IN
BRIEF
Lexus GS F
to hunt M
LEXUS has revealed the GS
sedan is the latest model to
join its F sports model line-
up. The GS F features the
same naturally aspirated 5.0-
litre V8 as the RC F coupe,
sporting 348kW/527Nm.
It’s matched to an eight-
speed automatic and torque
vectoring rear diff. It also
gets styling to match, with
flared wheel arches and quad
stacked exhaust tips up back.
On the inside it has sports
seats, carbon fibre trim and
a digital instrument display.
Lexus says it’s currently
“negotiating to introduce”
the GS F to Oz.911 GTS
loses toupée
THE RETRO flavoured 911
Targa has received the GTS
treatment in time for the
model’s 50th anniversary.
Power comes from the
3.8-litre flat six found in
the standard Targa 4S, with
the peak output bumped
up to 316kW while torque
remains at 440Nm. A choice
of seven-speed manual or
PDK dual-clutch is available,
with the self-shifter capable
of hitting 100km/h in 4.
seconds. The GTS gets PASM
adaptive dampers, sports
exhaust, 20-inch centre-lock
alloys and Sport Chrono pack
as standard. Indoors the GTS
also features leather and
Alcantara upholstery with
contrast stitching.Mules for Holden’s new V8 coupe are
currently testing at Lang Lang
Insignia, though that is expected
to form the basis of Holden’s new
sedan. Sadly for local enthusiasts,
rear-drive and V6 and V8 engines
will be replaced by front-drive and
turbocharged four- or even three-Aussie Brains
WHILE its manufacturing facilities will wind up in
late-2017, Holden’s design and engineering services
will continue to play a pivotal role in GM’s global
operations. Thanks to brand champions like Mark
Reuss, former Holden chairman and now head of GM
global product development, and Mike Simcoe, former
Holden designer and now executive director of GM
international design, local employees get a chance to
showcase their abilities on a world stage. Employees
like GM Australia lead exterior designer, Warrack
Leach, and manager for creative hard modelling, Paul
Clarke, both of which were heavily involved in the
design and creation of the Buick Avenir concept, one
of the stars of this year’s Detroit show.
One Crazy Holden Ute
IMAGES of a heavily modified Holden SS ute recently
went around the internet like wildfire, but sadly it’s
not for any local application. Car and Driver magazine
states that the wild ute is in fact a prototype for
the eighth-generation Chevrolet Corvette, which is
expected to switch to a mid-engined configuration.
With plenty of space in the rear in which to mount
an engine and a low, car-like chassis, Holden’s
venerable ute platform was a natural donor. Reactions
to the images were mixed, but we haven’t seen such
a wild-looking commercial vehicle since Holden’s
own HRT Concept Maloo of 2002, which packed a
350kW/600Nm 6.2-litre V8 under the bonnet and
famously sparked a war of words between HSV and
Tickford about power outputs getting out of control!
How times change.Camaro to be similar in size to the
Cadillac ATS (think BMW 3 Series),
which should result in a weight
loss of around 150kg from the
current car’s 1750kg bulk, improving
handling and fuel economy. The V
we’ll see locally will undoubtedly be
Chevrolet’s 5.5-litre Gen IV V8, which
currently produces 339kW/623Nm
in the base C7 Corvette, with both
six-speed manual and eight-speed
automatic transmissions available.
Meanwhile, work also continues
apace on the new Commodore.
Holden recently confirmed that the
nameplate would continue, and GM
sources in Detroit stated that the
vehicle would be far from just a
rebadged version of the next Opel
cylinder engines.
Until then, the biggest news for
Holden performance fans in 2015 will
be the reintroduction of the Astra
and Corsa VXR models, due to land
mid-year.Mwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww.ca.caranranddrddriveiver.cr.comom