Holden Efijy Wins 2007 'US Concept Of The Year' Award

[JoeT]

Bold Holden Wins Top US Award

AAP
22 June 2007
www.smh.com.au

Holden Efijy hot rod, a 21st century version of the iconic Australian FJ Holden, has been named the United States concept car of the year.

The award was announced today at a ceremony at the Automotive Hall of Fame in Dearborn, Michigan.

It was picked from a field of 33 concept vehicles and 11 production preview models which debuted during the 2007 North American auto show season.

The EFIJY was created by Holden's Melbourne design team for the 2005 Sydney Motor Show.

The pillarless coupe, finished in Soprana purple, was fitted with a 480KW V8 and included state-of-the-art technology throughout.

Holden designer and project leader Richard Ferlazzo said the car existed purely for automotive entertainment.

"It is particularly gratifying for the car to be recognised in this way in the US which is historically the home of flamboyant automotive design," Mr Ferlazzo said.

"It's nice to know that there is still a place in the concept car arena for a purely expressive design."

GM Holden's director of design Tony Stolfo said the car had been well received wherever it was shown.

"It was a real labour of love from all those involved in its creation and the end result is a testament to their dedication and creativity," he said.

"This award is further recognition of that and a further advertisement for the talent and versatility of the designers we have here at GM Holden."

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[Koasterking]

The Efijy is a gorgeous concept. I was dissapointed that it wasn't at the NY atuo show this year, when it was at the Detroit Auto Show. Oh well...

If Old's was still around, it would've made a nice Led Sled coupe for the line-up.

[ByTheLake]

Looks like it would be quite aerodynamic driving in reverse.

I actually like retro styling, but this concept seems extremely out of place today.

It looks to be big and heavy, and overall, an inefficient package. The rear window is nearly useless. I'd have preferred that the money spent creating this beast was spent on something that could actually be produced. So they have this Efijy concept ... now what do you do with it?

[01cavalier]

Still a gorgeous car. I'd never expect it to be produced, but if GM ever was gutsy enough to do it, they would definitely get a lot of attention from it.

[AusCalais]

Originally Posted by ByTheLake

Looks like it would be quite aerodynamic driving in reverse.

I actually like retro styling, but this concept seems extremely out of place today.

It looks to be big and heavy, and overall, an inefficient package. The rear window is nearly useless. I'd have preferred that the money spent creating this beast was spent on something that could actually be produced. So they have this Efijy concept ... now what do you do with it?

Lighten up... as Richard Ferlazzo said, the car existed purely for automotive entertainment.... maybe you have to be an Aussie to understand where he is coming from... the FJ Holden is part of the fabric of Aus.

I expect it will sit in the foyer at Holden's HQ in Fisheman's Bend... where it will be a showpiece for years to come.

[jbernie]

Originally Posted by ByTheLake

Looks like it would be quite aerodynamic driving in reverse.

I actually like retro styling, but this concept seems extremely out of place today.

It looks to be big and heavy, and overall, an inefficient package. The rear window is nearly useless. I'd have preferred that the money spent creating this beast was spent on something that could actually be produced. So they have this Efijy concept ... now what do you do with it?

Actually, Holden built this for a steal, their actual cost was in the order of AUS$200,000, pretty much every company that made custom parts for the car "donated" them, and were given lots of credit for it.

For all the free promotions it gave Holden and stealing the limelight at major Australian auto shows....

it was a bargain

[Bhodie]

Originally Posted by AusCalais

I expect it will sit in the foyer at Holden's HQ in Fisheman's Bend... where it will be a showpiece for years to come.

Yeah, one of the nice things about working a few hundred metres down the road is I can drop by anytime and check them all out. I never get tired of the Sandman or Torana either.

Nice win for the Efijy!

[GraphixJunkie]

Man, that car is just pure sexiness. Truly one of my favorite concepts of all time. Everything from an actual chrome front bumper, those awesome dish wheels, to that spectacular engine bay. I'll take one in black please!

[IROCNROL1]

Originally Posted by ByTheLake

Looks like it would be quite aerodynamic driving in reverse.

I actually like retro styling, but this concept seems extremely out of place today.

It looks to be big and heavy, and overall, an inefficient package. The rear window is nearly useless. I'd have preferred that the money spent creating this beast was spent on something that could actually be produced. So they have this Efijy concept ... now what do you do with it?

I think it's a good thing to let your designers get a little creative on occasion. It may help to keep them out of a rut style wise.

[atomicshark]

I too was disappointed that the Efijy was not at the NYIAS. I absolutely love that concept.

Congrats to Holden on this masterpiece of retro modern design.

I would love to see it as a future Buick.

[Aych Es Vee]

Originally Posted by ByTheLake

It looks to be big and heavy

its fibreglass

[BBDOS CV8]

Actually the whole grille, along with the wheels is milled from a single piece of aircraft alloy and then hand polished. Floorpan, suspension, drivetrain is from a C5 Corvette Holden had hanging around after eval. And the body is composite, apparently people who've been in it say it is surprisingly rigid, buzz and rattle free. Like all Holden concept cars, it is drivable (has oil/air suspension like Mercs and rises when started).

[mikesright]

You know, even as impractical as it may sound, I think they should build a couple thousand of these and sell them for $200,000 plus. I bet they would be picked up so fast GM's head would spin.

[69Firebird400]

It's an awesome car - it was my favorite vehicle, production or concept, at the Detroit show this year. It looks incredible in photos, but also incredible in person. It's one of the few vehicles that it's easy to take a great photo of without trying hard.

[monza164]

I don't see what's so great about this car. Go to any classic car show i'm sure you'll see dozens of 40's lead sleds. Whats next? Is Chevy going to chop n drop a 50 Chevy and call it a "concept"?

All of that aside it dose look good.