So how good is the new VF Commodore SS V Redline Ute around a race track? By all reports very very good. With Holden Dynamics Engineer, Rob Trubiani, at the wheel, it has just set a blistering time of 8m 19.47sec lap around one of the toughest racetrack on the planet – the famous Nürburgring in Germany.
“We came up with a plan to tackle the Nürburgring and break the world record for a commercial or utility vehicle but when we did our research it seemed one didn’t exist, so we decided to set a record instead!” said Mr Trubiani.
“Without a lap record to break, we sat down and calculated what we thought the Ute could do and targeted around 8min 30sec. Initial practice sessions at the track confirmed that was a stretch target so that’s what we aimed for. To slash 11 seconds from that time with an 8m 19.47sec lap was incredible. There may not have been a utility-vehicle record before but I’m proud to say the VF SS V Redline Ute is now the Nürburgring benchmark!”
The SS V Redline split combination of 19x8.5-inch front wheels with 245/40/R19 ultra high-performance tyres and larger 19x9-inch rear wheels with 275/35/R19 ultra high-performance tyres emphasises its track-ready credentials.
small amount of additional negative camber dialled into the front wheels (although still within production tolerances) and the removal of the speed limiter.
Besides removing the speed limiter and adding a small amount of additional negative camber dialled into the front wheels (although still within production tolerances) the ute was a standard production model.
World Record Holden VF SS V Redline Ute Specifications:
• VF SS V Redline Ute
• 6.0L 90-degree OHV V8 with Active Fuel Management (AFM) technology
• 6-speed automatic transmission
• 260kW @ 5600rpm
• 517Nm @ 4400rpm
• FE3 ultra-sports tuned suspension
• Brembo® front disc brakes
• Forged 19 inch alloy wheels
• 245/40 R19 (Front) & 275/35 R19 (Rear) Ultra High Performance Tyres
• Colour Head-Up Display
• Electric Power Steering with selectable Competitive mode tune
• Forward Collision Alert
• Lane Departure Warning
Rob Trubiani was accompanied to the ‘Ring in April by Holden technician Michael (‘Turbo’) Cutajar to achieve the world-record mission. Michael is employed at Holden’s Proving Ground in Lang Lang, Victoria. The program was conducted during the ‘Industry Pool’ days, during which the track is shut to the public and manufacturers have exclusive access.
“For any car enthusiast the Nürburgring is like the Holy Grail. It’s the toughest, craziest, most demanding race track in the world and for the Ute to handle everything that was thrown at it and set the time we did shows what an exceptional vehicle it is,” said Mr Trubiani.
“The Nordschleife section of the ‘Ring is the ultimate test of man and machine. It’s 20.8km long and has more than 170 corners with huge elevation changes and multiple surfaces – there is no tougher test for a car and its dynamics. If a vehicle can handle The Green Hell it can handle anything and proves yet again that Holden’s testing and development processes produce world-class cars with world-class handling.”
“Being surrounded by mostly European manufacturers at the industry days, the Ute really stood out and I was getting plenty of thumbs up. Plus a few of the more expensive European cars on the track got a shock as this red Aussie Ute flew past them!” continued Mr Trubiani.
Here are some other production car lap times from the “Ring”
7:24.00 - Porsche 911 GT2 RS
7:24.22 - Nissan GT-R (2011)
7:25.7 – Ferrari Enzo
7:32.92 – Ferrari 458
7:38 – Lexus LFA
8:26 - Ford Focus RS
8:35 - Opel Astra OPC 2.0T
You can all so watch the lap here:
