SS-V to Grand Prix? Easy

*KILLER74Z28* · 10-25-2006, 03:35 PM

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SS-V to Grand Prix? Easy

This time, GM has thought ahead

By Angus MacKenzie
Photography by the Manufacturers
Motor Trend, October 2006

The new Commodore has been engineered from the get-go to be left-hand drive and comply with all world safety standards. Even the fuel tank is ahead of the rear axle--changing that for the GTO was one of the reasons GM couldn't spend more money giving the Monaro coupe more Pontiac style.

The new Commodore is a clean-sheet car, so it looks fresh, contemporary, and muscular. GM's head of North American design, Mike Simcoe, knows the car intimately: An Aussie, he oversaw all the initial work on the new Commodore in GM's Melbourne, Australia, design studio before being promoted to Detroit.

A relatively simple front fascia change incorporating the Pontiac split grille, plus the usual Pontiac branding details and official U.S. safety certification and emissions calibration are about all this car needs to be ready to roll on U.S. roads. Holden sources estimate the work could be completed for a mere $15 million. Building a new Grand Prix in Australia also would help Holden maximize production efficiency of its assembly plant in Elizabeth, South Australia. Until recently, this plant was running three shifts a day to meet demand, but high gas prices (Australians are paying about $4.30 a gallon) have hit Commodore sales hard in the past 18 months--sales of the runout model were the lowest in 12 years. Export market sales also have been hit. Getting a Pontiac Grand Prix into production would probably take the best part of 12 months, by which time initial demand for the new Commodore will have eased. A Grand Prix version could take up the slack left by decreased local demand.

Grand Prix By Holden

GM's Australian outpost wants to follow up the GTO with a sedan.

By Joshua Dowling
Photography by Charlie Gearside
Motor Trend, October 2006

Keeping to the tire tracks of the Pontiac GTO, General Motors's Australian outpost wants to export its new rear-drive V-8 sport sedan to the U.S. as the next Pontiac Grand Prix.

GM's Australian division, Holden, launched its all-new Commodore in July, the first vehicle based on GM's rear-drive Zeta architecture to go into production. The Commodore has been Australia's biggest-selling car for the past decade, but Holden is increasingly relying on exports to ensure that local production of its large sedan remains viable.

The car Holden proposes as the next Grand Prix is based on the new Holden Commodore SS-V, which is powered by GM's new 6.0-liter Vortec V-8 with 362 horses and 390 pound-feet of torque, available with six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmissions and running on 19-inch wheels. Holden shipped a Commodore SS-V, the performance flagship of the new Holden range, to Detroit for a strategy board meeting with high-level GM executives in early August.

The American boss of Holden, Denny Mooney, told Australian media at the launch of the new Commodore that Holden could help with GM's plans to take Pontiac all rear-drive. "I think if you talk to anyone at Pontiac, he'd tell you he'd love a rear-drive performance Grand Prix. The SS-V would make a great Pontiac. But I'm not going to oversell this thing. We're going to send these cars over there and let them speak for themselves."

The SS-V will be driven by GM chairman Rick Wagoner and global product chief Bob Lutz, among others. They also will drive a luxury, long-wheelbase version of the Commodore, sold as a Holden Caprice in Australia. Holden had planned to export the new Caprice to the U.S. as a Buick (the design and engineering were finalized more than a year ago), but those plans were scrapped when GM focused its energy toward a new range of SUVs in North America.

Holden hasn't given up hope of exporting the Holden Caprice to the U.S., but it may now not be sold as a Buick. In Australia, the Caprice, which rolls on a 118.5-inch wheelbase--some 4.0 inches longer than the standard Commodore--is available with a 261-horse version of the 3.6-liter high-feature V-6 as well as the 362-horse V-8. Standard transmission is GM's new 6L80E six-speed automatic, also used in the Cadillac STS and C6 Corvette.

*TAG UR IT* · 10-25-2006, 04:51 PM

Those first three pix are sweet. I love the color, styling, accents, interior (two tone looks great), and...I want it with the steering wheel on that same side. You gotta be a little differet, right?

*KILLER74Z28* · 10-25-2006, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TAG UR IT

Those first three pix are sweet. I love the color, styling, accents, interior (two tone looks great), and...I want it with the steering wheel on that same side. You gotta be a little differet, right?

