Aurion SX6, Falcon XR6 and Commodore SV6 comparison test

[QualityCounts]

Interesting article from the Sydney Morning Herald.

http://www.drive.com.au/Editorial/Ar...eID=21521&vf=7

[Aeron]

The Aurion is not the best driver's car here

Its an article for grandpas.

The Falcon....has over-sensitive steering

I keep reading this statement in SMH articles and I find it to be a load of crap.

[Boss 290]

i dont trust drive. i find it hard to believe that the aurion could be at the same speed as the falcon with only 75 kilos in weight difference. reason being is that the falcon puts out 383 torque at 2500 revs but the aurion only puts out 336 torque at 4700 revs

[Boss 290]

it has to rev out nearly twice as hard just to make less torque...it sounds fishy

[Lagom]

Originally Posted by Boss 290

it has to rev out nearly twice as hard just to make less torque...it sounds fishy

The acceleration figures sound possible - highly strung engines can hide their torque deficit during standing start acceleration and the 6 speed will help mask that further. Think Honda S2000 - hardly any torque down low, but rev it out and you'll find those 176kW somewhere in that 2.0.

High gear acceleration from low revs is where the Falcon would beat the Aurion comfortably, I'd expect.

Aurion is lighter and with 200kW has a reasonable amount of power. I could see how it would be similar to a Falcon in standing start acceleration.

Looking at the figures, Drive has used a fairly relaxed launch technique, so the FWD disadvantage there would be reduced as well.

[buddha]

Originally Posted by Lagom

The acceleration figures sound possible - highly strung engines can hide their torque deficit during standing start acceleration and the 6 speed will help mask that further. Think Honda S2000 - hardly any torque down low, but rev it out and you'll find those 176kW somewhere in that 2.0.

I agree with Lagom ... I remember in the mid-to-late 90's when they compared Commodore, Falcon, Magna & Camry V6, the Camry was always at or near the front in acceleration, even though the bigger cars had a torque-to-weight advantage.

I wonder if there is maybe less power/torque loss in FWD than RWD, perhaps.

Its a bit of a pointless exercise, as impressive as the Aurion may be, I personally feel that there is a massive traditionalist following for the RWD cars, where a good chunk of Falcon or Commodore buyers opt for them because they have RWD, and you'll never get them to drive an Aurion, 380, Sonata or any other FWD sedan.

I can't pinpoint why, but I've owned various FWD cars since 1991, and having just bought my first Falcon (95 EF Futura), there's something quite comforting about knowing its RWD, even though I haven't driven it in any way where the car would behave in a way that I could tell the difference.

If that makes sense!

[BeStRaFe]

i think the statement of

"is that the truth? or did you read it in the herald?" is applicable here

[flappist]

Originally Posted by BeStRaFe

i think the statement of

"is that the truth? or did you read it in the herald?" is applicable here

Quote of the YEAR.........

[Smoke Pursuit]

XR6 is under optioned now it seems.

Time Ford made premium sound standard on the XR6, 18's and also side bags.

Originally Posted by QualityCounts

Interesting article from the Sydney Morning Herald.

http://www.drive.com.au/Editorial/Ar...eID=21521&vf=7

I think this particular paragraph regarding the Avalon, oops, Aurion was written specifically for you pal:

There were a couple of bits of hard plastic interior trim and a groan here and there (under the radio and from behind the dash) that could give an indecisive buyer an excuse not to buy one.

[Full Spectrum]

But at Drive we reckon there's more to car ownership than just how well a vehicle goes around corners

There right corners are not very important, We cam always think straight lines like the yanks do:P.

[1TUFFUTE]

i cant get my head around how crap a product the holden six is. Its dead set sloppy. I can see how people will like the looks tho. They are pretty good on the front. Despite this i cant see the aurion taking over the market. _

[Full Spectrum]

Originally Posted by 1TUFFUTE

i cant get my head around how crap a product the holden six is. Its dead set sloppy. I can see how people will like the looks tho. They are pretty good on the front. Despite this i cant see the aurion taking over the market. _

Don't listen too what they say they wont V8 power from it. Not going too happen in a V6.
Check this out and take one out and judge for yourself.
I'm taken a Calais away December 1st, By the 4th I'll know what it's made off with over 1000km in it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jA8p...elated&search=

[woteva]

Originally Posted by 1TUFFUTE

i cant get my head around how crap a product the holden six is. Its dead set sloppy. I can see how people will like the looks tho. They are pretty good on the front. Despite this i cant see the aurion taking over the market. _

What exactly do you think is crap about it?

[1TUFFUTE]

Originally Posted by woteva

What exactly do you think is crap about it?

well rather basic things like 50% of the styling is gay. 50% of people dont like the interiors. For a car that has had 1BILLION $ spent it is way to heavy. It is also way to slow...its a slug compared to the previous model and the fuel consumption should have it selling zero models : It also has a spare tyre that will cost you a further 250$(mote weight)Dont forget it is still about 2000$ more than its competitors aswell.
And then you get people who say...but yeah, it does have improved safety and blah blah...SO IT SHOULD its a new model


Ahh well we will see how it goes...thats if it doesnt get recalled for good :

[Rollin]

Originally Posted by buddha

I wonder if there is maybe less power/torque loss in FWD than RWD, perhaps.

FWD drivetrains are more efficient as the drive does not have to turn through 90 degrees as a RWD setup does, and there is no big heavy tailshaft to spin.

Originally Posted by woteva

What exactly do you think is crap about it?

