Our OpinionWe Like:Looks, performance, practicality We Don't Like:Long-throw gearchange, thirsty
Subtly refined is the best way to describe Holden's VX Commodore range, compared with its predecessor. Introducing greater visual differentiation between models was one of Holden's key objectives with the VX and the SS is the biggest beneficiary, gaining an aggressive styling treatment that garners frequent drop-jawed looks from passers-by. The most obvious visual change is the use of new teardrop-shaped headlights that dispense with outer lens optics. Holden says these offer better low-beam spread, penetration and beam pattern evenness. Other changes to the nose include a new one-piece bumper/spoiler that houses twin circular driving lights and a larger central air intake. The rear end features a new taillight assembly that no longer extends across the bootlid, contributing to a cleaner look. The SS also gains added muscularity from chunky 17-inch alloy wheels that endow it with a squat stance. Overall, the cosmetic upgrades are a success. The SS is a stunning car that manages to look menacing and classy at the same time thanks to the absence of tacky boy-racer add-ons. Happily, the purposeful looks are complemented by performance that qualifies the SS as a genuine supercar among sedans. Its US-sourced 5.7-litre Gen III engine was not short on power in the first place, but a few minor tweaks mean it now cranks out a bit more grunt for good measure. Peak power is up from 220kW to 225kW, while torque rises from 446Nm to a stump-pulling 460Nm. The engine upgrades include a higher flow inlet manifold and a recalibrated powertrain control module. Higher dynamic range fuel injectors complement the new manifold. On the road, this translates into towering performance that makes it a breeze to overtake semi-trailers or nip into gaps in traffic. Mashing the accelerator delivers a seamless rush of acceleration accompanied by a muted rumble from the big-bore exhaust. Die-hard enthusiasts may find the exhaust note a bit too muffled and a few owners might feel the urge to toss the standard pipe in favour of a more free-flowing (and audible) item. Ford's XR8 Falcon emits an altogether beefier bellow by comparison, even though it can't quite match the Commodore for sheer acceleration. The SS Commodore is capable of sprinting from standstill to 100km/h in a tad over six seconds and can cover the standing 400m in less than 15 seconds - impressive figures for a large family sedan. But, be warned, making the most of the available performance will result in frequent wallet-pounding trips to your local petrol station. Holden quotes fuel consumption figures of 7.4 litres/100km on the highway and 13.0 litres/100km around town. But you won't come close to these figures if you succumb to the temptation to blast away from traffic lights wherever possible. The six-speed manual gearbox offers a good spread of ratios, but the long throws between gears and heavy shift quality mean it takes a firm hand to guide the lever into each cog. Clutch effort is also on the heavy side, but perhaps the rugged nature of the Commodore's controls adds to its hairy-chested appeal. A welcome addition to the SS is traction control, which makes it a less hair-raising exercise to tromp on the accelerator in wet conditions. All VX models also gain a new dual damper propeller shaft with rubber couplings at each end to reduce vibrations. This, along with addition of an "anti-booming" brace to the transmission tunnel, contributes to improved refinement levels, according to Holden. While Ford's engineers equipped the AU II Falcon with a laminated firewall to improve noise suppression, Holden's technicians have adopted a more simple approach, filling the A, B and C pillars with heat-expandable foam to block road noise travelling up the body structure. A noise deflector board and foam blocks under the rear parcel shelf - along with a seatbelt silencer - are said to further enhance refinement levels. Holden has also worked hard to overcome the slightly nervous steering at cruising speeds that is a characteristic of the VT Commodore. The front suspension features a lower control arm pivot that is raised by 4mm to build in more understeer and reduce the steering's directness just off centre. The overall effect of the changes is that the Commodore is a more relaxing car to drive at highway speeds and feels less likely to snap the tail out under heavy cornering loads. Even though the Commodore's semi-trailing arm rear suspension does not match the XR8 Falcon's double-wishbone set-up in terms of sophistication, it performs well in most conditions. The XR8 still has the edge in terms of handling dynamics, but in VX guise the SS has narrowed the gap. Hustling the car through corners reveals minimal body roll and prodigious grip, thanks largely to the sticky 235/45R17 rubber wrapped around 17x8-inch rims. The SS won't budge off line in normal circumstances, but lurid oversteer slides are still achievable if you switch off the traction control. Large diameter four-wheel disc brakes - ventilated at the front - are up to the task of reining in the 1630kg missile when called upon to do so. Ride quality is beyond reproach for a sporting sedan and the majority of road surface undulations are comfortably dealt with. Passive safety levels benefit from a new B-pillar designed to swing with a pendulum effect to direct impact velocity away from the body's most fragile areas - the head, neck and chest. Energy-absorbing foam between the door trim and inner door sheet metal further lessens the risk of serious injury in side impacts. Dual front airbags are standard equipment and side airbags are now available as an option. Inside, the most startling change is the introduction of instrumentation that matches the exterior shade of the car. Consequently, the SS test car we drove had red dials that were just as eye-catching as the car's fire engine duco. The dash surround is coated in a powder finish that gives it a racy metallic look. Hip-hugging bucket seats add to the interior's sporting theme, while steering wheel-mounted stereo controls -standard across the VX range - are a welcome addition. Overall, the SS is an accomplished musclecar/family sedan rolled into one. It has huge reserves of power, ample grip and sufficient practicality to make it a sound proposition as a daily driver. Its eye-catching looks are also a plus, but not if you hope to remain anonymous. The only real drawback is a huge thirst for unleaded, but that goes with the territory when you opt for a V8-powered heavyweight. Ford's XR8 Falcon is a worthy rival, offering slightly better handling but marginally inferior straight-line performance. Ultimately the choice may come down to styling preference or whether you wear a Lion or Blue Oval on your sleeve. | 
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