Answering consumer concern over climate change, GM in the States has been working on engines with cylinder deactivation since the 1970s. Back then we saw a Cadillac engine that could run as a V8, V6 or V4. It didn’t work very well, chiefly because it takes a lot of computer power to make an engine switch modes quickly and unobtrusively. Suitable computers simply weren’t available at the time.

All that has changed and modern engine and ECU (Electronic Control Unit) technology have improved at an astonishing rate in the intervening period. To the point where we defy most drivers to be able to pick how many cylinders their Commodore V8 is running on, other than looking at the message in the trip-computer window.

Obviously when the pedal is to the metal it's running on all eight, and when you are cruising gently it will, probably, be operating as a four-cylinder, but in intermediate zones we found it impossible to pick by sound or feel. Which is exactly as its makers intended.

GM Holden's AFM (Active Fuel Management) system is only installed on V8s with an automatic transmission. It closes the intake and exhaust valves in four of the engine's eight cylinders while ensuring the engine maintains vehicle speed, effectively operating as a four cylinder. The engine's electronic throttle control is used to increase cylinder pressure in V4 mode so that the engine can preserve the torque drivers expect from a V8 powertrain. The fuel supply to the deactivated cylinders resumes seamlessly providing all-cylinder operation when the driver needs it for quick acceleration.

Those who like hot cars will revel in the way the big Commodore SS responds virtually instantly to the throttle, and gives that lovely push in the back to provide a quick takeoff from the lights, or fast, safe overtaking that sees you spending a minimum of time on the wrong side of the road.

A little more quality and quantity to the exhaust note would have made us really smile. Holden is restricted by legislation on the quantity side of the equation, but it would be nice if they gave the tone a bit more oomph.

Fuel consumption of less than 10 litres per hundred kilometres is there if you want to pedal gently on good country roads and motorways, where you can keep it in top gear and let all that torque do the talking. Sensible suburban running is likely to see this rise to 12 to 14 litres per hundred. And if you take it on a track day excursion the sky is the limit. Nevertheless, a track day is highly recommended for those who really like to get the best from their high-performance Holden.

Enough of the engine, let's talk about the rest of the Commodore SSV we tested. Its styling works brilliantly – if you are an extrovert that is. Ours was finished in a brilliant blue hue, not only on the outside, but also in trim highlights on the seats and on the dashboard, the blue theme was even carried across to the instrument dials.

Huge brakes are well in keeping with the engine performance and haul off speed very rapidly when required. We didn’t have any trouble with brake fade on the road, even during hard driving sessions, but the sheer weight of the car may mean the brakes could lose some efficiency at the track. Talk to your Holden dealer or local brake specialist about different brake pads if you find this is the case.

Handling is exceptional, with the Commodore being more than willing to turn in and then hang on grimly even if the surface was on the harsh side. The big car is reasonably happy to change direction part way through a bend, but its sheer mass means that you can't describe it as nimble. This is a large five-seater family sedan with plenty of interior space so it can be forgiven for the latter. Putting it on a weight loss diet would help, and we suspect GM Holden is working on that as we write.

The thick windscreen pillars in the Commodore compromise visibility at times on winding roads.

Ride comfort is good and only the roughest of roads knocks the car about, and even then not to the extent suffered by the typical European sports sedan of the same size (and three times the price).

‘Our’ Holden Commodore SS generally performed flawlessly during the time we spent in it. However, the air conditioning refused to work at one stage – not what we needed on a hot and steamy day on the Gold Coast. Fortunately it came good a couple of restarts later and performed well for the remainder of the week.

 All-in-all this is an exceptional car. One that can work hard all week, then go to a race track to play at weekends. Like any well sorted high-performance car it has immense reserves of safety, all the more so if punted by any sensible, experienced driver.

Priced from only $46,790 the Commodore SS with its new more economical engine package offers a huge amount of value for money.

MODEL RANGE

SS 6.0-litre four-door sedan: $46,790 (manual), $48,790 (automatic)

SS V 6.0-litre four-door sedan: $54,290 (manual), $56,290 (automatic)

FEATURES

ABS Brakes: Standard in all models

Air Conditioning: Standard in all models

CD Player: Standard in all models

Central Locking: Standard in all models

Cruise Control: Standard in all models

Dual Front Airbags: Standard in all models

Front Side Airbags: Standard in all models

Stability Control: Standard in all models

Traction Control: Standard in all models


SPECIFICATIONS (Holden Sportwagon SS 6.0-litre four-door sedan)

 
ENGINE:

Capacity: 5.967 litres

Configuration: V8

Head Design: OHV, two valves per cylinder

Compression Ratio: 10.4:1

Bore/Stroke: 101.6 x 92.0 mm

Maximum Power: 270 kW @ 5700 rpm

Maximum Torque: 530 Nm @ 4400 rpm

DRIVELINE:

Driven Wheels: Rear

Manual Transmission: Six-speed

Automatic Transmission: Six-speed

Final Drive Ratio: 3.45:1

DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT AND CAPACITIES:

Length: 4894 mm

Wheelbase: 2915 mm

Width: 1899 mm

Height: 1476 mm

Turning Circle: 11.4 metres

Kerb Mass: 1770 kg

Fuel Tank Capacity: 73 litres

Towing Ability: Up to 2100 kg (with braked trailer and approved towing equipment)

SUSPENSION AND BRAKES:

Front Suspension: Coil springs, direct acting stabiliser bar

Rear Suspension: Multi-link, coil springs, stabiliser bar

Front Brakes: Ventilated disc

Rear Brakes: Ventilated disc

PERFORMANCE:

0-100 km/h Acceleration: NA

FUEL CONSUMPTION:

Type: Petrol 98RON

Combined Cycle (ADR 81/01): 14.1 L/100km

GREEN VEHICLE GUIDE RATINGS:

Greenhouse Rating: 3/10

Air Pollution Rating: 5/10

STANDARD WARRANTY:

Three years/100,000 km