Tom C

The M5 pretty much trounced the Holden GTS-R in the latest Top Gear magazine. I loved how the UK importer was upset when told of the results of the comparison. The only thing I don't understand is how slow the times were for each car. Both the Holden and M5 are sub 5 sec cars to 60 mph. Yet they ran 5.8 and 5.9 secs. Those seem to be the slowest recorded times for those cars.

DrJimM5

Please post the source of the article or a link to a site were it could be found. Thanks,

Jim

ijam

Are you talking about the UK TopGear magazine? Or is it something else? Either way, please post the issue date/number...

Thanks

Ian

Tom C

Ian/Dr. Jim:

The article is in the November 2000 Top Gear (UK) magazine. I do not have a link or scanned pics of the article. I have a hardcopy of the magazine at home. The issue also has some driving impressions of the new M3 and the new CLK55 Convertible.

Tom

ijam

Thanks Tom - unfortunately we're now on the December issue here

time to order a back issue...

Kirium

As an Australian (the only one on the board i think....) i feel i should come to the defence of the poor humble HSV GTS (they call it a GTS-R over in the land of the big dark cloud i think?!?) it is based on a $30,000 AUS car... which has, i admit, very average production standards, because the demand outweighs supply of the donor car.. (i think most who read the article would know HSV is to Holden what M GmbH is to BMW and AMG is to M-B) it's the same principle, beefing up a lesser car for more street cred..) here in Australia, the GTS is half the price of the M5, probably has more street cred, especially with the 16 - 35 year old age demographic, than the M5 (which is probably put down to the lame local 2 marque V8 Supercar series..) here in Australia, the GTS offers mabey a quicker car (but only to 100km/h or over 400m, anything greater and the M5 would win) more street cred, half the price-tag and sense of patriotism.. but the M5 is a much more refined car, will blow the GTS into the weeds at speeds over 100km/h, IMHO, is a FAR! more desirable car and is alot less boy-racer than the M5 (which is good for me, but mabey not for others...)

BTW, for those english board members interested in the HSV range, the VX range is out soon in Australia, and should make it's way to england sometime early next year. it is a much more agressive package, and there is more model differentiation... (spelling?)
(and the GTS get's some awesome 19 inch wheels...)

check www.hsv.com.au for the Australian range... i think the Senator Signature makes a far better match-up to the M5 (more luxury than the GTS, but would need the 300kW GTS engine...)

------------------
ho nuovi calzini su!!

pontman

hey maranello!!!
im an aussie!!
i reckon holden is shite, mainly cause it is not as agood as everyone claims, both in quality and speed.

we should get more real cars like the E55 and the M5 over here!

Kirium

good stuff pontman

in comparison with cars like the E55. M5 and XJR, the Holdens might seem to be a lesser breed, becuase they are, the base model is a $26,990 car, compared to around $81,000 for entry to the bottom E-class and $80,000 for a 523i, whereas you can get a HSV Senator Signater for $6000 less than either, and have close to the performance of their top-flight E55 and M5 respectively. what the HSV's represent, and even the SS or V8 Executive for $33,600 or Ford XR8 at around $47,000 is exceptional value-for-money and bang for your bucks, where you'll pay no less than $205,000 on the road for an M5 or E55. It's hard to imagine you are not a Ford fan, when the new GTS' top speed is around 20km/h greater than the E55 or M5 (but only thanks to the limiters) but i don't think you can compare the build quality of the Holden Executive to the bulid quality of a 523i or E200K, it's just not comparing apples with apples mate.

------------------
ho nuovi calzini su!!

JEM

So according to the handy-dandy Yahoo currency calculator, a Senator Signature goes for the equivalent of $39000.

We could use more 350hp $39000 sedans, even if they're not necessarily screwed together like M5s...of course, we don't get anything of the sort here.

Kirium

JEM
www.hsv.com.au

if you like the range, start begging with an auto importer over your side of the Pacific Pond... mabey you can get one converted to LHD..

[This message has been edited by Maranello Man (edited 24 November 2000).]