Review: Holden Commodore SS 6.0L

[JoeT]

Holden Commodore SS

Bill McKinnon
17 March 2006
www.drive.com.au

It may be a truck engine but the sound of a big V8 is music to the ears.

Good: All torque, all action. Goes hard when you rev it, too. Smoothest Tremec gearbox we've used. Handles and steers much better than it should. Great tyres. Strong brakes. Comfortable driver's seat. Well equipped. Full-sized alloy spare.

Bad: Drinks like a fish. Scary resale values. Feels old because it is. Misses out on many safety and convenience features now common in other cars. Lumpy ride in town.

Rating: 3 stars.

Verdict: Bigger banger.

If you have the misfortune to drive the F3 from Newcastle or Gosford to Sydney and back on a regular basis, you should perhaps think seriously about buying a Holden Commodore SS.

On the F3, Holden's hero sports sedan works like no other car - for one reason: with or without the blue lights and the chequered stripes, it's the Highway Patrol's favourite tool of the trade.

This, folks, is what real power feels like.

As you approach them, the blind, atrophied, ignorant or just plain vindictive (take your pick, any combination you like) drivers who hog the overtaking lane miraculously move to the left. Which, as any F3 frequent user will tell you, never, ever happens under normal circumstances.

And - get this - they use their indicators when they do it!

Truckies reach for their seat belts, hide their mobiles and slow down. The unlicensed, chemically deranged doof-doof dorks in their dilapidated, unregistered (or stolen) '80s Commodores sink into their seats, try to stay cool and dive for the nearest exit.

Even the Highway Patrol police themselves glance up from their radar gun scopes to see if you're family.

In theory the 2006 SS costs $51,790 but no one pays full price for a Commodore these days.

The 5.7-litre LS1 V8 engine, which in the 2005 VZ SS produced 250kW of power at 5600rpm and 470Nm of torque at 4800rpm, did not comply with tighter emission regulations that came into force on January 1, so Holden replaced it, across the Commodore-Statesman range, with a 6.0-litre version, codenamed the L76.

It produces 260kW at 5600rpm and 510Nm at 4400rpm. These outputs are achieved on 98 octane premium unleaded; the 6.0-litre also uses more fuel than the 5.7-litre.

Holden won't say exactly how much performance and economy you sacrifice running the 6.0-litre on 95 or 91 octane (regular) unleaded; the latter is still recommended in the handbook.

The SS engine is a cooking model version of the 297kW/530Nm 6.0-litre LS2, now fitted to the HSV stable. They share basic dimensions (larger bore but same stroke as the 5.7-litre) and construction but the HSV engine uses high-performance Corvette heads; the SS engine will also be fitted to General Motors's monster off-roaders, the Chevy Suburban and the Hummer, in the US.

So what's a truck engine doing in a Commodore sports sedan? You might well ask - but strange as it may seem, it works.

Six-speed Tremec manual and four-speed auto transmissions carry over; the former with a stronger clutch to handle the extra torque.

This year's manual SS sees the 3.46:1 diff back in service - the rocket launcher 3.73:1 item was fitted to the 2004 VZ - in the interests of fuel economy and to complement the 6.0-litre's improved torque spread. The auto retains the long-legged 3.07 unit.

The new SS also inherits some good gear, which used to be on the options list, from last year's limited-run SSZ.

Single-piston caliper brakes now bite larger, vented discs. The exhaust is a low-back-pressure, full-length twin system.

Leather upholstery, 18-inch VZ Monaro CV8 alloy wheels with 235/40 Bridgestone RE040 tyres, pretty silver-grey stitching on the leather steering wheel, handbrake and gear lever and a full-sized spare - replacing the steel spare on the previous model - are also now standard.

According to our stopwatch, the 6.0-litre SS's 6.5 seconds for the 0-100kmh sprint matches the (now dearly departed) 5.7-litre VZ Monaro. That car, fitted with Holden's most powerful iteration of the 5.7-litre, also produced 260kW.

