GMI Review: Holden Berlina Sportwagon 3.0 SIDI (Part 2)

[mikmak]

Family Bias: Holden Berlina Sportwagon 3.0 SIDI Review (Part 2)
You can't have fun all the time. (See Part 1) So let's put our responsible hats on and put the Berlina Sportwagon under the pump, to see if the Ecoline badge provides hope or hype.


www.gminsidenews.com
November 5, 2009
By: Michael McWilliams

LINK <----back to Part1

Before.....

Getting the Word Out

One of the biggest challenges a company faces, is trying to get the broader public to understand the relevance of a new product. That problem is compounded when the advancement is primarily technical, and the 6L50 six speed auto mated to the 3.0 SIDI (Spark Ignition Direct Injection) driveline certainly qualifies. (For a technical wrap up, read GMI's detailed SIDI Reveal and Drive Coverage from our Oz technical guru, Mark Cadle).At first there were attempts at promoting the Omega sedan's combined ADR (Australian Design Rule) rating of 9.3L/100km [25.3USMPG], but it wasn't long before advertisements started quoting more relevant values of 900km and Sydney to Melbourne on one tank. Even this couldn't convince some people. Here's a sample of folks I talked to during my tenure as Belinda's chaperon, to give you an idea of the uphill battle facing marketing departments. There were...mixed results.

Originally Posted by Mr. 30-something IT guy

They just increased the size of the fuel tank.

Actually the fuel tank has remained at 73 litres since the VE arrived on the market.

Originally Posted by Local Constabulary

Is that the new Hybrid Electric Commodore? I was telling my partner about it last night.

Hmmm. You can almost chalk that up as a win. Considering the short time on the market, I was lucky to run into a young (late 20's/early 30's) banking consultant who travels extensively. Her Omega Sportwagon (company car) with the 3.0 SIDI was barely 4 weeks old.

Originally Posted by Mz. (rather attractive) Bank Consultant

I love it. It is just so smooth and has plenty of pick up. I don't know much about the sport shift thing but my husband loves it! He gets in it and RRRoooommm (continues to make car noises and does the steering wheel and shifter action much like this ). So far I'm nearly up to the 3000km service [inspection] and I'm on my third tank.

The Straight and the Narrow

There have plenty of opinions flying around about the applicability of ADR fuel economy ratings and I tend to agree. Even though you can usually beat the lab based results with just a little bit of effort, gravity and it's effects on my size 12 [13US] right hoof, usually leave economy claims firmly in the rear view mirror.

So, in the name of science, I took what I learned from my first afternoon playing around with Belinda in the Brisbane suburbs, and applied that during a few highway runs to see what I could get. The first major run was from the Sunshine Coast, one hour and a quarter north of Brisbane, to the Gold Coast which is roughly the same distance again. So armed with the appropriate quantities of caffeine, 91RON Unleaded, 6 disks of very loud music and a keen eye on the "Instant" fuel economy display, I gingerly edged out of the local service station. It took at least ten minutes before mashing the throttle as I joined the Bruce highway. I was greeted by a white 1995 VR Commodore wagon, loaded with apprentices and paint tins (and now, a few grins), their eyes widening slightly as Belinda swept past, her tacho seeking out 5500. I guess I'll just take it as it comes.

This route is unlike those you would experience when approaching Sydney, as it is mostly flat and varies from 2-4 lanes in each direction, but it does represent a similar profile to journeys under taken every day as people commute to Melbourne and Brisbane. Most of the run was regulated by cruise control, which is operated by a carry over stalk, but has a much more mellow response than it's predecessor. Whether or not this is due to transmission programming or ECU fettles, I couldn't tell you, but, as I found out on earlier trips through the fringes of the Glasshouse Mountains, no longer does it panic, kicking down gears and revving itself silly (as the VZ does) when climbing hills. Instead, it is a more composed affair with a much gentler throttle profile.

The journey also took in a treacherous stretch of 80kph[50mph] roadworks, where 2 lanes travel in the same direction. Now I don't use the term "treacherous", lightly. I've done my fair share of commuting in all three of Australia's largest cities (Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney). I've dodged wayward taxi's, pedestrians and bicycle couriers (mostly), but this road is one of those environments that instinctively makes you bring your shoulders in as the margin of error shrinks with the ever narrowing concrete barriers on each side (presumably to contain carnage). I seemed to be in the lower 10% of traffic whom wanted to adhere to the speed limit. The remaining 90% were happy self-regulating themselves to the states regional highway limit of 100[62mph]. Keep in mind that this stretch of road is a major corridor, and, a large portion of that aforementioned majority, comprises of prime movers and loaded 5-ton flatbeds, seemingly all responding to a rumour on the Radio, that the Yatala pie shop is down to their last Steak, Cheese and Bacon. Keep your eyes up, stick to your lane and just accept that maybe you'll make it. Maybe you wont.

