4-day (Economy) Test
Model: Holden Commodore SS V
RRP: $51,990
Price as tested: $tba
Road tester: Joe Kenwright
Date tested: August 2006
Distance covered: 1800km (approx)
A big, powerful and heavy performance car with a 6.0-litre V8 engine and 270kW on tap is not supposed to deliver 9.9lt/100 km while cruising in air-conditioned comfort at 110km/h. Yet that is exactly what the new VE Commodore SS V with six-speed manual achieved over most of an 1800km return trip from Melbourne to Sydney. It was only the city work at either end that saw the SS V record an overall average of 10.2lt/100km!
In fact, if the trip hadn't commenced and ended in congested traffic, the overall trip average would have dropped even lower. The 9.9lt/100km best figure was achieved in a 562km stage in the hottest part of the day through the hilliest sections of the Hume Highway. The trip computer indicated that even better figures were achieved in other stages but were negated at the pump by traffic congestion.
This was not a planned economy run. The figures were generated by tank fills at the end of each stage and cross-referenced with the car’s trip computer. They came as a shock when the powerful V8's performance was exploited for maximum acceleration at the exit of every town or roadworks speed zone. Total time taken for both 900km legs was just under 10 hours including precautionary refreshment stops and driver changes. All speed limits were observed.
The worst figure of 10.5lt/100km for a stage was achieved when leaving Melbourne during Friday's peak period traffic. A similar figure was posted when leaving Sydney as late afternoon Father's Day traffic jammed the Hume Highway between Sydney and the Canberra turn-off. Even though speeds were slower during these congested stages, the constant change of speeds played havoc with fuel consumption.
Despite these conditions, the trip demonstrated that the new VE SS V (to read CarPoint's full SS V review click here) not only justifies a place in a family garage as one of the fastest Aussie performance cars ever but also one of the most economical. An almost identical trip last year in an FPV F6 Tornado manual (minus the extra passenger and luggage in the SS V… For more click here) produced a figure of 10lt/100km in the section where the SS V achieved its 9.9.
Although such a small difference could easily be reversed with a minor change in conditions, it demonstrates that Holden's new V8 engine can achieve similar or better figures than Ford's hottest six.
When not accelerating hard, the best technique for driving the manual SS V on such a long trip was to replicate the action of a modern six-speed automatic. The SS V's big strength is the almost perfect match between its six gear ratios and engine torque for a typical Australian 110km/h speed limit. Each gear allows smooth and easy acceleration between 1500 and 2500rpm with almost no pressure on the accelerator.
As the engine hits 2500rpm, it delivers a 1500rpm starting point for the next gear in the close-ratio manual transmission.
At 110km/h, the engine sits in a perfect sweet spot between these two engine speeds which delivers a pleasing growl in the exhaust note. The engine is so powerful even at these low engine speeds, it can support a cruise control setting of 110km/h without the driver changing down on long hills.
The engineering that has gone into every aspect of the new VE range makes an interstate trip far less fatiguing than any Commodore before it. New front and rear suspension plus a much stiffer platform eliminate the constant correction required in previous models. This is just as well when the extra width means even a slight loss of concentration will have the wheels hitting the lane markers.
The new seats and pitch-free long wheelbase ride were also big factors in one of the most relaxing long distance trips we've done in recent times.
Some family owners might find the SS V's extra tyre slap and roar over some surfaces annoying but it’s a small price to pay for the extra grip. After all, long 1800km trips are not the primary focus of the harder-edged SS V sports model but the fact that it can double as a spacious and soothing long distance family cruiser will be a real plus for some buyers. Upgraded SS V headlights over base models mean that such trips can just as easily be undertaken at night.
Even with rising petrol prices, the SS V's fuel economy challenges the growing trend to fly interstate. The total fuel cost was around $260 even using Holden's recommended 98RON premium unleaded. Holden's own figures suggest that the premium unleaded fuel accounted for the extra urge at lower engine speeds.
In a car such as the SS V which can adapt to premium unleaded fuel, this can make a big difference if it allows the engine to hold sixth gear for the whole trip.
A range of 600-700km before you even have to think about refilling means that discount petrol fills can be achieved at large regional centres.
With discount flights, a typical return trip between Melbourne and Sydney (in this case Eastern Creek Raceway) can cost up to $400 per person with taxi fares and parking fees at each end. The SS V's sprawling space in the rear plus its huge boot generates the same levels of comfort for four occupants for a fuel cost of $65. Even after adding accommodation costs, each occupant can save $250.
The new SS V demonstrates that a big and powerful Australian car can still make economic sense in this era of higher fuel prices if driven sensibly...
Joe's Highway Notes...
The quickest route between Melbourne and Sydney is the Hume Highway with its proliferation of tollways, bypass roads and motorways at each end. Even though it now passes through very few towns in either state, there are more traffic lights in the middle of the journey than at each end!
Leaving at 6am on a Saturday from Sydney or Melbourne with food and water onboard can see you at the other end as early as 3pm even with frequent driver changes. By starting the return trip on a Sunday evening at 6pm, you can be back at home base as early as 3am Monday morning.
If you are driving on your own and want to break the journey with an overnight stop, the half way point is near Holbrook just north of the New South Wales border. Overnight accommodation along the Hume is typically in the $80-95 range.
On the New South Wales side, there are fixed speed cameras at accident black spots. These are so heavily sign-posted that if you trip them, you were not attentive enough to have been driving.
On the Victorian side, the authorities also use fixed speed cameras but not specifically at black spots. Slowing down to the speed limit when you see the Victorian cameras won’t be enough to dodge a fine as they measure your speed between each camera site.
On the New South Wales side, there are several unexpected drops in the speed limit from 110-100km/h. When these changes are not announced with early warning signs and the sign writing on the road surface has worn away, they can be real traps for unsuspecting drivers.
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