Service Cars

Auto Trex drive impression Holden VZ AWD Range

Description

The Holden Adventra, Crewman and One Tonner range now have additional and much anticipated new models in their armoury, with the all new Alloytec V6 engines being made available for the first time.

The Alloytec engines first made their debut late in 2004 with the facelift of the VZ Commodore. Two versions were available, the Alloytec 175kW and the Alloytec 190kW. Since their introduction, the engineers at Holden have further developed the other models in the VZ range to accept the new Allotyec engine with the Holden Cross Trac AWD system.



The Holden Adventra has three new models which broaden its line-up to four; the SX6, the CX6, LX6 and the V8 powered Adventra LX8 which was introduced in October 2003 as the range topping flagship. The SX6 is closest in specification to the Commodore Executive. The CX6 is closest to the Acclaim and LX6 to the Calais in the Commodore line up. In keeping with the passenger car range subtle differences have been made to the external appearance of all three to give each a distinctive look and presence.

Front on, the differences to the Adventra range are the most noticeable with a larger air intake; high specced projector headlamps; aluminium protection plates built into the front bar which widens the Adventra’s stance, and with the flared wheel arches gives the Adventra a stronger, tougher look. Seventeen inch six-spoke alloy wheels are fitted to the SX6, the CX6 and LX6 have seventeen inch five-spoke alloys with dark inserts as standard. A full size alloy spare is standard across the range. Four new exterior colours are available in the Adventra, Impulse Blue, Dark Mercury Silver, Mid Green Barbados and Heron White. Also new interior fabrics have been used in each model to further distinguish the model range.

The 190kW Alloytec engine and five-speed-automatic transmission is used throughout the Adventra range. The LX8 has the Gen lll 5.7 litre V8 boosted to 250kW as standard and no manual transmission is available with either engine. The new engine and transmission package is mated to Holden’s Cross Trac AWD system. This system utilises the automatic brake differential [ABD] software and electronic brake force distribution [EBD] to achieve the desired levels of traction across all wheels. Hill descent control [HDC] is fitted as is Electronic Stability Program [ESP].

Options

Options through Holden by Design include the sixteen inch steel wheel all-terrain wheel and tyre combination, satellite navigation, overhead DVD player, nudge bars, full under body protection plate, a third row seat option and a range of additional load carriers.

Standard equipment

Holden Adventra SX6: airconditioning, power windows, CD player, cruise control, driver and passenger front and side airbags, power mirrors, auto headlamps and remote tailgate operation.

Holden Adventra CX6: leather seats and steering wheel, electronic climate control, chromed projector headlights, 6 disc CD player, additional interior lamps and storage bins.

Holden Adventra LX6 and LX8: electric sunroof, premium 10 speaker audio system, sports seats with eight way adjustment, sports profile leather steering wheel, high mounted auxiliary gauges, roof rack with integrated luggage carrier.

Drive impression

To showcase the new Alloytec engine and transmission combinations with Holden’s Cross Trac AWD system, the new range of AWD Commodores were driven through a variety of conditions on and off-road. The off-road terrain included steep uphill and down hill tracks designed to highlight the Cross Trac system and the various electronic aids, ESP, Hill Descent Control - that can be bought into play whilst driving.

The Cross Trac constant or permanent traction control based AWD system basically does all the thinking for you. Select “Hill Descent Control”, and the only input required from the driver is to steer the vehicle down the slope.

Similarly the Electronic Stability Program [ESP] allowed the Adventra to stay in shape through a loose gravel section of roadway and exit pointed in the same direction where others would have spun. The speed at which braking force is applied to the wheels to correct the vehicle’s attitude is barely noticeable. Holden claim there are at least 1800 calibration variables to cover most common driving situations.

What was surprising was the vehicle’s ability to negotiate some really rough washouts and rutted terrain with its ability limited only by the lower approach and departure angles and ground clearance compared to some of the more serious 4WD vehicles in the marketplace.
On the road the Adventra, Cross6 and One Tonner benefit from a revised power steering pump. This reduces steering weight at low speeds and gives the vehicles a more precise feel on the road. Overall, this contributes to the less cumbersome feel the Alloytec engined Adventra has compared to the V8 version driven in 2004. The 190kW engine and five-speed-auto package is an excellent combination and when mated to Holden’s Cross Trac system gives the Adventra and Cross6 the ability to negotiate some pretty rugged terrain with ease.

The 175kW version in the One Tonner also does the job. It is on the road where it looses out to the other Holden AWD models. When pushed along it feels a little coarse and at 100kms an increase in cabin noise was noticed compared to the Adventra and Cross6.