Commodore Redline gives your pulse a rev
History will show the VF Commodore wasn't enough to save Holden's Australian car-making operations but the SS V Redline only reinforces the quality of the VF range.
The Redline was once a package people could buy but it now headlines the non-HSV Commodore range.
Like the SS V it gets a 260kW 6.0-litre V8 petrol, which grows to 270kW in the manual test car.
It also benefits from more track- minded perks such as a more race- ready suspension set-up, wider rims at the back than at the front and fatter 275/35 Potenza tyres.
For when you really want to push things there's the Competitive Mode which allows for launch control, alters the steering and backs off the electronic stability control.
The result is a lot of old-school muscle fun. Though you may not self-identify as a bogan, this may make you want to drive like one (but try to keep it to the track).
A prod of the accelerator flicks the back end out around corners without ever feeling like it's getting away from you (more to do with the ESC technology than driving prowess, it must be said).
The engine will happily roar out to the redline while the excellent Brembo brakes allow for composed, linear braking. True, it lacks the straight-line speed of some of its competitors and its HSV brethren powered by a bigger 6.2-litre V8, but the Redline is surprisingly easy to manage on the twisty stuff. Soon, it becomes easy to tell where the line between efficient speed and hooliganism is and how close to (or beyond) that line you want to get.
The clutch might take a few drives to nail its sweet spot.
Inside, things are pretty schmick. As well as the usual connectivity suspects such as Bluetooth, voice control, sat nav and the like, you also get a colour head-up display with a range of information on it, parking cameras and sensors, lane- departure warning, dual zone climate control, sunroof, nine-speaker Bose stereo . . . it's wanting for little.
This makes it quite the easy car to live with, though there are a few annoyances.
The parking sensors are among the most annoying you'll find. You could be alone in the middle of a desert and they'd start beeping at you hysterically.
Also, the big V8 is, unsurprisingly, a tad thirsty. It's claimed figure of 11.8L/100km is better than many of its competitors but after a week of urban, country and freeway driving it guzzled 14L/100km.
That said, the V8 is rather muffled. This means you can drive down your street without attracting scowls from neighbours.
But many drivers would prefer a more boisterous V8 yell in the cabin - an adjustable exhaust system would be a handy option.
For a car with an eye on the track, it is admirably comfortable. In fact, just being in a big sedan (a manual, no less) was a refreshing reminder of their appeal, especially for bigger blokes.
The Redline's sports seats are made for wide Aussie bottoms so they don't dig into your kidneys.
You can also have adults comfortably seated in the back without them complaining like children and you can pile your stuff into the deep boot.
Maybe it's nostalgia but you can't help but feel at home in a car that is specifically made to be at home in Australian conditions - even a hardcore version like this.
VERDICT
The SSV Redline is a great package for Holden fans looking for a brutish V8 to take to the track once in a while, but can't quite stretch into the HSV price bracket.
HOLDEN COMMODORE
Model SSV Redline sedan
Price $52,490
Engine 6.0-litre V8 petrol
Outputs 270kW/530Nm
Transmission Six-speed manual
Thirst 11.8L/100km
COMPETITORS
FORD FALCON
Model FPV GS
Price $57,870
Engine 5.0-litre V8 supercharger petrol
Outputs 315kW/545Nm
Transmission Six-speed manual
Thirst 13.6L/100km
CHRYSLER 300
Model SRT8 Core
Price $56,000
Engine 6.4-litre V8 petrol
Outputs 347kW/631Nm
Transmission Five-speed automatic
Thirst 13.0L/10km
HONDA ACCORD
Model V6L
Price $51,990
Engine 3.5-litre six-cylinder petrol
Outputs 206/kW339Nm
Transmission Six-speed automatic
Thirst 9.2L/100km
