Calais Gets Blown Away

zebby · 13-10-2009, 08:13 PM

http://www.caradvice.com.au/44132/20...ar-comparison/

ILLaViTaR · 13-10-2009, 08:28 PM

Good to hear.

Also good to see they use actual tests instead of opinions.
(eg. Cabin noise at 100km/h on sealed roads was 73dB, usually you read "The calias was quieter and is a better car overall".

Franco Cozzo · 13-10-2009, 08:29 PM

Out of all the cars, I reckon the Aurion has the best looking cluster out of them all:

Its also good to see Ford getting up there with the awards.

phillyc · 13-10-2009, 08:30 PM

General Morons Commodore last from 6 large cars.
Ford Falcon G6ET winner!

**Falcon Coupe** · 13-10-2009, 08:32 PM

Well deserved recognition for G6ET.

burnz · 13-10-2009, 08:41 PM

isn't the toyota made in oz??

phillyc · 13-10-2009, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by burnz

isn't the toyota made in oz??

Yes it is. But it is Japanese designed, which is why it's entered as a Japanese 'competitor'.

Much like the Accord is Japanese 'competitor' but AFAIK is made in Thailand.

phillyc · 13-10-2009, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Falcon Coupe

Well deserved recognition for G6ET.

Plenty of good quotes, shame Ford won't use them.

As for the performance. Holy smoking...
0-100 4.97s
400m 13.25s

VE 3.6L which Wheels said was going to be the new "hottest six since the charger" was an ordinary 7.25s and slowest of the 5 cars, plus 1 jet (G6ET!)

Antwon · 13-10-2009, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XCPWSF

Out of all the cars, I reckon the Aurion has the best looking cluster out of them all:

Its also good to see Ford getting up there with the awards.

Have to disagree, the screen looks tacky, and so does the trip button thingo.

I like the big centre screen and buttons on the sides/steering wheel like the Fords and Holdens.

csv8 · 13-10-2009, 09:30 PM

Goes to show Holdens marketing dept could sell ice to eskimo's !!!
When is FORD going to do something about their marketing dept!!!!!!!!!!!

vztrt · 13-10-2009, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phillyc

VE 3.6L which Wheels said was going to be the new "hottest six since the charger" was an ordinary 7.25s and slowest of the 5 cars, plus 1 jet (G6ET!)

Have they put the new sidi up against the G6E?

XR6_190 · 13-10-2009, 10:04 PM

Great article, really makes Wheels seem idiotic. One thing that confuses me, why did they use a turbo Falcon? All of the competitors were NA 6 cylinders. That said though, I would still think that the G6E would have won anyway.

Mr Hardware · 13-10-2009, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XCPWSF

Out of all the cars, I reckon the Aurion has the best looking cluster out of them all:

Snip

King oath.

Fairlane · 13-10-2009, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XR6_190

Great article, really makes Wheels seem idiotic. One thing that confuses me, why did they use a turbo Falcon? All of the competitors were NA 6 cylinders. That said though, I would still think that the G6E would have won anyway.

Price Calais V and G6ET were similiar in price. Plus im betting Ford rammed a press fleet Turbo down their throat to get this outcome. Dont think it really matters, Ford one the test for its overall refinement not its sheer grunt. I dont think even a v8 Calais V would have done much better, sure it has the performance, but the world has passed the VE by.

FlipXW · 13-10-2009, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XR6_190

One thing that confuses me, why did they use a turbo Falcon? All of the competitors were NA 6 cylinders.

Price! They used the top of the line vehicle they could get for under 60g. Why not use the turbo

.

mik · 13-10-2009, 10:26 PM

good too see some recognition for the Falcon and Ford Australia.

**Dave R** · 13-10-2009, 11:06 PM

4.97... WITH 2 passengers + 3/4 tank of fuel? Holy Jesus.

The G6ET Spot · 13-10-2009, 11:13 PM

After having my G6ET for a bit over 3 months now this result doesn't surprise me in the least.

With them putting the Calais in last place is about right because that is how far advanced and refined the G6ET is to it.

