HSV GTS LSA lettuce tomato & special sauce on a sesame seed bun

[csv8]

The back end also hints of Aurion Sportivo!!!!!

[GQ_Smooth]

If Ford can add tech to the next Falcon to get close to Commodore, FPV (which is now Ford anyway) would need brakes, inter-cooler and tune to potentially match the GTS (if they chose to go down that path). I'm guessing that would be an additional $1m in R&D, they can add $10-15K to the current price of a GTP. I believe its a business case. If they chose to put a H at the end of any model it will likely sell fairly well.

[Kable72]

They just need to whack an intercooler on it and up the boost.

[Auslandau]

Originally Posted by XR6_661

I liek fawds so this car is automatically uglee lawl

Like those blokes who forked out $100,000 plus on pre orders before they had seen, sat or driven one? Least pics are out now and opinions can be expressed on looks alone?

Don't worry though. The Ford faithfuls have proven to be more critical of their own than anything else. Looks are subjective of course and because it has a stinking big motor doesn't mean it HAS to look good too!

[Rodge]

Originally Posted by Kable72

They just need to whack an intercooler on it and up the boost.

I believe this is classic Ford thinking but doesn't cut the mustard for 2013 performance cars. Everyone's talking about the super trooper LSA powered GTS but Ford's real problem in my opinion is the huge amount of current world standard technology in the rest of the HSV range which makes FPV product look old by comparison. That and there's better more supportive seats, better looking leather, a proper premium stereo, better brakes and so on. The V8 Calais and SS range also come with a ton of tech and might appeal to some, and will also impact FPV sales to some extent in my opinion.

If we take our blue glasses off for a minute to see clearly, there's plenty here to worry the marketing department "guru's" at Ford. In effect HSV have more or less matched the kit in the Chrysler SRT8, (thankfully), minus the gangsta looks.
I'll definitly be having a look at these cars in due course...

[fgpsi]

Wheels has some new pics

[05_ENFORCER]

No pics of the backside?


.

[Road Games]

Originally Posted by Auslandau

Don't worry though. The Ford faithfuls have proven to be more critical of their own than anything else.

Originally Posted by Rodge

I believe this is classic Ford thinking but doesn't cut the mustard for 2013 performance cars. Everyone's talking about the super trooper LSA powered GTS but Ford's real problem in my opinion is the huge amount of current world standard technology in the rest of the HSV range which makes FPV product look old by comparison. That and there's better more supportive seats, better looking leather, a proper premium stereo, better brakes and so on. The V8 Calais and SS range also come with a ton of tech and might appeal to some, and will also impact FPV sales to some extent in my opinion.

If we take our blue glasses off for a minute to see clearly, there's plenty here to worry the marketing department "guru's" at Ford. In effect HSV have more or less matched the kit in the Chrysler SRT8, (thankfully), minus the gangsta looks.
I'll definitly be having a look at these cars in due course...

Aaaaaaand there it is ...

[tweeked]

Originally Posted by Kable72

They just need to whack an intercooler on it and up the boost.

Unfortunately there is a lot more to it than that. Gearbox cooling and diff cooling are needed at this level of power if you want to use it for mor than 5 minutes. Comes as standard on the GTS. The brakes on the GTS are much better than the GT 6 pots. MRC dampers. THis is before you look at the tech gadgets. The hardware is just better, they are now seeing the benefits of the W427.

Hope that 2014 will serve up something to combat it. Straight line performance is the only light I can see if FPV do the intercooler and boost.

[Uwish]

I like the new GTS alot.
I have booked in for a drive around September.
Hope Ford can come back with something special.
I think a GTS lowered and tune will be something special.

[csv8]

Back end is similar to Aurion Sportivo

[usernametaken]

that rear looks loike a fat woman wearing a g-banga!

[Whitey-AMG]

Originally Posted by tweeked

The hardware is just better, they are now seeing the benefits of the W427.

Great point ! Too often we think that some of these "specials" are just one offs......when in reality there are major key learnings that trickle down to future high performance offerings. HSV has a very good foundation of knowledge to build on here.....one can only wonder where this GTS will lead them going forward.

[PHawk]

Originally Posted by Uwish

I like the new GTS alot.
I have booked in for a drive around September.
Hope Ford can come back with something special.
I think a GTS lowered and tune will be something special.

Ageed!

[stazza]

Sorry to burst your little bubbles, but THIS:

looks ten times better than this:

[buggerlugs]

Looks to "Way over done" like their last couple of models. A bit of a "Try hard". Mind you, I'm not a fan of the FPV stripe kits either.......

[Whitey-AMG]

^^^^
LOL - just realised they share the same Grille pattern........

[Silver Ghia]

Originally Posted by stazza

Sorry to burst your little bubbles, but THIS:
image
looks ten times better than this:
image

Good frontal view comparison there stazza. Shows the GTS front is certainly a messy design and all over the place (upper grille -older bmw or VT?, headlights -cruze, lower grille an assortment of odd shapes), compared to the FG.

[Polyal]

I think the most interesting thing to note is how HSV seemingly up power and I never hear about chassis strengthening, firewall excuses etc...perhaps they actually did invest some of that $1B into the baby properly at the start.

Is that not another consideration for Ford?

The next few years are going to be sweet, live it up until Doomsday arrives!

[Road_Warrior]

Originally Posted by Polyal

I think the most interesting thing to note is how HSV seemingly up power and I never hear about chassis strengthening, firewall excuses etc...perhaps they actually did invest some of that $1B into the baby properly at the start.

Is that not another consideration for Ford?

