Next-Generation Holden Commodore Supercar Revealed, Gets A V8 Engine
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Holden has revealed what fans can look forward to for the 2018 season of V8 Supercars: the NG Commodore-based Supercar. And, guess what? It has a V8.
The NG Commodore Supercar was revealed to house a V8 engine for the 2018 season only, in order to fulfill current race regulations. The V8 will be replaced by a twin-turbocharged V6 engine to meet Supercars’ Gen 2 regulations for the 2019 season. The supercar, backed by Holden’s new factory racing team, Triple Eight, will continue through development this year.
Holden will also seek approval from Supercars to run a twin-turbo V6-powered Commodore as a wild card entry at selected rounds next season before a full rollout for the 2019 season. The engine, likely based on General Motors 3.6-liter twin-turbo unit, is currently undergoing tests at GM’s Performance and Racing Center in Pontiac, Michigan.
Holden says the staggered introduction will allow the turbocharged V6 unit to achieve parity with the current naturally aspirated V8-powered cars. And, of course, Holden expects success with the V6 Supercar.
“It is a pragmatic and sensible approach by Holden and Triple Eight Race Engineering in introducing the new Commodore and a twin-turbocharged V6 powered engine to the sport,” Supercars Australia Chief Executive Officer, James Warburton, said.
“Importantly it is a win for all the current Teams in terms of the simplicity and market relevance for an easy transition to the new Commodore in 2018. This phased introduction sets a clear path forward for not only Holden but existing and new manufacturers in the sport.”
The 2018 Holden NG Commodore Supercar will make its racing debut at the 2018 Virgin Australia Supercars Championship.
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LF4 + new Buick Regal = Buick Grand National. GM, just do it!!
For the V8 fans, who think that the loss of even a single cylinder is nearly a crime:
“The V8 will be replaced by a twin-turbocharged V6 engine to meet Supercars’ Gen 2 regulations for the 2019 season.”
Even the racing authorities do downsizing…
The twin turbo six cylinders are eligible to race in 2018. By running it in selected wildcard events, Triple 8 will be able to monitor it’s progress in power output compared to the tried and tested V8. Many of the current teams running Holdens will continue to run V8 powered VF model Commodores in 2018 during the transition time. With only 3 test days allowed per season, wildcard events are a perfect way to add additional testing time, without too much interruption to the main drivers season.
With Holden and Nissan the only factory backed makes signed for 2018 and beyond, Ford having withdrawn previously, other Manufacturers are thought to be in a watching brief to see how the new regulations shake out. The series needs an injection of new manufacturers.
It’s still kind of upsetting to see V8 engines go by the wayside. My logic is if you have to add on something to it to make it equal to a V8, why not just keep the V8. There’s really no benefit to a twin turbo V6 over a well built N/A V8 with the proper drive train behind it. You take an LT1 6.2L v8 that makes 455hp and put a 10-speed automatic behind it and you’re way ahead of the game for MPG. Not to mention power, torque and sound that the V8 makes can never be duplicated from a twin turbo V6 or anything else for that matter. There is never a reason not to have a good old American push rod V8 under the hood of a car with power going to the back wheels.
The twin turbo V6 is already racing in a Red and a black Cadillac racing with Audi and against Acura’s in the World Challenge
A 3.8L twin turbo from a certain Japanese manufacturer already makes 600FW-BHP in ‘production’ NISMO trim, let alone race trim. If GM can’t get 650FW-BHP from a race-developed 3.6L TT V6 it is a sad day indeed.
Why 650hp? Well we are told time and time again that is what the Aussie V8 Supercars are making.
Well some things need considered here.
First this is a tube chassis car much like NASCAR anymore.
Two most of the MFG involved are now building only V6 and Turbo cars. They want to sell what they have.
Fwd/Awd cars are already nose weight biased so a V8 is often not a help.
Finally in gaining mpg in many global markets they have to meet regulations on mpg or engine size so they have too keep the engines smaller and add on a turbo to get it back.
The devil is in the details as to why.
Lame, I guess this is just one more race series I won’t be watching. Fortunately the Pirelli World Challange and Continetal Tire SportsCar Challenge is more in line with my taste.
REAL PRODUCTION BASED cars trading paint and turning left and right. With rules that are biased to safety vs vehicle parity. If a car or design cant hack it, go back to the drawing board amd bring something better next season. Don’t whine to the authorities for everyone else’s machines to be artificially handicapped so you can compete.
Kinda goes against the whole idea of competing to see who is best in the first place.
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