...it appears the 6.2 DOD engine will make it's 1st debut in RWD cars on the upcoming VE Commodore "Zeta" scheduled next year.

Also, Monaro's replacement is tentatively scheduled for the 2008 calendar year (that'd be our 2009 model year). The design work and engineering work is done, but there hasn't been a final go-ahead given. Officially or otherwise, there hasn't been a decision as to where it's going to be made. It is possible that it would be made in Australia (something "Drive" mentions), and it shouldn't be discounted since Zeta lines are set up to assemble a number of configuations. It would be financially feasible to make the Monaro (and the next GTO) on the same line as the VE, and the Camaro on the same line as our sedans here (suspension and alot of the underbody are the same).

On the subject of Australia, Cadillac is set to be selling the CTS there in 2007, which corresponds with the next edition CTS due out that year as a 2008 model. To show you how assured GM is regarding this new Cadillac, it's going to be marketed overseas as a direct competitor to Mercedes Benz and BMW (above Holden's Caprice and Statesman).

Finally, there is word that we may get a version of the VE imported here on a limited basis, much like the GTO. The initial plan to import another vehicle here hit a wall when Australia's currency went up against ours. But the idea still seems to have some life to it. I'm suspecting (since no one's mentioning which model) that the most likely canditate is the Holden Ute. It qualifies as a truck so won't be subject to many US safety regulations for cars, won't be subject to US tarriffs anymore, has fuel tank ahead of the rear axle, would actually contribute in a positive way to CAFE truck averages, and it's low price in Australia ($19K for the V6 to $30K US for the 5.7 SS, well equpted) gives plenty of pricing room if sold here (GTOs are actually sold at a lower price here than Monaros are in Oz).

The only other model that would make sense would be a VE imported as a Buick. Pontiac seems poised to piggy back off of Chevy's upcoming RWD chassis, and the price an imported VE sedan would probally need to be sold at would favor Buick more than anyone other GM division save Cadillac.

 

SWEET! utes rock

 

Ute's deff pwn. I think chevy should've just done this in the first place and import one as a el camino instead of that fugly ssr they made. It would've done alot better thank that piece of s***

 

What's the word on the new CTS?

 

Intresting to see how it sells...I hope they don't dumb down the Holden luxo range to keep Cadillac alfoat. Still the CTS is alot smaller than the Caprice/Statesman....i'd be annoyed if they brought out the STS. Now that would be more of a direct competitor.

 

especially since ve and sigma are to soon have much in common, correct? itd be essentially very similair vehicles from the same parent company, the only difference being styling (and maybe price)

 

Your comments about the Ute strike me all too familiar. I've been hearing rumblings of the 2nd concept at Detroit possibly being........El Camino"ish"....

 

FPV > Holden

 

I don't understand Ford makes some great looking cars overseas.......and I hate Ford..........

 

The only thing I know about it is that it's a 2008 model, is engineered for both left and right hand drive, will be sold in Europe as well as the Pacific, will be the latest representative of GM matching world luxury brands, and will lose the "Arts and Science" instrament panel in favor of a more traditional and luxurous one (ie: STS and new Escalade).

Speaking of dumbing down, New Zealand won't be importing the 6.2 Holden VEs. Something about either ecology or too much power.

Shame. I was considering retiring there one day.

Scott and 2 other sources say only Camaro and Saturn's SUV are the only ones scheduled as Detroit's concepts

I'm not droping any hints or anything (no one is coming out and saying which model might be the one just yet), but logic seems to dictate that IF there is going to be an El Camino shown at Detroit or anywhere else based on the Ute, it's more likely a pre-production display than a concept. Ute to El Camino would require not much more than GTO's cold weather seals, since Holden already makes LHD versions and labels all it's cars exported to the middle east as Chevrolets.

 

I want a FPV F6 Typhoon, or a FPV GT, or an XR8...
I want the FPV lineup, suffice it to say. that said, bravo to GM if they actually do manage to import the Ute's. I wonder how they would do...

 

Umm, are you sure? reason being this info sounds right but the details seem wrong. Holden have announce unofficially/officially that they will be putting the 6.0L DoD engine (L76) in the VZ commodore from 1st Jan 2006. This is due to the LS1 not meeting Euro 3 emissions regs which will be required in Australia in a few days. The L76 does meet the regs.

Also the New Zealanders don't get the L76 due to the fact that they have no car emission regs (or very very weak laws) so Holden can continue to sell the VZ commodore with the LS1 with no modifications.

I believe that when the VE comes out the LS1 will no longer be used in the New Zealand market as the volume is so small Holden will move to the L76 for that market and not engineer the LS1 into the VE.

 

Sorry about the free-post... but guionM, you are a fantastic source of information.

Keep up the great work... I enjoy everyone of your posts.

 

I didn't get the details on it (phoncon instead of email), and it was only brushed on, and I didn't ask more questions about it.

LS1 is being phased out if it already hasn't been. My understanding is that the 6.0 will run out the rest of the VZ line with the 6.2 replacing the 6.0 when the VE comes out next fall.

I didn't completely get the subject of NZ not getting the engine beyond emissions and economy. Admmittedly I wasn't paying the attention I should have because I had other questions.

Thanks for setting this straight.