Seat of the pants, though, tells you immediately that the 6.0-litre generates more mid-range grunt. Ease your right foot into the electronic accelerator and the 6.0-litre releases a flood of torque, which will have lovers of traditional V8s - like Holden's indigenous 5.0-litre engine - giving thanks.

The 6.0-litre is a slow-revving engine but the electronic accelerator (introduced on the VZ 5.7-litre) does wonders for responsiveness and refinement. You can also feel it breathing more easily at the top end.

It's pulling just 1400rpm at 100 kmh in sixth gear, which makes the 6.0-litre SS the laziest top-gear cruiser Drive has tested.

The test cars' Tremec gearbox was one of the lighter, smoother, more precise examples we've used. Short drivers will have to sit quite close to the steering wheel to get leverage on the heavy, long-throw clutch which, if you commute with the SS, will soon cause your left leg muscles to become much stronger than those in your right.

Larger discs bring the SS's braking system up to its performance potential. The brakes were the best standard items we've yet sampled on a Commodore in their power, progression and pedal feel; they also remained strong and fade-free under some severe punishment.

Its lighter weight remains the SS's main advantage over the Falcon XR8. It is more balanced, agile and taut in tighter corners, with crisp, responsive, accurate steering, secure roadholding from its heavily damped FE2 suspension and strong grip from its Bridgestone tyres. The price you pay is a rather lumpy ride, which lacks the finesse and compliance of the Falcon.

The rest of the 2006 SS story is familiar: big, comfy bloke-sized seats, acres of space and so-so fit and finish quality, albeit with the dark, thick leather upholstery nicely matched in the SS to the roof and pillar trim and attractively contrasted with silver-grey stitching, for a sporty, purposeful feel to the cabin.

Standard equipment also includes a six-stacker CD player and front and side airbags. However, you miss out on other 21st-century features such as one-touch power windows, variable intermittent wipers, curtain airbags and stability control. The telescopic, chromed aerial is a lovely nostalgic touch but indicative of the VZ's antiquity.

VZ sales have fallen off the cliff. The Commodore now feels like yesterday's hero. The VE, due in August, has a lot of catching up to do.

In the case of the 2006 6.0-litre SS, it can fairly be argued that it's now one of the few models in the VZ line-up - along with the SV6 and the SS ute - still capable of taking the fight to Henry's BF Falcon in the blue corner.

Nuts 'n' Bolts - Holden Commodore SS

Country of origin: Australia.

Engine: 6.0-litre, 16-valve, fuel-injected V8.

Power: 260kW at 5600rpm (above average).

Performance: 0-100kmh in 6.5 seconds (quick).

Brakes: Discs with anti-lock (excellent).

Economy: 10-13 litres/100km highway, 18-25 litres/100km city (premium unleaded; thirsty).

Prices: Recommended retail $51,790.

Street price: Big discounts on 2005-build 5.7-litre VZs - $5000 at least. As the 6.0-litre becomes available, expect thousands off it, too.

Main options: Metallic paint $315, rear parking assistance $495.

Warranty: Three years/100,000km (average).

Residual value: About 43 per cent after three years (below average and falling).

Safety rating: Four stars out of five (ANCAP).


Alternatives

Ford Falcon XR8

From $51,330
Feels like a more sophisticated, contemporary car. It's also heavier, so despite its 260kW 5.4-litre V8 it's neither as quick nor as taut as the SS. Six-speed wins the auto contest hands down, though. Big discounts.

Ford Falcon XR6 Turbo

From $46,405
You might find it worth your while to drive this, especially if you're looking for an automatic with effortless long-distance ability. The 245kW 4.0-litre turbo six can be temperamental, especially on hot days.

HSV ClubSport Z Series

From $61,975
Forget recommended retail on 2005 models. We found an $11,985 discount on the internet, taking the price to $49,990. The Clubbie gets the smokin' 297kW LS2 engine with genuine muscle-car performance.

