Article Comments - First Drive: 2007 HSV Grange

20 messages, Last post on Jul 01, 2007 at 4:06 AM

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Article comments for First Drive: 2007 HSV Grange - e smart money says the Holden Statesman/Caprice will become the 2010 Chevrolet Impala. Despite GM's Bob Lutz saying rear-wheel-drive models may not be the automaker's future, we're also willing to bet (hope) that this hotted-up version, the HSV Grange, built by Holden Special Vehicles, will be the 2010 Impala SS. (more)

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#13 of 20 Us vs. UK by draw007 Jun 27, 2007 (4:29 pm)
While this may be good attempt, it's simply an another design to emulate what the Europeans have been doing for years - namely Audi (look at the steering wheel controls, for example). Word to GM: Quit copying and innovate!!!! Who is your target audience? Those that don't ever set foot into a european car or those that know what you're copying because you can't figure out what's wanted IN THE FUTURE? If it's the latter, you're always going to be playing catch-up... You're currently ahead of Ford in the US market. Any interest in staying there? Get a focus group together that isn't interested in what's been done for "future" (immediate) production? Get one one that's truely into something more than boring reproductions. I know it's a cliche' but been there, done that, isn't something to aspire to.
#14 of 20 typos... by draw007 Jun 27, 2007 (4:33 pm)
please ignore typos, I've currently got many distractions in the household... sorry, but hopefully you'll get the point. Replies to this message: quietpro (Jun 28, 2007 6:57 am)
#15 of 20 Re: typos... [draw007] by quietpro Jun 28, 2007 (6:57 am)
Replying to: draw007 (Jun 27, 2007 4:33 pm) You do realize that you are able to edit your posts after you post them? The edit command is at the top right next to reply.
#16 of 20 Bittersweet by power6 Jun 28, 2007 (9:36 am)
As much as I want to see a full-size 400+ HP RWD GM Sedan, I am not convinced this is a good product move. First of all this is an HSV product. We will never see an HSV product in the US. The GTO was not an HSV product. The top-line G8 is not going to be an HSV product. The HSV versions of the Holden cars are the most costly, and GM could not unload the GTO (a standard Monaro) at sticker price, I can't see much of a market for the limited production HSV models. So the Impala SS would probably be equivalent to the top version of the Holden Caprice. Perhaps Edmunds should drive that one and report back. Second, a true success for GM would be an entire model line, not a low volume SS performance model. The reputation and heritage enhancement of a big RWD SS model is great but the basic product needs to be good. The G8 looks promising, and the Caprice as an Impala certainly could be too, but it will depend on the driving dynamics and perceived quality of the lesser models. Will this Impala be a good drive without the fancy magna-ride dampers, and 400+hp? Edmunds already criticized the interior for being plasticky... Third is the timeline...2010...And this car is available now in Australia. Isn't 3 years longer than some development cycles for an entire platform?? Did it even take 3 years to bring this particular product to market? If it takes 3 years to restyle and recertify for the US, GM should not bother. Or maybe think about bringing the next generation of this platform to the US and get on that task a bit earlier and sell some fresh product. Lastly, IMO American automobile tastes will be changing over the next few years, economy will become more important whether through free market forces or government intervention, and smaller more premium vehicles will take market share from similarly priced larger vehicles. But that is not a fact, just my guess. They might want to at least consider how to make this model more appealing in a more economy minded environment during the 3 years it might take to bring this car to market as an Impala. I think GM should take a long hard look before they think about this car as the next Impala. -Andrew Replies to this message: nosirrahg (Jun 28, 2007 6:15 pm) holdenguy (Jul 01, 2007 4:06 am)
#17 of 20 Re: Bittersweet [power6] by nosirrahg Jun 28, 2007 (6:15 pm)
Replying to: power6 (Jun 28, 2007 9:36 am) I suspect by stretching the upcoming Malibu (to the point that it nears the size of the current FWD Impala), and offering it with a mild hybrid powertrain, GM feels it is covering it's bases between it and the RWD Impala. If fuel prices drop (which seems doubtful at this point), the RWD Impala could be very popular. But if gas prices hold/increase over the next few years, folks will likely shift to the Malibu. Sure in a perfect world Chevy would offer a 6-cylinder and/or hybrid Impala, but realistically with the car being RWD it's going to attract a more performance-oriented driver; the Malibu will appeal to the economy buyer.
#18 of 20 Why bother? by autoaficion Jun 29, 2007 (10:02 am)
For the price they would have to sell this car at, you could probably buy a Cadillac CTS, and you won't have to wait three years to see if it actually happens. Additionally, the Chevy approach to high-performance sedans is not really in tune with the market anymore - more people are looking for cars that are perceived to be sophisticated performance-luxury cars, rather than the slightly garish "look-at-me" performance sedans in the Chevy vernacular. G8 will already be there too. This would just compound GM's too many models, too many brands problems. Replies to this message: nosirrahg (Jun 29, 2007 11:55 am)
#19 of 20 Re: Why bother? [autoaficion] by nosirrahg Jun 29, 2007 (11:55 am)
Replying to: autoaficion (Jun 29, 2007 10:02 am) But you're also probably talking about a base CTS versus a loaded Impala; and folks don't typically cross shop Chevrolet and Cadillac dealers. There's something to be said for driving a top-of-the-line Chevrolet versus a bottom-rung Cadillac. I remember one of my college professors telling the story in a management class once about a TV station manager who made a point to drive a Chevrolet to work. He made a ton of money (this was in the '80s), and had a Porsche at home that he drove on weekends...but he knew if he drove the Porsche to work it would alienate much of the staff (who didn't make much money). Having worked at a TV station later where the station manager drove a BMW 3-series and the staff was driving Ford Escorts and Chevy Citations, I understood exactly what he was talking about. Even though her BMW was a base model (vinyl seats and all), we all hated her because of it. We'd have been in awe of her if she'd been driving a '94 Impala SS though.
#20 of 20 Re: Bittersweet [power6] by holdenguy Jul 01, 2007 (4:06 am)
Replying to: power6 (Jun 28, 2007 9:36 am) "First of all this is an HSV product. We will never see an HSV product in the US. The GTO was not an HSV product. The top-line G8 is not going to be an HSV product. The HSV versions of the Holden cars are the most costly, and GM could not unload the GTO (a standard Monaro) at sticker price, I can't see much of a market for the limited production HSV models. So the Impala SS would probably be equivalent to the top version of the Holden Caprice. Perhaps Edmunds should drive that one and report back." Err, yes you are getting HSV products in the US. HSV want a piece of the action over there. The G8 V8 is just the beginning. Yes, the Impala SS would be the top version of the Holden Caprice, but big differance is that it's modified by HSV. Plus, it uses the LS2 engine. Also announced this week is that HSV are doing a limited run of a car called the HSV GTS-R. This has the LS7 motor from the Vette ZO6. Bit different though, HSV's version has more grunt. 385kw vs the Vettes 377kw. As for petrol prices, you have the 2nd cheapest fuel in the world, lucky buggers