Holden ute flat-out at Nurburgring in Germany
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1st July, 2013
- VF SS V Redline Ute posts 8m 19.47sec lap at Nürburgring; sets world record for a commercial and utility vehicle**
- Holden Vehicle Dynamics Engineer, Rob Trubiani behind the wheel
Holden’s new VF SS V Redline Ute has proven itself as a world-beating performance car by setting a world-record lap**
at the toughest racetrack on the planet – the famous Nürburgring in Germany.
With Holden Dynamics Engineer, Rob Trubiani, at the wheel of the VF SS V Redline Ute the Australian performance icon
posted a sizzling 8m 19.47sec lap – faster than many sports cars costing several times more than the Ute.
“We came up with a plan to tackle the Nürburgring and break the world record for a commercial or utility vehicle
but when we did our research it seemed one didn’t exist, so we decided to set a record instead!” said Mr Trubiani.
“Without a lap record to break, we sat down and calculated what we thought the Ute could do and targeted around
8min 30sec. Initial practice sessions at the track confirmed that was a stretch target so that’s what we aimed for. To
slash 11 seconds from that time with an 8m 19.47sec lap was incredible. There may not have been a utility-vehicle record
before but I’m proud to say the VF SS V Redline Ute is now the Nürburgring benchmark!”
This lap time was set during a full run of the Nordschleife section of the Nürburgring, a total of 20.8km.
The pinnacle of Holden’s performance range, the SS V Redline range (available as a sedan, Sportwagon and Ute) has been
specifically designed and tuned to maximise the three fundamentals of vehicle performance: Go, Stop and Turn. SS V
Redline models are equipped with unique, ultra-sports tuned FE3 suspension, along with the widest wheels and tyres ever
fitted to a mainstream Holden and the first ‘split’ front and rear tyre arrangement.
The SS V Redline split combination of 19x8.5-inch front wheels with 245/40/R19 ultra high-performance tyres and larger
19x9-inch rear wheels with 275/35/R19 ultra high-performance tyres emphasises its track-ready credentials.
The SS V Redline chassis and suspension set-up includes new spring and damper tunes front and rear, larger stabiliser
bars and stiffened suspension bushes. Brakes are track-tested, including front Brembo disc brakes utilising four-piston
callipers.
Rob Trubiani was accompanied to the ‘Ring in April by Holden technician Michael (‘Turbo’) Cutajar to achieve the
world-record mission. Michael is employed at Holden’s Proving Ground in Lang Lang, Victoria. The programme was conducted
during the ‘Industry Pool’ days, during which the track is shut to the public and manufacturers have exclusive access.
“The Nordschleife section of the ‘Ring is the ultimate test of man and machine. It’s 20.8km long and has more than 170
corners with huge elevation changes and multiple surfaces – there is no tougher test for a car and its dynamics. If a
vehicle can handle The Green Hell it can handle anything and proves yet again that Holden’s testing and development
processes produce world-class cars with world-class handling.”
“Being surrounded by mostly European manufacturers at the industry days, the Ute really stood out and I was getting
plenty of thumbs up. Plus a few of the more expensive European cars on the track got a shock as this red Aussie Ute flew
past them!” said Mr Trubiani.
“The VF Commodore can mix it with Europe’s best. The advanced technology, performance focus and attention to detail
makes the SS V Redline Ute a bonafide track-capable sports machine. Right down to the Head-Up Display which can project
lateral G readings onto the windscreen along with a tachometer displaying graduating shift lights.”
“The Ute was simply awesome to drive on the Nürburgring. When it comes to Go, Stop and Turn the SS V Redline is the
ultimate Holden. The redesigned suspension, the electric power-steering system, strategic weight reduction in key areas
like the aluminium bonnet and countless other engineering upgrades has elevated the VF to a new dynamic level. Driving
the SS V Redline Ute at the ‘Ring has been the highlight of my career,” said Mr Trubiani.
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The SS V Redline Ute that set the lap time was a product-correct engineering test vehicle that was being used in
Europe for validation purposes before taking on The Green Hell. Stock standard apart from a small amount of additional
negative camber dialled into the front wheels (although still within production tolerances) and the removal of the speed
limiter, the Ute ran flawlessly for seven days and 35 gruelling laps in total.
The only components that required changing during the entire programme were tyres and brakes, a testament to the
robust engineering of the VF Commodore range.
“We took a standard six-speed automatic VF SS V Redline Ute and subjected it to 35 laps and more than 720
kilometres of intense punishment at the Nürburgring and the car didn’t skip a beat; it soaked it all up and set a hugely
impressive lap time,” said Andrew Holmes, Programme Engineering Manager for VF.
“We completed almost 3.3 million kilometres of testing during development of the VF and it’s a reflection of the
uncompromising and world-class engineering that has gone into the new Commodore. It’s something everyone is very proud of
and shows the world what the Holden team is capable of” continued Mr Holmes.
Mark Reuss, President of General Motors North America and former Managing Director of Holden, also drove the SS V
Redline Ute at the Nürburgring and described the ute as: “Spectacular. The steering system is one of the best I’ve ever
driven – a perfect balance with real track capability.”
About Robert Trubiani:
Rob is a Vehicle Dynamics Engineer with Holden and the company’s premier test driver.
Rob is the only Holden employee who is currently certified as a Nürburgring Industry Pool Driver and is one of only 21
employees across Holden and General Motors North America who holds this certification.
The VF Redline Ute World Record was Rob’s third time driving at the ‘Ring and he has completed more than 150 laps of
the world’s toughest racetrack.
Rob started at Holden in 1996 as a Chassis Development Engineer and has worked on every Commodore programme from VT
through to the current VF.
Rob also led development of the dynamics tune for the Chevrolet Camaro, based on the Holden-developed Zeta platform
underpinning VE and VF Commodore.
For the VF programme, Rob led development of the Electric Power Steering (EPS) system, all FE2 and FE3 suspension
tunes and tyre development.
World Record Holden VF SS V Redline Ute Specifications:
- VF SS V Redline Ute
- 6.0L 90-degree OHV V8 with Active Fuel Management (AFM) technology
- 6-speed automatic transmission
- 260kW @ 5,600rpm
- 517Nm @ 4,400rpm
- FE3 ultra-sports tuned suspension
- Brembo® front disc brakes
- Forged 19 inch alloy wheels
- 245/40 R19 (Front) & 275/35 R19 (Rear) Ultra High Performance Tyres
- Colour Head-Up Display
- Electric Power Steering with selectable Competitive mode tune
- Forward Collision Alert
- Lane Departure Warning
** Holden indicate: Well, we’re claiming it anyway. VF Ute is certified by the Australian Government
(DOTARS) as Class NA – Light Goods Vehicle.
E&OE.
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