The remainder of the trip south was uneventful (except for one courier attempting to give Belinda a free rhinoplasty, as he "honed" a corner a little too close) and I was suitably impressed when switching the trip computer from "Instant L/100km" to average consumption. Over the 195 km [121miles] trip, Belinda had slurped a measly 7.4l/100km. That's 31.8 US MPG or 38 MPG in the old money. After a meeting with a customer in Mudgeeraba, I headed back north in heavy rain, only stopping for a pie, more crap from Ikea and some happy snaps. Overall, the whole trip took four and three quarter hours, and, with an average speed of 85kph [53mph] consumed 7.8L/100km [30USMPG]. There were no magic tricks, I just stuck to the limit (mostly) and let the Sportwagon do the rest.

I was also overtaken 278 times whilst sitting on the limit. That's roughly 1 per minute, but in death valley it was more like one every 30 seconds!

When I actually applied what I knew, such as manually selecting gears leading up to hills allowing it to labour a little longer, and taking off from lights like a normal human being, I even managed to eek out a little bit extra. On the final trip taking Belinda to her home, we squeezed consumption down to 7.2l/100kms or 32.7USMPG, though obviously that is hardly representative of normal, "real world" conditions. Who really pays attention to driving for economy? Everyone, if you listen to the media. I find it hard to believe that many people actually practice what they say at dinner parties or on the local AM talk back. Nonetheless, it is there for the taking, or a penalty of a 600mls per 100kms (or roughly 80 cents), for regular law abiding folk. "Eager beavers" are more likely to achieve 8.1 [29USMPG] if you stay within earshot of the speed limit.

.....After

Who's Coming to Dinner?

The Australian automotive landscape has gone through a fundamental change since the introduction of SUV's (no really, thank you very much) and everyone seems to be obsessed with being prepared for every eventuality, which includes, but is not limited to; scaling mountains, crossing rivers, going skiing and leaping over sand dunes. As a result, traditional products have fallen out of popular favour, being replaced by Swiss army knives that fall over when they go around corners.

There is a very broad range of competition trying to eat the Sportwagon's lunch, but few come close to the green promises laid down by the 3.0 SIDI power train. Even the 4 cylinder Mondeo, which has a lower combined fuel consumption rating, actually has higher city consumption. Then, when taking into account the Pollution Rating, the 3.0 takes real advantage and delivers on the Green Credentials that it has been trumpeting from the walls. The Sportwagon actually consumes less fuel and has lower emissions than the Mondeo wagon around the city.

Pretender or Defender?

My priorities are still shaped by that long departed Orange behemoth, with practical space, enough grunt to get out of its own way and the constitution to tow home an SUV who's Electronic Stability Program gets tangled up whenever its over-sized rims come in contact with actual dirt. The market has moved on from those days and the Commodore wagon has had to evolve accordingly.

The SIDI engine provides economy for those that care about it and it still has performance that I could really enjoy. It is now just put up on a shelf where the grown ups can reach it. The bottom end is less energetic, but improved economy doesn't just appear like a RADAR gun toting constable (from out of nowhere). Concessions have to be made and Belinda is a convincing equilibrium between a smile on your face and the furrowed brow of the carbon conscious public opinion polls. The Berlina Sportwagon now has a certified, clear advantage in the Eco stakes, so eco warriors who instead decide to pick a smaller automatic 4 cyl SUV, such as the Honda CRV, Nissan X-trail or even the 2WD Hyundai Tucson (which is significantly smaller) in the name of mother earth, are actually creating more pollution.

Let's not forget that if one of your priorities is performance, you can get a 3.6 SIDI powered SV6 (also with a six speed automatic) for Berlina money. But that's a tale for another day (seriously, I'm trying to make it sooner rather than later).

