I drove a VFII SS-V Redline

[Cobra]

Okay, so many here have probably driven them and some even own them. I guess my thoughts may not be new or original, but I figured those who haven't might be interested in an impartial view of the Lion's final local interation.

I have to say, I was surprised. The LS3 challenged my perception of the chevy small block. I have driven several LS1s and a VZ SS sedan equipped with an L76 and found them rubbish. Sluggish, unresponsive and unrefined.

When I put the foot down I expected much better than the previous model Holdens I've driven. I expected the LS3 to have some decent grunt in terms of low end torque. I wasn't sure what to expect up top, but I wasn't expecting it to be a screamer.

So, much to my surprise and disappointment, I found that the pick up from a 5km/h rolling start was underwhelming. However, what I didn't expect was the rush all the way to the redline. It hammered up top - revved hard and freely.

The car itself is great. Well refined and you feel like you're doing 20km/h less than what you're travelling. Seat-of-the-pants off the line cannot be erroneously perceived, but once in motion you appreciate just how quick this thing moves when the revs build. Looking at the speedo, you think, "wow, this thing is actually quick!

Compared to my '09 FG XR6T, this thing is definitely a generation ahead dynamically. Having said that, and to be fair to my old girl - she's clocked up 261K on the odo while the SS had only travelled 11k! So yeah, mileage aside, the SS felt sharp when turning in, the steering precise and the suspension solid but supple over crap suburban roads.

I still think my Turbo would have it over the quarter mile... just! The mid range torque of the turbo would take some beating! The LS3 is no mug, though, producing every single one of those claimed 304 kilowatts, and then some!

I'm a Ford man through and through, but it was awesome to have the keys of the enemy handed to me for an hour or so.

The golden days of the Aussie V8 muscle car are over. So, whilst I'll always hate Holden as the arch rival, in the context of what this car is and represents - it nails the brief and deserves to be respected for what it is; a fantastic Australian car, the likes of which we'll never see again.