9 October, 2014 By: Alex Forrest
Without a doubt, dual clutch gearboxes, all-wheel drive and multiple camshafts have revolutionised the way we drive modern cars and what we expect of them.Sometimes though, it’s just a regular manual gearbox, rear wheel drive and a willing engine that will maximise the joys of driving and put a giant smile on your dial.
Take the Holden Commodore SSV Redline for example.
It has a huge, 6.0-litre engine which is low on technology but big on heart.
Start it up, and the car rocks gently in time with the engine’s internal moving parts, settling to menacingly throaty idle. Still in neutral, the gear lever moves in time with it.
Already, the SSV Redline is making promises about the driving experience which lies ahead.
Yes, that all-alloy Gen IV isn’t big on modern engine technology. It has just two valves per cylinder where other, more modern performance engines have four valves or more, but that’s not the point.
The Commodore SSV Redline is an old-school muscle car driving experience, but one without the classic muscle car foibles such as feeble brakes, agricultural suspension design and wandery steering.
The SSV Redline gets Brembo brakes, 245mm tyres on 19-inch wheels and the surprisingly good electric power steering system which is on all VF Commodores.
Simply put, it mixes the best of the old with the best of the new, including an all-new interior that is decades ahead of the VE’s.
Its manual transmission has a short lever with a weighty shift action which needs to be moved with authority and decisiveness. You won’t be changing gears in the manual SSV with tiny finger movements and a flick of the wrist.
The clutch is well-weighted but not as heavy as you’d expect for a big sedan running a 6.0-litre V8.
One of the standout aspects of the SSV Redline, and indeed its SV siblings, is the brilliant level of suspension development evident in the chassis.
Having recently tested the SV6 on a handling course on a closed road against its rivals, it was clear that in the area of handling, the Commodore was king by far.
This shouldn’t be too surprising given the amount of time Holden spent developing its suspension set up. The V8 isn’t quite as sharp as the V6, though.
To prove the point, last year Holden took an SSV Redline ute to the Nordschleife section of the renowned Nürburgring circuit in Germany. It was more publicity stunt, but proved it metal alongside some other far more exotic machinery.
Other technology in the SSV Redline – which is also in the lesser Commodore models – is Holden’s MyLink system, which includes an eight-inch touch screen and the ability for drivers to sync their smartphone with the car to access selected internet services, as well as the typical advantages of Bluetooth phone connectivity.
The MyLink system also has some embedded apps including Pandora Radio and Stitcher SmartRadio.
Sat nav and a rear camera is standard on the SSV Redline. Blind spot, lane departure and forward collision warning systems are all standard, however the car won’t brake automatically for the driver.
With a retail price of $52,490, this is final development of the Commodore is an enticing blend of old-school muscle car, cutting edge suspension development and in-car technology.
With these levels of luxury and overall driver appeal, the SSV Redline’s value is as strong as its performance heritage.
| Price driveaway (as tested): |
$58,581 driveaway |
|---|---|
| Engine: | 6.0-litre V8 petrol |
| Power: | 270kW @ 5600rpm |
| Torque: | 530Nm @ 4400rpm |
| Claimed fuel economy: | 11.8L/100km |
| ANCAP Rating: | 5 stars |
| CO2 Emissions: | 281g/km |
