The only changes over the Chevrolet version of the Trax are the Holden grille and logos along with some market-specific tweaks to the chassis.
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If you are a friend of Mick Brasher, though, you might get another chance to smoke your car's tires to obliteration at the unofficial "Brasher NATS" gathering, which believe it not, is hosted at Mick's…backyard that features a huge concrete burnout pad!
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The General confirmed the news that next Commodore will return to North America in late 2013 as the new Chevrolet SS rear-wheel drive performance sedan, adding that the SS will also be the brand's next NASCAR Sprint Cup racecar beginning with the 2013 Daytona 500.
"As a passionate race fan and performance enthusiast, I am thrilled that Chevrolet will deliver a true rear-wheel-drive NASCAR racecar in the SS that is closely linked to the performance sedan that will be available for sale," said Mark Reuss, president of GM North America.
Australia's News.com.au tied the story with General Motor's recent decision to retire the Impala from NASCAR racing and replace it with a different Chevrolet nameplate for the 2013 series, saying that the Chevy SS will lend its body and name to the new racecar.
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One of our readers tipped us off on this wonderful Holden ad that recently hit Australian TV screens to celebrate the launch of the new VE Ute, or as we’ll know it in the US, the Pontiac G8 Sport Truck (see here). Directed by Mark Toia from Zoom Film and Television for McCann Erickson Melbourne, the TV commercial takes us on a journey through the transformation from the classic FJ right through to the new VE model –ok, they skipped a few generations like the WB and the VR, but great ad nevertheless. –Video after the jump
The muscle-car party in Australia just keeps going on and on; HSV or Holden Special Vehicles, unwrapped the LS7 V8 powered W427 Commodore at the Melbourne Motor Show. While power output figures are still to be confirmed, the W427’s 7.0-liter or 427 c.i. V8 engine is likely to produce in excess of 496 Hp and 640 Nm or 472 lb/ft of torque.
HSV Managing Director, Scott Grant, said: “The W427 will be quite possibly the fastest road registrable Supercar ever produced in
Styling and design highlights of the W427 include an all new front fascia, a three piece carbon fibre rear spoiler, 20 inch machined faced alloy wheel, unique exhaust tips and red leather interior. The W427 is scheduled to enter production in the middle of the year and will be available for sale in dealerships in the third quarter of 2008. –Details and pics after the jump
W427 key highlights
Exterior
All new Front Fascia exclusive to W427
All new three piece rear spoiler in carbon fibre
All new 20 inch wheel
Interior
HSV performance seats in full red hot trim with W427 logo, steering wheel, gear shifter and console lid in full red hot leather
Powertrain
7.0 Litre, LS7 Engine with HSV specific calibration
o 370kW @ 6500 rpm
o 640Nm @ 5000 rpm
Over radiator style cold air induction system with high flow air filter
Dry sump lubrication system with 2 stage pump
Hand fabricated aluminium oil reservoir, with internal baffles for high G loading
Front mount, 13 row engine oil cooler
Ceramic coated, high flow four into one extractors
High flow catalytic converters and exhaust system (3 into 2 ¾ )
Active bi-modal rear mufflers for exhaust back pressure management to improve noise quality
High strength limited slip differential
New high strength six speed manual gear box (TR6060)
GMPT LS7 Clutch with new actuator and pedal assembly for high clamp loads
Suspension
New springs, 30% stiffer than GTS
Revised ride height 20mm lower than GTS
New stiffer rear suspension bushing
All new MRC calibration
Brakes
New 6 piston front braking system (50% increase in pad area)
Strap drive, 2 piece floating front rotors (380 x 35mm compared to 365 x
32mm one piece on GTS)
High friction pad material
* Specifications of W427 as at
The production version of Holden’s all new VE Commodore Sportwagon was unveiled today at the Melbourne Motor Show. The stylish rear-wheel-drive station will be available in the full range of VE Commodore variants including Omega, Berlina and 
Press Release:
GM Holden released pricing for the all-new VE Sportwagon at the Melbourne International Motor Show today, adding great value to its list of attractive features.
The 2008 VE Sportwagon range starts from as little as $37,790 # for Omega, with each of the seven models only $1,000 more than their VE sedan equivalent.
At $41,290 #, the new VE Sportwagon Berlina is an amazing $5,600 less than its VZ wagon equivalent whilst offering a range of engineering advances and safety features including Electronic Stability Program (ESP ® ) , Rear Park Assist and six airbags which are standard across the range.
Having more than doubled the model range from three in VZ to seven in VE, the new Sportwagon offers buyers more choice and more features to further enhance its appeal to both private and business customers.
GM Holden’s Executive Director of Sales, Marketing and Aftersales, Alan Batey, said value and choice would be key features that would attract buyers to the new VE Sportwagon.
“The Australian market is becoming increasingly challenging and at Holden we believe the VE Sportwagon’s pricing, sedan-like handling and stylish design will ensure it has the competitive edge it needs to succeed in its segment.
“The extended VE range offers real choices in practicality and flexibility to both the business buyer and Aussie families.
“With safety features such as ESP and six airbags as standard across the range, many potential buyers will see this as a great value car which ticks all the right boxes,” Mr Batey said.
VE Sportwagon Model and Powertrain Line-up:
Omega Alloytec V6 with 4 speed auto transmission
Berlina Alloytec V6 with 4 speed auto transmission
SV6 High Output Alloytec V6 with 5 speed auto transmission
SS Gen 4 V8 with 6 speed manual transmission -or-
Gen 4 V8 with 6 speed auto transmission (optional)
SS V-Series Gen 4 V8 with 6 speed manual transmission -or-
Gen 4 V8 with 6 speed auto transmission (optional)
Calais V-Series High Output Alloytec V6 with 5 speed auto transmission -or-
Gen 4 V8 with 6 speed auto transmission (optional)
# RRP – excludes dealer delivery and Government charges
VE Sportwagon Highlights
Overview:
Safety
Technology
Performance
Omega
Standard features on Omega include:
Berlina
Berlina has all Omega standard features and in addition:
SV6
SV6 features include:
SS
SS features include:
SS V
SS V has all SS standard features and in addition:
Calais
Calais features include:
Calais V has all