a Holden in-sider) that the VE, or it's replacement, will have ELECTRONIC STEERING.
This means no steering column!! The wheel is dash-mounted, and sends an electronic 'impulse' to an electric motor on the rack. Sounds similar-ish to the BA throttle to me, and sounds bl00dy scary too!!

I'm pretty sure such a system exists, I think it was developed by Mercedes (could be wrong though). It improves safety significantly as there is no steering column to intrude into the driver in a crash. But as mentioned I wouldn't want to be in the car if it ever failed, however they must've designed it to be failsafe to stop such a thing occuring.

I doubt that such a system will be in the VE, as others have said it will probably just be an electrically driven power steering pump.

Quadcams · 15-01-2006, 10:46 PM

Knew it was coming, now lets see them get there barge off the line quick.