Great car Ford, all the people that developed this car should be proud of the truely world class car they produced.

deesun · 13-10-2009, 11:36 PM

Shame people will still buy the Calais by the boatload and not the G6ET.

XR Martin · 13-10-2009, 11:37 PM

Jesus that Maxima is ugly

**Polyal** · 13-10-2009, 11:47 PM

Maxima is a shocker, people bagged the AU out!

Another great result, who needs FPV when you have a G6ET!

Swordsman88 · 14-10-2009, 03:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XR6 Martin

Jesus that Maxima is ugly

Yes it is. Shame really it is great value and they have improved the interior a fair bit since when it first launched. I drove one years ago before it had a CVT and it atcually wasn't that bad. Soft suspension set up but nissan do make the best mass produced V6 engines in the world and you can tell when you drive them.

Swordsman88 · 14-10-2009, 04:07 AM

I have read this review from start to end and believe me, the result was quite justified. I know alot of people may ask what sort of website puts such an eclectic mix of cars together but it does raise some interesting points. Think of it this way...if you had 40-60 k to spend on a large car, what would you get? If you want power, G6ET, or do you go after (supposed) fuel economy (accord/SIDI Holden). Or what about resale (toyota) or features (nissan), or the exclusive choice (skoda?). Then there is RWD/FWD/AWD debate too. It makes for an interesting read that is for sure.

Fact is that had a G6E done the test it would have won anyway...sure it wouldn't be as fast as the G6ET but with a 8k saving it would have had much better features/dollar ratio and its fuel burn woudl have been close to, if not outright lowest.

The Calais V went so badly because it was poor value, poor quality, poor drivetrain (middling fuel burn and poorly tuned auto) and is getting quite old hat with no updates (particulary interior wise). If you valued the drive more it migth get up to 5 or 4 in the list, but it had buckneys chance of winning.

Most importantly the fuel burn of the SIDI engine was far from stellar. When driven over the same test route (with a good dose of highway), you find that virtually all the cars burnt close to 10% more than their ADR number, except the maxima that beat its ADR number (??? probably the CVT around town...). BUT, the G6ET burns only 7% more, the SIDI Calais V - 17% more. Yeah that worked well.

: Combine that with the now infamous Drive.com bathurst test of the 3.0 SIDI and its not looking great so far for Holden's SIDI saviour. Biggest change in commodore's history? - maybe, but not alot to show for it.

**Mechan1k** · 14-10-2009, 06:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vztrt

Have they put the new sidi up against the G6E?

G6 vs SIDI around Mt Panorama in an endurance test at the speed limit in another thread.

G6 was well ahead in "driver's appeal" and fuel consumption as well.
SIDI is a bit of a joke when it comes to real-world driving ... fine it can get good consumption when crawling at 80km/h on a flat road to Melbourne from Sydney ... but man it'd annoy the hell out of every other driver on the road doing so.

The Monty · 14-10-2009, 06:55 AM

Hmmm, I thought the Maxima looks great, but this coming from a guy thats owned 2 AU's....

**Bluehoon** · 14-10-2009, 09:17 AM

Holy hell! What an honest, factual real world approach to reviews. Well done car advice!

The G6ET - why on earth won't ford take this car globally? Really is a class leading winner.

Cheers

gcg2503 · 14-10-2009, 09:39 AM

Great result!

mcnews · 14-10-2009, 09:40 AM

Come on, there just hasn't been enough journo bagging in this thread... Oh but you got the outcome you liked, so this time they must have done it properly and it wasn't an engineered outcome and because of advertising budgets, and writers biases..... LOL. Cracks me up :-)

SVTVNM · 14-10-2009, 09:43 AM

I love the fact that the Calais was beaten by the Skoda, what a way to start the day!

gcg2503 · 14-10-2009, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SVTVNM

I love the fact that the Calais was beaten by the Skoda, what a way to start the day!

A friend actually purchased a Skoda Superb. A VERY well appointed car in my opinion.

Loads of options and great build quality.

The front end styling leaves a little to be desired though!