Designed for Aussie conditions

Holden stunned the market again – hot on the heels of the Crewman – with the release of its first Adventra AWD wagon, built on the Commodore wagon platform. The company sees its GEN III V8-powered Adventra as the trailblazer for a range of advanced AWD Holden vehicles.

Holden describes Adventra as a multi-purpose crossover vehicle and logical successor to truck-based four-wheel drives: far more user-friendly, family-orientated, and able to handle a wide range of roads and tracks. Its full-time AWD system makes it safer than any rear-wheel-drive Commodore, on every surface.

Holden spent $125 million to design and engineer Adventra and its traction-control-based permanent AWD (Cross Trac) system. Never designed as a serious “rock hopper”, it has been extensively tested and tuned to suit Australia’s unique driving conditions.

Of the two Adventra models, CX8 ($52,990) has equipment levels comparable to Berlina, while the LX8 ($60,990) is more akin to the luxury Calais. Both feature:

• Unique 17-inch alloy wheels.
• Six-disc CD.
• Rear park assist.
• Climate-control system.
• Cruise control.
• Trip computer.
• Power windows.
• Front and side airbags.

LX8 also comes with:

• Electric sunroof.
• Leather seat trim.
• 260W premium audio system with subwoofer.
• Eight-way adjustable electric front seats.
• Dual-zone climate control.
• Level ride suspension.

...accommodation for up to five passengers...
...has enormous load-carrying flexibility...

Externally, Adventra features a wide track, flared wheel arches and higher stature, with 200mm of ground clearance. Its profile features a new rear window shape and full-length roof rack. At the back, a completely new tailgate features a lift-open glass section, and an aluminium protector plate which houses twin rectangular exhausts.

Chassis, underbody and key components have been engineered to cope in more demanding conditions. Adventra’s significantly strengthened underbody includes a heavy-duty engine cradle, front strut bracing and an additional transmission brace. Cross Trac provides a full-time, fully automatic AWD system, with power normally distributed 38 per cent to the front and 62 per cent to the rear. As the computer detects any slippage, power is progressively applied to the wheels with grip.

Adventra’s cargo area is enormous and features side bins, a power outlet and handy aircraft-style cargo rails with adjustable tie-down points. A forward-facing bench seat is available for the cargo bay and allows seven-seat capacity.

The Police Journal test-drove a CX8 on suburban and country roads, as well as some floating and corrugated dirt roads. While it drove like any Commodore V8 on bitumen, it was certainly more secure and robust on dirt. Driving onto Goolwa Beach, it had no trouble coping with soft, deep sand.

With its unmatched V8 power, reasonable ground clearance, and optional aluminium bash plate, Adventra could handle a wide range of conditions, including much of Australia’s outback. With care, it could probably even go most places one would take his or her more serious 4x4. Adventra might only be let down by Holden’s choice of tyres.

V8 dual cab true to claims

Holden has released an unprecedented number of new vehicles onto the Australian market in the past few months. They include the Crewman dual-cab utility, Adventra all-wheel-drive (AWD) wagon, Cross 8 AWD dual-cab utility, the new cab-chassis, and a panel-van version of the utility. All are cleverly designed and built on the top-selling Commodore platform. On that basis, Holden just can’t go wrong.

The carmaker initially released three dual-cab models: Crewman V6, Crewman S V6, and the sporty Crewman SS, Australia’s only V8 dual cab. Holden claims Crewman offers sedan-style comfort, performance and handling, with accommodation for up to five passengers and a maximum carrying capacity of more than 1,000kg, including passengers, fuel and accessories.

With an overall length of 5.3 metres, Crewman is 250mm longer than the standard utility. Even though its ute body is a little shorter, it is of adequate size for most tradesmen, farmers and commercial vehicle users.

A Police Journal test drive of a bright red SS V8 proved Crewman is most things Holden claims. It’s smooth and powerful, has enormous load-carrying flexibility and, for front-seat passengers, is very comfortable. It is only let down by the rear seat, which lacks legroom and is not at all comfortable.

Dual cabs are a compromise, and none offers rear-seat comfort akin to a sedan. Manufacturers grapple with the need for four doors, five passengers and effective cargo space, without making the car the size of a stretch limo. Clearly, many buyers will use the rear seat to store gear, or park the family dog, and its comfort won’t be an issue.

Crewman ($32,490) and Crewman S ($38,740) feature Holden’s faithful 3.8-litre V6 with automatic transmission. The SS ($46,140) features a 225kW version of the GEN III V8 and is available with either a six-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission.

Retro coupé a sensation

Mazda has returned to rotary power with the introduction of its stunning retro-looking RX-8 sports coupé. Powered by a compact Renesis rotary engine, the RX-8 incorporates every attribute of a true sports car, with some dynamic features rarely seen in a car of this type.