The next few years are going to be sweet, live it up until Doomsday arrives!

Well, we haven't heard about it yet. We know there were some changes at least to the trans tunnel and firewall because the HD trans and the LSA wouldn't physically fit:

HSV says significant development work was required simply to fit the new engine into Commodore despite Camaro and the Holden’s shared roots. The use of a twin-plate clutch on the manual version – it will be sold in both manual and auto – meant even the gearshifter had to be modified. The VF’s higher bonnet delivered the clearance required to fit the LSA mill without a bonnet scoop.

HSV’s engineers had to engineer a new rear sub-assembly, the GTS has a unique differential and there have been changes to prop shaft and the majority of the LSA’s ancillary system. Cooling requirements were also a challenge and were a key consideration in the restyling of the Gen-F range.

http://www.carpoint.com.au/news/2013...Q0FEJk5uZT0xNQ..

[BENT_8]

Not a bad bus really, looks very Mazda like around the back, not surprised considering how well the public took to that styling.

I wanna see 20 laps at Bathurst, GT R,spec v's GTS...

[Dave R]

Originally Posted by Auslandau

But let's not get side tracked from the topic and that is the Holden designers have an accute sense of humour. More so than some others appear to have.

I don't find anything overly funny about the new HSV designs, in fact they are relatively restrained and look very good to my eyes (of which I still have both). As Ford fans we cannot pretend that FPV aren't selling cars with coloured wheels, stripes, panda eyes etc. HSV in comparison have shown some maturity with the Gen F range and I'm all for it.

[Mr Brooksy]

I think we are in for an uncomfortable wait til we see IF Ford respond with the next Falcon. I highly doubt it when you consider anything performance from Ford (excluding FPV/Prodrive) in the past 30 years.

[THABOSS]

I read the WHEELS article on the Plane back from Perth yesterday and it seems HSV have really made a decent car here (looks aside). I hope someone at FPV takes this and runs with it. I'd like to see FPV use the R Spec nameplate to their full advantage even if they only make small numbers, put the R&D into a car that will not only overpower this monstrosity but also incorporate some tech from our Euro counterparts.

The lighter body panels on the Holdens are the best thing they've done in a while, i'd like to FPV do this, strip weight (where you can), re-think the rear end to give the cars some more traction, even incorporate some supercar tech and have actual diffusers and undercar aero package.

I guess in simple terms I want FPV to build a car that will have Clarkson smiling from ear to ear should they ever test it on TopGear. A car that can take on the best four door cars in the world straight off the showroom floor.

And YES, if they made one, I'd buy it!

[Polyal]

Adrenaline, while I semi-agree I think thats the only angle the VF looks decent, compare the rest and its a different story. Also the Redback R-Spec was delibrately overt (I prefer it). Perhaps find the white R Spec to compare it too.

[Alan D Segal]

Originally Posted by Polyal

Adrenaline, while I semi-agree I think thats the only angle the VF looks decent, compare the rest and its a different story. Also the Redback R-Spec was delibrately overt (I prefer it). Perhaps find the white R Spec to compare it too.

IMHO the GTS looks a lot more modern than the RSPEC in the two photos above. I hate to say it but the FG is starting to look its age to me a bit. I still love the cars, and if I could afford it I would buy a GT over a GTS. Because I'm a ford man and I think it is the value buy. But I'm likely to continue to be a poor non-buyer who can only comment on how I see it so my opinion is all I have .

[Motorbreath310]

FPV can add as much power and as many intercoolers as they want, but if they want to compete with HSV where it matters (value for money, gadgets and gimmickry) it's going to take a lot of investment dollars to do so. Ford have been fairly quiet on this front so as far as I know, maybe they are investing a lot into it. But until then, i'm waiting with baited breath to see what the next Falcon brings. The current situation (bar the LSA) reminds me of how BF MK.II Fords looked when the VE launched. Then along came the FG...

I really hope, in the months before launch, Ford really go all-put to push the next car into the publics eyes. As it stands now, no one even knows Ford have a supercharged V8, or an F6 ("don't you mean an XR6 turbo?")

I'm also hoping for an F6 in the next model. With only a slight power tweak, and some cool new gadgets and a pseudo-stealth persona. Like a cut-price Audi S6...

[Uwish]

Originally Posted by buggerlugs

Looks to "Way over done" like their last couple of models. A bit of a "Try hard". Mind you, I'm not a fan of the FPV stripe kits either.......

How does the GTS look over done?
Very simple and very clean. Just like the M5 and E63.

Also it has a gearbox and diff that can stand up to its power and no doubt abuse.

[Polyal]

Originally Posted by Alan D Segal

IMHO the GTS looks a lot more modern than the RSPEC in the two photos above. I hate to say it but the FG is starting to look its age to me a bit. I still love the cars, and if I could afford it I would buy a GT over a GTS. Because I'm a ford man and I think it is the value buy. But I'm likely to continue to be a poor non-buyer who can only comment on how I see it so my opinion is all I have .

Ones opinion on styling doesnt require a reciept. if we were talking about driving experiences then thats a different story, and as no one has driven the VF then its open to all if their arguement is constructed well.

The two brands will never release at the same time so one will always seem "old", the FG is not suddenly dated (where was this comparison last week for example?) but its at its relative end of the cycle so the wait is not that long.

Its still got the grunt and dynamics and at the end of the day styling is personal.

[redsfan]

other than the row of LED's and the vent they are across the front of the GTS is horn. **** them off and shrink the vents and smooth out the protrusion/growth they are sitting in and it would be bloody brilliant.

It's typical of HSV of late though, to over the top boy racer style for me.