Whats HSVs answer to the GT 335

[Motorbreath310]

Originally Posted by lucas2

This is interesting..shows the walkinshaw s/c is still slower than the GT and F6

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZuj3-0mN58

the walkinshaw driver stuffed that launch pretty bad plus the GT was ZF-equipped.

In another Walkinshaw promo video, with Cameron McConville driving they managed to get a 12.4 out of one. I think Walkinshaws may run conservative boost levels or something. After all, they are warranted and an LS3 runs a 11.0:1 compression if I remember rightly?

Speaking purely from my own experience, the F6 does have a top-end advantage but the VE's do get off the line well and they seem quite responsive from a dig too. Haven't driven a GT so can't compare.

I remember being rather impressed my first time in an LS3 R8. 40-50kph, 6th gear, 4 people in the car and it still pulled quite strong from that speed up to 120kph in a relatively short space of time. Brakes were impressive too.

Would love to see/feel what a GT can do. Haven't driven one yet.

[lucas2]

That's true mate, but the GT also runs conservative boost and costs (I'd assume) much less than the walky. I havn't driven a GT either, but when you do let us all know how they compare.

[1TUFFUTE]

Originally Posted by Motorbreath310

Given the large car climate at the moment I reckon HSV will just continue doing what they've been doing. Focusing on tech and features. The ls3 is carrying over to VF and I'm not sure when the 5.5 is being released. If they do put the dollars into an FI product it'd only be a limited-run, premium model like the w427 was.

Until then, the ls3 is fast enough, the customer base is loyal and they make a fairly decent product. They simply can't match the coyote on price. The walkinshaw is 20k more expensive and no faster in a straight line and an LSA variant would cost more again. But many argue and still believe that the HSV is "a more complete package" and they win sales and magazine reviews on this alone.

In summary, it aint broke, they aint gonna fix it, rather they can add percieved value to it for a smaller outlay (tech, features, styling changes) rather than investing heavily in a more powerful engine for a dying market segment when they already have the upper hand (and an export program to boot)

Ford doesnt have to do anything either. When the next Gt 335 comes out with all the R spec updates they will be so far ahead its not funny. I mean were allready talking about figuers over a second in acceleration times to 100 and 80-120 and so on. The new HSV will have to be amazing.
All ford has to focus on till 2016 is adding tech and safety now so they still have a big leg up i say.

[GT0132]

Originally Posted by 1TUFFUTE

Ford doesnt have to do anything either. When the next Gt 335 comes out with all the R spec updates they will be so far ahead its not funny. I mean were allready talking about figuers over a second in acceleration times to 100 and 80-120 and so on. The new HSV will have to be amazing.
All ford has to focus on till 2016 is adding tech and safety now so they still have a big leg up i say.

You see thats the trouble, Ford have been doing nothing and that's what's got them into the hot water they're in now.

If they believe they have the superior product then they need to tell the world about it and tell them why they should buy it.

While the market for large/performace sedans is sinking fast you can't ignore the fact that the GMH share of the smaller pie is getting relatively bigger. Don't HSV outsell FPV 3:2 ? Thats a good place to be in if you don't have the superior offering with a superecharged motor and relatively newer body shape. What they have is brand loyalty and the sooner Ford market their products with this in mind the less chance that the size of their slice of the pie will keep diminishing.