Nissan’s fabulous 350Z (Enthusiasts’ delight, Police Journal, December 2003) is the RX-8’s nearest rival but, in some key areas, they are poles apart. Both feature front-mounted engines and a carbon fibre tail shaft driving the rear wheels through either a close-ratio six-speed manual gearbox or automatic transmission. Both are very powerful, and have taut chassis with suspension, steering and brakes that make them exhilarating to drive.

While the 350Z has a slick 3.5-litre, 206kW V6 engine, the RX-8 features a comparatively tiny 1.3-litre (654cc x 2) naturally aspirated twin rotary engine. Nonetheless, in manual models, it belts out a staggering 177kW of power at 8,200rpm. Redline comes at 9,000rpm, with zero to 100km/h achieved in just 6.2 seconds (manual).

Where the 350Z only has two seats, designers have somehow been able to fit four comfortable seats into the RX-8’s compact body. Two moulded rear seats offer more headroom and legroom than many bigger cars, and can accommodate adults without the need to compromise driver or front-seat passenger legroom.

...pulls hard all the way to redline...
...corners, brakes and steers superbly...

A clever design feature, that Mazda calls its Freestyle Door System, allows unrestricted passenger access to the rear. One gains this access by first opening the front door, and then the smaller, rearward-opening back door. No B pillar exists to restrict access, and the whole side of the car is open. This system provides easier rear-seat access than does even Holden’s much larger Monaro.

Inside, this car is a true sports machine, with very comfortable sports-style driver and front passenger seats. Its colour-coded, leather steering wheel, which features cruise and audio functions, is one of the best around, and the small, short-throw gear lever is a delight. The gauge layout features a very large tacho with digital speedo readout on its face.

Sensational to drive, RX-8’s rotary engine pulls hard all the way to redline, its gearbox is superb and the car is beautifully balanced. It corners, brakes and steers superbly, and its ride, although firm, is better than the 350Z’s. It’s keenly priced at $56,170 (manual) and $57,000 (auto), and comes with a huge list of all the wanted comfort and safety features.

A luxury model costs around $6,000 more, and includes:

• Coloured leather trim.
• Premium Bose sound system.
• Xenon headlamps.
• Power driver’s seat.
• Drilled alloy pedals.

It’s no wonder RX-8 tied with Subaru’s WRX for best sports car under $57,000 in the recent Australia’s Best Car awards. It looks the part, is sensational to drive and offers real space and versatility. Full marks, Mazda.

Only sedate to the eye

Like the sound of a versatile, family-sized, all-wheel-drive wagon, with WRX-like power? Subaru’s new XT Forester offers all that – and more.

Forester XT replaces the previous turbocharged 2.0-litre GT, and supplements the current Forester X, XS and XS Luxury, all of which feature a normally aspirated 2.5-litre Boxer engine. The XT comes with two equipment levels similar to the XS and XS Luxury models.

The big difference is above and below the bonnet. XT features that distinctive bonnet scoop, the sign of a turbocharger lurking beneath. Where the standard 2.5-litre engine offers 112kW, and the previous GT 2.0-litre produced 130kW, the XT’s blown 2.5-litre donk can muster an impressive 155kW at 5,600rpm.

But, beyond that, the XT produces 320Nm of torque, substantially more than the 223Nm the normally aspirated motor offers. With a towing capacity of 1,400kg and its additional torque, the XT should have no trouble towing medium-sized boats and caravans, and can now compete with the likes of Mazda’s Tribute and Ford’s Escape.

Of course, the extra power comes at a cost, which shows up in the purchase price, economy and its requirement for premium unleaded fuel. But this relatively sedate-looking, chunky wagon is exhilarating to drive. It goes from zero to 100km/h in 6.4 seconds (manual), only a fraction slower than the WRX. Even the auto version can reach the magical 100km/h in 6.8 seconds, around 3.5 seconds quicker than its normally aspirated cousins.

Both XT models come very well equipped, with:

• ABS brakes.
• Dual front airbags.
• Climate-control air conditioning.
• Six-disc CD audio system.
• Central locking.
• Cruise control.
• Power windows and mirrors.
• Alloy wheels.
• Self-levelling rear suspension.

The Police Journal test-drove the auto Luxury model, which also features front side airbags, leather trim and a huge electric sunroof. Inside and out, it’s delightful in every way. Nicely appointed and finished, it has a solid robust feel, and offers excellent performance and exceptional safety.

The engine is smooth and generally quiet but, when pushed, it exhibits that throaty yet inoffensive “Boxter” sound. Its gate-style auto shift is easy to use and the slick four-speed auto box easily handles the additional power. Although it’s very quick out of the blocks, the XT doesn’t handle or steer nearly as well as the WRX.

With prices starting at $39,490, the XT is a worthwhile addition to the popular Forester range.