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By
EWAN KENNEDY
5 February 2006
The biggest surprise at the Brisbane Motor Show was the launch of
a new Holden with a straight-six engine. That’s right, a straight six,
because Holden has made a return to its roots with an engine
configuration familiar to Holden owners and drivers for decades after
the launch of the first ever Holden, the 48-215, almost 60 years ago in
November 1948.
Actually we have just seen not one, but two, sixes introduced
in the new Holden Epica. Interestingly, they have capacities of
2.0 litres and 2.5 litres, thus straddling the 2.15 litres of the
1948 Holden.
Comparisons between the old and the new show how far automotive
engineers have come in the intervening years. The new Holden’s
2.0-litre manages 105 kW and the 2.5-litre unit puts out 115 kW.
The old humpy Holden's output? A mere 45 kW. Yet it’s likely the
Epica will use less petrol than the 48-215 and it will certainly
produce far fewer emissions and a lot more performance.
The bad news from the point of view of purists is that the
straight sixes in the Epica are mounted sideways across the car
and drive the front wheels, not the rears.
Unlike the old Holdens that had to make do with just three
gears, controlled through a column shift, the new Epica has five
on the floor. As well as the option of an automatic transmission,
also with five ratios.
GM-Daewoo builds the Epica in South Korea, but there was a fair
bit of Aussie input to the design, particularly in the suspension
and steering, which were tested and modified after long sessions
at the Holden proving ground at Lang Lang in Victoria.
Styling is positive, with more than a share of the looks of the
VE Commodore around the tail. The only thing we’re not to sure
about at our first sighting of the Epica is the headlight
treatment, we feel the kick-up at their rear ends spoils the
shape.
Epica is larger than the first Holden, indeed it’s closer to
Commodore in exterior dimensions. Interior space in the Epica is
enhanced by the use of the transverse engine and front-wheel
drive, but as in all modern cars some of the extra length of the
car is lost in providing more crumple space in the nose for crash
protection.
It goes without saying that equipment and safety are at levels
never even dreamed of by buyers of the original Holden. Indeed,
the 48-215 didn’t even have a radio or safety belts, let alone a
multi-purpose sound system and airbags as seen in the Epica.
Holden won’t reveal the on sale date for the new Epica,
simply saying it will be in the first half of this year. Prices
are expected to begin at about $25,000 and run though to the low
30s. If this is the case buyers will get a lot of six-cylinder car
for a pretty modest outlay.
© Copyright
Marque Publishing Company
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