Prices and details correct at publication

$1.00 Aust = $0.73 US 17/03/06

[FISH]

A good even review.
Hope the VE is as great as the old Platform and beats the BF easily.

GO HOLDEN

[jbernie]

That resale is only going to get worse as we get ever closer to the magical VE arriving. Love the comments on everyone getting out of the way. Back in 95 i drove from Sydney to Coffs Harbour in a white rental commodore, for some reason everyone seemed to stear clear, i think if my friend and i had on blue shirts that just about would have cleared the road.

As to the SS, always a good buy. And only fools buy the V8's thinking they are going to get amazing economy all of the time, but driven well you can get great economy from such a big engine.

[JoeT]

I think if my friend and i had on blue shirts that just about would have cleared the road

When I had my near new Bermuda blue VT SS years ago I had to drive up the main freeway from Wollongong to Southern Sydney to work everyday.

Us CityRail Train Crew wear the same uniform as the NSW Police, and quite a few drivers (mainly younger ones) thought I was an under cover Highway Patrolman.

I would wait until a driver would overtake me doing 20 odd Km over the speed limit, then I'd pull out behind them. They would crap themselves, get into the left hand lane and slow right down. I'd stay behind them for a few minutes, then I would just take off!

Hours of fun for the whole family!

[Aych Es Vee]

"From $61,975
Forget recommended retail on 2005 models. We found an $11,985 discount on the internet, taking the price to $49,990. The Clubbie gets the smokin' 297kW LS2 engine with genuine muscle-car performance."

wtf!!!!! I want to know where to get this discount!

[redimpss5]

Still looks like a GTO inside.

[yassir(snowman)]

pretty nice car. i like holdens styling.

[jwrebholz]

Heh. Same thing happens here to people who drive late-generation ('92-96) Caprices and late-model Crown Victorias. They slow down, change lanes, use their blinkers and behave themselves. Part of the reason I wouldn't mind having an older Caprice. (Paint it white and lose the hubcaps and it's a dead ringer for a police issue)

[85 2.8 Camaro]

I don't know much about Holden, is that the old Catera platform?

[V6powerr]

NO, its not! Its modified for Australian road conditions. Its different underneath.

[jlt0x]

Question(s): Is the 6.0L engine (w/ Corvette heads) really a truck engine? Or is the L76 a version of the US LS2?

Originally Posted by JoeT

The SS engine is a cooking model version of the 297kW/530Nm 6.0-litre LS2, now fitted to the HSV stable. They share basic dimensions (larger bore but same stroke as the 5.7-litre) and construction but the HSV engine uses high-performance Corvette heads; the SS engine will also be fitted to General Motors's monster off-roaders, the Chevy Suburban and the Hummer, in the US.

Also, is this a slip-up on what's in store for the US? Will the Tahoe/Suburban/Hummer H2 have a 6.0L w/Corvette heads? Maybe JoeT is referring to the 6.2L V8...

[01cavalier]

NIce car, though high fuel consumption. The 18-25/100 km in city is 9.4 to 13 MPG city and the 10-13 per 100 km is 18.1 to 23.5 highway...though I do wonder if they were driving it hard.

[ponchoman49]

It still looks like a 90's Catera.

[IMPALAon20s]

Originally Posted by ponchoman49

It still looks like a 90's Catera.

aussies will love this car, regardless if styling is bland. they have a different tastes down under, thats why monaro was a failure here.

[monza164]

Maybe one of you Aussies/Kiwis could explain this to me. Why are there so many models of the commodore? I mean there's the Berlina, Calais, (which is a cadillac name), Executive, Equipe, Lumina (chevy name), and the SV series. Then there's the Ute, Maloo, Monaro, Adventura, Crewmen, Statesmen, and Caprice (another chevy name). I know they all have their own little differences but that's 14 names for esentially one car.