Have you driven one? A-pillars prevent any meaningful vision when turning corners, and the rear-vision is an absolute joke!!! You could nearly hide a semi in the blind spots and reversing is a nightmare. The HSVs are even worse due to the spoiler on the boot.

Did you know the wheel nuts have to be torqued to 175Nm? Who in the hell can manage 175Nm (either doing up or undoing) on the side of the road?

Originally Posted by Slick__Aussie

I'm taken a Calais away December 1st, By the 4th I'll know what it's made off with over 1000km in it.

Check the carpet in the passenger footwell of the car they give you, If its damp, ask for another car - the water pulled out of the air from the AC tends to drip into the carpet rather than out from under the car...

[SpoolMan]

Your thoughts on the Aurion can be left there also.
http://blogs.drive.com.au/2006/11/to..._than_f_1.html

[Martyvan]

Good to see Quality Counts is back sprouting only goodness about the evil Toyota's. What about ergonomics?

When i am 80, I promise i will only Buy Toyota's, as that will be the trendy thing to do in the nursing home which i will probably end up in.....

[GXL078]

They should have tested a Mitsubishi 380 as well but that would be too cruel.

[Full Spectrum]

Originally Posted by Rollin

Check the carpet in the passenger footwell of the car they give you, If its damp, ask for another car - the water pulled out of the air from the AC tends to drip into the carpet rather than out from under the car...

Thanks i'll get my hands down there and have a feel, Epically in summer time the last thing i need is too overheat in the middle of nowhere in victoria.

[Walkinshaw]

Originally Posted by 1TUFFUTE

i cant get my head around how crap a product the holden six is. Its dead set sloppy.

The Ecotec is a much nicer engine to drive than the alloytec rubbish. We have a number of ecotec and alloytec powered cars at work, all of the alloytec cars feel like the accelerator is attached to a big pavalova. Extreemly un responsive, no torque, the auto box has no idea, its just a horrible combination. The alloytec needs to beable to provide 350Nm under 3500rpm to make any decent impact.

[stevz]

Originally Posted by Walkinshaw

The Ecotec is a much nicer engine to drive than the alloytec rubbish. We have a number of ecotec and alloytec powered cars at work, all of the alloytec cars feel like the accelerator is attached to a big pavalova. Extreemly un responsive, no torque, the auto box has no idea, its just a horrible combination. The alloytec needs to beable to provide 350Nm under 3500rpm to make any decent impact.

Have you driven a VE V6? From what I understand they have been retuned to deliver max torque from 2600 rpm. I drove a work colleague's VE SV6 and was quite impressed with it, very smooth and feels strong down low, nowhere near like you have described it.

[Dave_au]

Oooooh another quality "I hate jurnos" thread on FFAU.

Sometimes I don't think you guys give the opposition enough credit when it should be due.

[MarkAW]

I doubt that this drive jerk has even driven the Aurion to begin with, and possibly not driven the XR6 or SV6 either in a comparitive situation. Even if he did, was it a couple of K's along a suburban road or 100 laps of Mt Panorama?

I have noticed that a large number of comments contained within the report read suspiciously like those contained in other comparisons that I've recently seen on the net. Ford's so called touchy steering in corners was mentioned in a very in depth report done by Wheels back in early 2005. The BFII was susposed to fix this - maybe maybe not.

If people make their buying decision on what some unqualified jouro writes then they only have themselves to blame. Journo are qualified to string word together and that's it!!! You only have to look at channel 9's (Sydney) "The Car Show" for a perfect lack of mechanical understanding - see a lot of stupid celebs pretend they are the b-all of the motoring world.

:

[xr8man83]

god they controdict themselves all the time they are a joke

[XR8-260]

Originally Posted by stevz

Have you driven a VE V6? From what I understand they have been retuned to deliver max torque from 2600 rpm. I drove a work colleague's VE SV6 and was quite impressed with it, very smooth and feels strong down low, nowhere near like you have described it.

I took the VE SV6 for a test drive and it canes the falcon in build quality but it felt gutless compared to the Barra. I guessing its the torque deficit and increased weight which are to blame.

[woteva]

Originally Posted by 1TUFFUTE

well rather basic things like 50% of the styling is gay. 50% of people dont like the interiors. For a car that has had 1BILLION $ spent it is way to heavy. It is also way to slow...its a slug compared to the previous model and the fuel consumption should have it selling zero models : It also has a spare tyre that will cost you a further 250$(mote weight)Dont forget it is still about 2000$ more than its competitors aswell.
And then you get people who say...but yeah, it does have improved safety and blah blah...SO IT SHOULD its a new model


Ahh well we will see how it goes...thats if it doesnt get recalled for good :

Mostly I like it. Extrerior looks good from most angles. I think front on it looks kind of awkward. I thought the handbrake was a nice touch even though this is a contentious issue even with Holden fans!! I also think its verging on ridiculous with the size. Not so much in terms of weight, comparable sized Beemer or Merc is heavier. I just think the dimensions are getting a bit out of control. VE looks massive sitting next to my VY.

Wife's keen on an SV6. Her money!
:

[1TUFFUTE]

yeah ok fair enough..but i like others still look at the stats...which do tell a lot about a new car.My earlier comment brought these stat issues up.
By the way i just watched a new hsv drive past and it had the worst stripe kit ive ever seen in my LIFE.Just thought id mention that

[woteva]

I don't like the race stripes either. But wait.... soon enough they'll be showing up on clapped out VT'S. And those tail lights! :

[nobbystang]

Would love to see tehm bring out a few different overseas writers to compare the big 4, at least it shoul dbe half impartial unlike half these clowns running around at the moment!!!!