At my former employer we would have monthly meetings at world headquarters. In the lobbies there would be our products that sold over seas ie: 300 + HP Four Door Sedans ect.. Nine times out of ten everyone one would say “WOW, Now why don’t we market that in the U.S.?” The answer would be the same every time “safety standards, cost to much to bring them up to U.S. standards” or I liked this one the best “Emissions” I guess “The Big Three” did not totally understand the meaning of Globalization. I think they get It now…

I wonder how hard it would be to get use to right hand drive. Just try shifting with your left hand, and are the pedals backwards???

*TAG UR IT* · 10-25-2006, 09:24 PM

pedals look to be the same...what'chall think?

*KILLER74Z28* · 10-25-2006, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TAG UR IT

pedals look to be the same...what'chall think?

Yep, I’m a dumb ass, should have studied the photo more…:o

*TAG UR IT* · 10-26-2006, 12:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KILLER74Z28

Yep, I’m a dumb ass, should have studied the photo more…:o

KILLER, I think that's the first time I've heard you cut on yourself!

LowRider · 10-26-2006, 11:00 AM

I can't agree w/you more tag I would really like to have a car w/the wheel on the other side. I would love it.

*KILLER74Z28* · 10-26-2006, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TAG UR IT

KILLER, I think that's the first time I've heard you cut on yourself!

Yeah, I got to spread the wealth, don't want someone thinking I’m only picking on them.

*KILLER74Z28* · 10-26-2006, 01:55 PM

Built one on Holden’s website last night http://www.holden.com.au/www-holden/ check out the exchange rate http://www.concierge.com/tools/currency. I would have to say if I had a Miss she’d be sporting it… I totally dig the Ignition color.

*TAG UR IT* · 10-27-2006, 02:13 AM

That is a nice looking ride...

LowRider · 10-27-2006, 10:21 AM

Man I just created mine they are sweet rides. Tag them are some cool pics.

*TAG UR IT* · 10-27-2006, 11:47 AM

The sig?...Why thank you very much. I had a buddy on z28.com do it for me. I'm trying to learn and am going to get photoshop. I want to learn so I can get numerous ones done for me and also begin making them for other people.

LowRider · 10-27-2006, 01:01 PM

that would be awsome man.

Moose · 10-27-2006, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TAG UR IT

I want to learn so I can get numerous ones done for me and also begin making them for other people.

Can I be a customer??? Like the sig. too.

