Holden VF Commodore SS V Redline 2013 Track Review

Holden's track-tuned VF Commodore SS V Redline model is the best-steering, sharpest handling, fastest Commodore yet. Granted, it commands a hefty $6000 premium over the SS V but the changes to the new range-topping Commodore's suspension, brakes, tyres and steering - not to mention a few tech upgrades - deliver impressive bang for your buck.

That Holden chose to unleash the car at the Phillip Island race circuit -- a venue usually reserved for Holden Special Vehicles -- is testament to the confidence the company has in the car. Then again, this car is a bit special in its own right...

The biggest changes to the car centre on the chassis, in particular the firmer suspension which benefits from new lightweight aluminium components (including upper lateral links), bigger, re-tuned dampers and the biggest diameter stabiliser bar ever used on a Commodore (26mm front, 28mm rear).

Together with a new electronic power steering setup that turns the wheels faster and delivers more feedback, you basically have a Commodore that turns into corners more confidently, and maintains higher corners speeds and flatter attitudes.

And importantly, the SS V Redline -- available as wagon, ute or sedan -- is more fun to drive.

The Redline tracks through corners without much body roll which gives the driver the confidence to push the car to its limit -- and safely beyond if you want. Hit the stability control button twice and the steering becomes sharper, and the stability control less invasive as Competition Mode is engaged. It essentially allows drivers to drift and powerslide the car and spin the wheels without being rebuked.

According to one Holden engineer, Competition Mode is designed mainly for race tracks, to "have fun without the fear of losing control". And it works beautifully. It provides the driver with more scope than BMW's M Dynamic Mode (MDM) to fishtail through corners, but will still catch the car and set it straight if the driver really screws up.

Probably the best-handling Commodore we've tested, it’s particularly stable on tricky high speed sweeping corners, such as Phillip Island's Lukey Heights. It's also the most involving Commodore we've driven, despite the lack of powertrain changes.

While we’d like more bark from the 270kW/530Nm engine, it still has a good spread of torque that helps the car punch out of corners at grin-inducing velocities. The addition of a launch control system on manual models - holding revs at around 4000rpm until the clutch is released - ensures the car accelerates extremely quickly from standstill. You want smoking tyres? You got it.

At a professionally set up 1/8 mile drag strip on Phillip Island's main straight (see motoring.com.au's Facebook page for a short video), I managed to hustle the six-speed manual Redline ute from 0-100km/h in 5.6 seconds according to our Vbox GPS speed tracker. That dropped to 5.5 seconds with launch control.

Holden has also beefed up the brakes, fitting big 355mm front rotors and new, four-piston Brembo calipers. There's good pedal feel and enough brute force to lock up the wheels should you stand on the anchors hard, as ABS chimes in to iron out the kinks.

We were only given three-lap sessions around the Island so it's not clear if the brakes will withstand repeated punishment, but considering the sedan weighs 1766kg the braking force on offer is impressive.

In the 100-0km/h benchmark brake test, Holden claims stopping distances have improved from 40.9 metres to 38.6 metres, compared to the previous VE Redline.

The VF Redline also gets split width tyres -- a first for Holden -- with 245/40 front and 275/35 rear tyres wrapped around 19-inch forged alloy wheels. The extra tyre width helps with rear-end grip when attempting to get 270kW/530Nm to the ground.

Standard equipment is generous, with highlights including leather-appointed sports seats, dual-zone climate control, touch-screen infotainment and a cool head-up display (with F1-style gear shift indicators).

Other tasty features are the faux-suede interior accents, lane departure warning and forward collision alert systems plus satellite navigation, voice control and SIRI eyes free iPhone input. Electric windows and mirrors, Bluetooth phone and music streaming and a sports steering are also part of the Redline equipment list, while sedan models are already proving popular due to a Bose nine-speaker stereo and sunroof as standard.

The Holden SS V Redline sedan (from $51,490 plus on-roads) is priced $6000 above the SS V ($45,490) but is already accounting for around half of all V8 Commodore sales. Options are limited to automatic transmission ($2200) and various cosmetic tweaks like a larger rear spoiler ($500) and metallic paint ($500).

What a day at the track shows is that Holden's rampaging Redline comes tantalisingly close to HSV-levels of performance. It really is that good.

We've also written a road test of the Holden Commodore SS V Redline, complete with fuel economy figures and our thoughts on its suitability as a daily driver.

If the Redline Commodore had any glaring shortcomings, they would have been exposed at 220km/h on the race track, but this car is hard to fault. We didn't get to drive the Redline Sportwagon, but the sedan felt more settled than the ute, whose load-bearing rear end is more stiffly sprung. Then again the ute is lighter, cheaper and wags its tail more eagerly.

Arguably the best Commodore Holden’s built, the toughest decision will be which body style to choose...

Holden Commodore SS V Redline pricing (not including on-road costs)
SS V Redline Sedan (manual) $51,490
SS V Redline Sedan (auto) $53,690
SS V Redline Sportwagon (auto) $55,690
SS V Redline Ute (manual) $48,990
SS V Redline Ute (auto) $50,690