The powerplant in the monaro's (series 1) downunder were only producing 225kw. The series 2 monaros (@ AUD$58K) have 235kw b/c of a better exhaust...although i suppose you pay an AUD$8K premium for the 2 doors and leather, park assist, etc.. - the Commodore SS is AUD$50K.
True the HSV GTS has 300kw and this uses the ls6 engine....but this costs a whopping AUD$93.5K...albeit with 6piston ap racing calipers and 19" wheels.
What the rage down under is not the V8's believe it or not (not even the newly released Ford BOSS 260kW 4V DOHC 5.4L engine with just over 500Nm of torque - Compare this with the 235Kw 5.7L LS1 used in the monaro and commordore).... but the Ford Falcon 4L XR6T (4L inline 6 turbo) @ AUD$45K.
They are only running 6psi of boost in a turbo engine! with low compression ratio. With a simple powerchip - the power jumps up to 300kW and 562Nm. Oh did I mention the chip is only AUD$1.5K....and before you start saying "yeah but what about longetivity - its only using 10psi or so..."
Ford kept the boost down because sales of the turbo would cannabilise their BOSS 260 V8. They also put alot of security checks in the ECU to try and prevent ppl doing just this - but obviously the tuning companies in australia have figured a way around them...
b.t.w - *Numerous* magazines down under have reviewed the XR6t with the LS1 and the XR6t is quicker by a nose...
So there you have a 300kW/562Nm car for AUD$46.5K or $28.5K USD (would normally be cheaper but the us dollar aint that strong at the moment)....
I don't know what Mr. Lutz is sooo happy about...down here the commodore is the fords b-i-a-t-c-h...
even the Ford's 260kw BOSS owners are getting shitty about paying AUD$7k more - for less performance...
I was always hooked onto the monaro styling - and still am - but down here holden are second class (technology wise) compared to ford...the LS1 is so primitive with the XR6t having DOHC, 4V, VCT, Drive by wire throttle, etc...
The MD of ford should bring the turbo to the states....and show a thing or two to GM...it doesnt take a brain scientist to figure what the local hero down under is - a 300kW/562Nm Falcon for AUD$46.5K or a 235kW/465Nm Commodore SS for AUD$50K
links:
http://www.hsv.com.au/vy/1024/gts.html
http://www.powerchipgroup.com/intera...sp?pid=for0108
http://www.ford.com.au/home/home.asp