Toyota Aurion AT-X and Holden Commodore VE Omega Road Tested by MSN

[Blitz_]

Terrificly enjoyable and thorougly enjoyable write-up, very good read start to finish MSN. Bit suprised that even after all these years the BA has some fight left in it, and I certainly wasn't suprised by your writeup of the 380, certainly a very under-rated car, an unfortunate thing for the Australian motoring scene.

Well done to the Aurion, pipped the Commo and suprised me when you stated how good its ride / dynamics were.


p.s. i have to admit, I enjoyed reading this at least twice as much as anything from drive.com or GoAuto

[adrenaline]

Wow, that's a shocker. I'll have to give the Aurion more credit from now on. I still don't like it, however. The styling is a turn off (what appears to be chrome on a base model is appealing though). Not that the Omega is any more exciting. Being the Ford supporter that I am, I will say the BFII XT looks better than both up the front. Ford made it alot more agressive and I love the darkened headlights. The body is trumped by the rest of the field though.

btw you say there isn't a difference between ba and bf but there is.

Alot of people dismiss the BF improvement, but it was really significant, mechanically. An upgraded engine, alot of money spent on cabin noise levels and a few other things really do make it more than just a simple facelift, to the point where Carsguide said they would jump either way - XT or Omega.

[adrenaline]

p.s. i have to admit, I enjoyed reading this at least twice as much as anything from drive.com or GoAuto

Yeah, MSN gives brilliant reviews. GoAuto, Drive.com.au just don't cut the mustard IMO.

[henk4]

Yeah, MSN gives brilliant reviews. GoAuto, Drive.com.au just don't cut the mustard IMO.

yes they are dependent on advertising.....and on getting press cars

[blingbling]

Wouldn't it have just been easier to post the link?

[SlickHolden]

Here is a VE SV6, Tell me did the 180 sound like this?
Pisssss 195 over engine.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jA8pDdWamk


Were all 3 of you in the omega always?.

I'm suprissed you can drive base models that fast I got sore eyes now.

[adrenaline]

Wouldn't it have just been easier to post the link?

Wouldn't it have just been easier to read the article and realise that it was written by our very own Motorsportnerd.

[blingbling]

Wouldn't it have just been easier to read the article and realise that it was written by our very own Motorsportnerd.

....owned

[motorsportnerd]

now these are all unknown quantities to me, so I have a lot of reading to do, and I am sure it will be worth it.

Just comparing the Toyota V6 and the Commodore, or Omega (?) V6 engines, I noted that the toyota has max torque at 4700 and max bhp at 6000, or at the red line, the Omega had max power at 6000 as well, but max torque at 2600 only. I think that would make the Toyota less pleasant/easy to drive. The fuel consumption difference is also significant...

Easy enough to explain. While the Toyota develops peak torque at 4700rpm, it has a large percentage of this torque available from low rpm. I'd have to search for the torque curve figures, but it felt like at least 70% of the torque was available from just under 2000rpm. Also, with a six speed gearbox, the Toyota has more ratios available to ensure it is less likely to fall into a hole in its torque curve.
What interested me more was the Commodore's figures. The didn't feel that torquey low down and it didn't like been revved to 6000 rpm where it developed its max power. And with only a four-speed transmission, it was caught out of its torque/power band more easily.

[henk4]

Easy enough to explain. While the Toyota develops peak torque at 4700rpm, it has a large percentage of this torque available from low rpm. I'd have to search for the torque curve figures, but it felt like at least 70% of the torque was available from just under 2000rpm. Also, with a six speed gearbox, the Toyota has more ratios available to ensure it is less likely to fall into a hole in its torque curve.
What interested me more was the Commodore's figures. The didn't feel that torquey low down and it didn't like been revved to 6000 rpm where it developed its max power. And with only a four-speed transmission, it was caught out off cam more easily.

thanks, indeed a torque curve for the Toyota would be interesting...were both cars automatics?

[crisis]

Would be interesting to see how the six speed auto Commodore compared. Sure you have plenty of time!
Good comparo by the way.

[motorsportnerd]

thanks, indeed a torque curve for the Toyota would be interesting...were both cars automatics?

Yes they were automatics.

[motorsportnerd]

Would be interesting to see how the six speed auto Commodore compared. Sure you have plenty of time!
Good comparo by the way.

Since all the six speed auto Commodores are V8s they'd be in a completely different league. Still if I get the chance I'll jump at it.

[nota]

Yeah, MSN gives brilliant reviews.

Yep he sure does, and significantly he pays out of his own pocket to obtain the cars, test them and deliver these excellent, realistic & well written reviews to us .. thanks MSN!

GoAuto, Drive.com.au just don't cut the mustard IMO.

Maybe these outfits should consider engaging the services of MSN in their appraisal process, instead of employing yet more 'cadet editor' journos that are exuded (sausage fashion) fresh out of professional writing school?


Btw from MSN's pics I note than Holden has disappointingly followed Falcon's unwelcome trend in no longer gracing their tachos (and their owners) with a redline

[IBrake4Rainbows]

On Auto Commodores it shouldn't be an issue.

and anyway, the red line takes away from the aesthetic, daaaahling.