10-25-2006, 03:35 PM	#1
KILLER74Z28 MOD SQUAD Drives: 2G1FT1EW9A9100666 Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: West Michigan Posts: 5,782 View My Garage	SS-V to Grand Prix? Easy SS-V to Grand Prix? Easy This time, GM has thought ahead By Angus MacKenzie Photography by the Manufacturers Motor Trend, October 2006 The new Commodore has been engineered from the get-go to be left-hand drive and comply with all world safety standards. Even the fuel tank is ahead of the rear axle--changing that for the GTO was one of the reasons GM couldn't spend more money giving the Monaro coupe more Pontiac style. The new Commodore is a clean-sheet car, so it looks fresh, contemporary, and muscular. GM's head of North American design, Mike Simcoe, knows the car intimately: An Aussie, he oversaw all the initial work on the new Commodore in GM's Melbourne, Australia, design studio before being promoted to Detroit. A relatively simple front fascia change incorporating the Pontiac split grille, plus the usual Pontiac branding details and official U.S. safety certification and emissions calibration are about all this car needs to be ready to roll on U.S. roads. Holden sources estimate the work could be completed for a mere $15 million. Building a new Grand Prix in Australia also would help Holden maximize production efficiency of its assembly plant in Elizabeth, South Australia. Until recently, this plant was running three shifts a day to meet demand, but high gas prices (Australians are paying about $4.30 a gallon) have hit Commodore sales hard in the past 18 months--sales of the runout model were the lowest in 12 years. Export market sales also have been hit. Getting a Pontiac Grand Prix into production would probably take the best part of 12 months, by which time initial demand for the new Commodore will have eased. A Grand Prix version could take up the slack left by decreased local demand. Grand Prix By Holden GM's Australian outpost wants to follow up the GTO with a sedan. By Joshua Dowling Photography by Charlie Gearside Motor Trend, October 2006 Keeping to the tire tracks of the Pontiac GTO, General Motors's Australian outpost wants to export its new rear-drive V-8 sport sedan to the U.S. as the next Pontiac Grand Prix. GM's Australian division, Holden, launched its all-new Commodore in July, the first vehicle based on GM's rear-drive Zeta architecture to go into production. The Commodore has been Australia's biggest-selling car for the past decade, but Holden is increasingly relying on exports to ensure that local production of its large sedan remains viable. The car Holden proposes as the next Grand Prix is based on the new Holden Commodore SS-V, which is powered by GM's new 6.0-liter Vortec V-8 with 362 horses and 390 pound-feet of torque, available with six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmissions and running on 19-inch wheels. Holden shipped a Commodore SS-V, the performance flagship of the new Holden range, to Detroit for a strategy board meeting with high-level GM executives in early August. The American boss of Holden, Denny Mooney, told Australian media at the launch of the new Commodore that Holden could help with GM's plans to take Pontiac all rear-drive. "I think if you talk to anyone at Pontiac, he'd tell you he'd love a rear-drive performance Grand Prix. The SS-V would make a great Pontiac. But I'm not going to oversell this thing. We're going to send these cars over there and let them speak for themselves." The SS-V will be driven by GM chairman Rick Wagoner and global product chief Bob Lutz, among others. They also will drive a luxury, long-wheelbase version of the Commodore, sold as a Holden Caprice in Australia. Holden had planned to export the new Caprice to the U.S. as a Buick (the design and engineering were finalized more than a year ago), but those plans were scrapped when GM focused its energy toward a new range of SUVs in North America. Holden hasn't given up hope of exporting the Holden Caprice to the U.S., but it may now not be sold as a Buick. In Australia, the Caprice, which rolls on a 118.5-inch wheelbase--some 4.0 inches longer than the standard Commodore--is available with a 261-horse version of the 3.6-liter high-feature V-6 as well as the 362-horse V-8. Standard transmission is GM's new 6L80E six-speed automatic, also used in the Cadillac STS and C6 Corvette.

10-25-2006, 04:51 PM	#2
TAG UR IT www.Camaro5store.com Drives: 2014 ZL1 #705 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: SA, Texas Posts: 26,558 View My Garage	Those first three pix are sweet. I love the color, styling, accents, interior (two tone looks great), and...I want it with the steering wheel on that same side. You gotta be a little differet, right?

10-25-2006, 09:24 PM	#4
TAG UR IT www.Camaro5store.com Drives: 2014 ZL1 #705 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: SA, Texas Posts: 26,558 View My Garage	pedals look to be the same...what'chall think?

10-26-2006, 11:00 AM	#7
LowRider LowRider Drives: 1992 Camaro Z28 & 1996 S-10 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: WV Posts: 390	I can't agree w/you more tag I would really like to have a car w/the wheel on the other side. I would love it.

10-26-2006, 01:55 PM	#9
KILLER74Z28 MOD SQUAD Drives: 2G1FT1EW9A9100666 Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: West Michigan Posts: 5,782 View My Garage	Built one on Holden’s website last night http://www.holden.com.au/www-holden/ check out the exchange rate http://www.concierge.com/tools/currency. I would have to say if I had a Miss she’d be sporting it… I totally dig the Ignition color.

10-27-2006, 02:13 AM	#10
TAG UR IT www.Camaro5store.com Drives: 2014 ZL1 #705 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: SA, Texas Posts: 26,558 View My Garage	That is a nice looking ride...

10-27-2006, 10:21 AM	#11
LowRider LowRider Drives: 1992 Camaro Z28 & 1996 S-10 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: WV Posts: 390	Man I just created mine they are sweet rides. Tag them are some cool pics.

10-27-2006, 11:47 AM	#12
TAG UR IT www.Camaro5store.com Drives: 2014 ZL1 #705 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: SA, Texas Posts: 26,558 View My Garage	The sig?...Why thank you very much. I had a buddy on z28.com do it for me. I'm trying to learn and am going to get photoshop. I want to learn so I can get numerous ones done for me and also begin making them for other people.

10-27-2006, 01:01 PM	#13
LowRider LowRider Drives: 1992 Camaro Z28 & 1996 S-10 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: WV Posts: 390	that would be awsome man.