GMI Drives: Holden MY14 SV6 Storm Ute

17996 Views 50 Replies 28 Participants Last post by paul8488, Dec 29, 2014

mikmak

Discussion Starter · Dec 2, 2014 (Edited)

Real Sport Real Utility

Michael McWilliams
GMInsidenews.com
Australia Correspondent

03 December 2014

As the focus group helps companies focus on exactly what we all want to drive.... and makes an aggregate picture which spits out the same thing as everyone else, in upside down land we are still building automotive products that are something other than average.

The car based utility is a distinctly aussie invention originally hailing from Ford Australia, and, both Holden and Ford have built utes continuously since the late 50's. Here's the latest evolution of the breed from Holden which shows old school preferences can still be delivered on new world platforms. This is essentially a Camaro with a rear seat delete and a boot for weekend sized party toys.

Holden VF Commodore SV6 Storm Utility
3.6L DI V6 6 Speed Auto
$35,690 AUD
ADR Fuel Rating 9.0L/100kms (26 USMPG) combined

We like
It does what it says on the label
Great Steering and grip
Good seats
Great Tech
V6 has improved timbre under pressure *blaaart*!
Massive load space (fits a Fireblade)

We don't like
Wind buffeting with windows open on the highway
Long Wheelbase parking takes some practice
Blindspot over both shoulders is annoying
Interior chrome trim occasionally catches the sun
Australia Only and that's another real shame.

Late mail:

mang01 said:
Great review, but one comment to above, no Holden built utes '86-89 (HQ based WB was discontinued and not replaced by VN based VG until the second, larger platformed Commodore generation).

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Reactions: 3

1 - 20 of 51 Posts

PHAT-JAY

· #2 · Dec 2, 2014

Should have been sold in the U.S. years ago!!!

Reactions: 5

mang01

· #3 · Dec 2, 2014

mikmak said:
The car based utility is a distinctly aussie invention originally hailing from Ford Australia, and, both Holden and Ford have built utes continuously since the late 50's.

Great review, but one comment to above, no Holden built utes '86-89 (HQ based WB was discontinued and not replaced by VN based VG until the second, larger platformed Commodore generation).

Reactions: 1

tripowergto

· #4 · Dec 2, 2014

Ute articles always frustrate me. I'd be in my 5th year of ownership of my Pontiac G8 GT ST in the States if the powers that be didn't pull the rug out from under us. Sadly, it appears the Aussies will soon suffer the same fate.

Reactions: 1

mikmak

Discussion Starter · #5 · Dec 2, 2014

mang01 said:
Great review, but one comment to above, no Holden built utes '86-89 (HQ based WB was discontinued and not replaced by VN based VG until the second, larger platformed Commodore generation).

Thanks mate. Note in original post.

KingElvis

· #6 · Dec 2, 2014

Pontiac G8 ST that never was. I would seriously have considered one too. For reals - this coming from a guy driving a three seat vehicle right now.

Best of all worlds with pickup utility (bed long enough to camp in) and car frontal area - and handling stability.

Sigh.

Reactions: 1

chinamonty

· #7 · Dec 2, 2014

If you are having blindspot trouble in that Mick then you haven't got the mirrors set up properly or you just don't have confidence in what you are seeing.

DGA

· #8 · Dec 3, 2014

El Caminos are simply awesome. That they don't try selling them here is a crying shame...

Reactions: 1

AceRimmer

· #9 · Dec 3, 2014

DGA said:
El Caminos are simply awesome. That they don't try selling them here is a crying shame...

There is a mob in the USA that imports and converts them to LHD though if you are keen enough:

http://www.lefthandutes.com/

guionM

· #10 · Dec 3, 2014

PHAT-JAY said:
Should have been sold in the U.S. years ago!!!

It almost was.

DGA said:
El Caminos are simply awesome. That they don't try selling them here is a crying shame...

You're preaching to the choir on this one.

The Aussie dollar has dropped enough where it wouldn't lose money any longer if it was imported here. But with SS sales predicted to climb next year and Holden winding down over the next couple of years, plus everyone at GM seemingly putting all their truck chips on the Colorado and Canyon, there's no change in the prospects from last year when it was laid out for me by the "powers that be".

maxaccel

· #11 · Dec 3, 2014

DGA said:
El Caminos are simply awesome. That they don't try selling them here is a crying shame...

They probably couldn't make enough profit,like with big trucks!

NoStopN

· #12 · Dec 3, 2014

guionM said:
The Aussie dollar has dropped enough where it wouldn't lose money any longer if it was imported here. But with SS sales predicted to climb next year and Holden winding down over the next couple of years, plus everyone at GM seemingly putting all their truck chips on the Colorado and Canyon, there's no change in the prospects from last year when it was laid out for me by the "powers that be".

^ This. The AUD could be so far in the tank that building Utes could cost less than Silverados/Sierras & GM NA would still say no. Sales in Oz are showing that a large amount of buyers have put their dollars into the Colorado & not the Ute (or even the Commie).

GM_GEORGE

· #13 · Dec 3, 2014

Why are we being punished ??

Reactions: 1

gopedxr7

· #14 · Dec 3, 2014

still upset these are never sold here. an el camino would have sold lots more than the SSR or the new SS. the name recognition alone would have helped move it.

would have jumped on a v6 model as a daily driver. want a camaro but trunk is too small, i want a truck but cant afford the gas and like car handling.

its party upfront and business in the back. or is it business upfront and party out back?

MonaroSS

· #15 · Dec 3, 2014

Good review mate, all it lacks is the V8 rumble....

But soon (2017) they may all lack that....

spd98

· #16 · Dec 3, 2014

I would say that better than the Camaro. I still like the VE-VF front suspension feel better, than the artificially heavy Camaro's.

AnotherSteve

· #17 · Dec 3, 2014

chinamonty said:
If you are having blindspot trouble in that Mick then you haven't got the mirrors set up properly or you just don't have confidence in what you are seeing.

Have you driven one? The mirrors are appalling, and the combination of the B pillar (much wider in the ute than sedan or wagon) and headrest makes a head check an exercise in peeping through a crack... I really wish mine had the lane change detection stuff from the VF.

Then there's the issue of the high back, the rear deck rises as you get further back, making vision straight out the back very ordinary.

The A pillar is almost as bad. Right hand bends (remembering I live in the Mt Lofty Ranges) with a recommended speed in the 20 KMH to 40 KMH range are the worst, traffic travelling the other way is totally obscured.

The ute is really bad, visibility wise. But I'll put up with it, the thing is absolutely brilliant on most other counts!

Reactions: 1

Cajun G8

· #18 · Dec 3, 2014

Love the review, mik, but did you have to rub it in that we don't get the Ute here in the colonies? Trust me, we already know.

You would think that with the exchange rate the way it is, they would just say "f--- it" and give us a short run before the end of production. I sometimes hate GM.

tripowergto

· #19 · Dec 3, 2014

Cajun G8 said:
You would think that with the exchange rate the way it is, they would just say "f--- it" and give us a short run before the end of production. I sometimes hate GM.

I feel exactly the same!!

Reactions: 1

GolfBravo

· #20 · Dec 3, 2014

KingElvis said:
P
Best of all worlds with pickup utility (bed long enough to camp in) and car frontal area - and handling stability.

Definitely best of both worlds.

Years ago I had the opportunity to drive both a pre-production Pontiac GTO and Holden Ute SS (manual) at Holden's Lang Lang proving ground.

After driving the ute, the GTO was "meh". They were in totally different leagues. The ute was way more fun to drive.

And the current SS ute is just sensational.

1 - 20 of 51 Posts

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