So does the rather modest loss of torque, load space and visibility endanger it's appeal to traditional Aussie wagon lovers? I doubt that many people would actually be anywhere near as anal as I have been. The fuel economy is really there to impress the fleets and to tackle the Commodore's wider reputation as an aging dinosaur. To that end, Holden have kicked a goal even if some people think it's a Hybrid. A regular Joe will check the tow rating (2100kg [4630lbs]), take it for a spin (potentially let out a laugh or 2) and then spend the rest of the afternoon crossing his fingers hoping his wife will love that sexy rear end....at least that's what I did (and she did).

It is fun to drive (despite its more conservative suspension tune), roomy enough to sleep in (though Mrs. Mak may find it a little too cosy...ahem) and still a practical choice for a pragmatist like me. Don't take my word for it. I'm [still] biased. If you have the opportunity, take one for a drive. If you don't have the opportunity, start whinging to your Buick dealer why you can't have a new Roadmaster.

More pics in the Photo Gallery!!

[pic18]

Although a nice article, clearly the last thing Buick needs as it changes its image is a new Roadmaster.

[Rick_VT]

Are you going to try using 95 and 98 RON fuels to see if there is any extra difference with the power and fuel economy?

[KingElvis]

Thanks mikmak. A fine article and I very much appreciate the effort to distinguish between 'real world' and economy run driving. If it's 10%, (32mpg vs 29) I think it speaks volumes about how good SIDI is. In old US "Mobil" economy runs, professional drivers could milk 27mpg out of typically 20 mpg cars (like a slant six Valiant) through various tricks of the trade - particularly skipping middle gear with the three on tree manual.

Here it appears 30mpg is pretty much 30mpg.

[BBDOS CV8]

XEK760 is the Evoke Sportswagon I drove from Yea to Mansfield through the hllls around Lake Eildon, on the Holden MY10 Drive. I still have my driver schedule, and the target economy was 8.0. I know I got 7.6. Toby Hagon got in the car after me.

The sedan with the 3.0 is a little more lively being lighter. But the wagon is no slouch.

I had the idea for an economy blog, driving to work here in Melbourne every day for a week with the same tank of fuel (cap sealed) and recording daily consumption then my weekend use, which includes hauling stuff to band practice and gigs and a drive on weekends. I'd do about 400-500km in a week, which should easily leave me 1/3-1/2 a tank.

[Ghrankenstein]

Fantastic writing, and yes, the ending worked itself out very well.

In Foster's commercial voice: "Pleigh-graound... Beeeeah."

I suggest that the article could use another picture, in the middle of the trip, and Mik typically overdelivers with that fantastic, grin-inducing shot. Awesome.

It's gonna be tough to top this, but you do realize, this means war!

Ghrank

[mmciau]

Very good numbers for a 6 cylinder full sized vehicle in Australia.

Very well presented two part article mikmak, thank you!

Mike

[gopedxr7]

you aussies are so lucky

Alan

[mikmak]

Thanks for the compliments gents. I had plenty of fun with the Sportwagon so it was only fair that I shared it (somewhat ).

As for using 95 or 98RON fuel, I only avoided it because I wanted to make it relevant to the ADR rating (which uses 91). Normally I only use 95 for both my cars and when doing a lot of highway commuting (like I am now and for the next few months), I use 98. The price difference works out as a stale mate vs. economy gains, but it does make Victoria drive a bit better and there in lies the value. If I bought the wagon (and Mrs. Mak wants to), I'd stick to 95.

[mikmak]

Originally Posted by pic18

Although a nice article, clearly the last thing Buick needs as it changes its image is a new Roadmaster.

I just picked a name that matches its character. I'm not aware of any baggage the badge carries, but it just seemed like a good fit.

Originally Posted by Ghrankenstein

Fantastic writing, and yes, the ending worked itself out very well.



I suggest that the article could use another picture, in the middle of the trip, and Mik typically overdelivers with that fantastic, grin-inducing shot. Awesome.

It's gonna be tough to top this, but you do realize, this means war!

Ghrank

That sir, is just the type of challenge I'm looking for. Can't wait to see your Cobalt XFE drive.

[Dr. Show-Me]

Nice writing.
So if I get this correctly, the car holds 19.3 gallons of gasoline, and can do 32 mpg in highway travel. This equates to driving from Kansas City to Denver (616 miles) on one tank of gas.
GM, bring this car out NOW!

[VS Ute 5Litre]

I'd have one but not at that kind of money

Hopefully second hand ones will come to market soon enough in the right colour and spec

[GMWAGN]

Hey Mick, an excellent article. Holden seems to be on a winner with the SIDI.
But you know me, had to go with the V8.

The sportwagon delivers as you have described and still proves a head turner. Great work