19 June 2015

The Holden EFIJY: Australia's hottest rod and other rare prototypes

It was more than a decade ago that Australia’s wildest homegrown car was unveiled at the Sydney Motor Show.



The Holden EFIJY was never meant to be a production car, but instead, it was a dream that became a fixation for the Holden design team working on the 2006 Commodore. With this extreme car project, they could express themselves and create a vehicle that no marketing department would ever sign off on, but would turn every man’s head and drop their jaw at the same time.

Part concept, part design showcase, part boys’ crazy dream, the EFIJY pays homage to the original Holden FJ that put Australian car manufacturing on the map in the 1950s. It also combines the latest in hi-tech componentry with a super high performance 6-litre Chevrolet V8 powerplant wrapped in a handmade radical pillarless custom coupe body.



Chief Designer Richard Ferlazzo, brought together almost 20 suppliers to collaborate on his EFIJY project.

"Invariably, people smile when they see it for the first time. EFIJY is our accolade to the talented designers who cut loose with some fantastically flamboyant styling in the post-war 1940s and 1950s," Ferlazzo said at the time of the car’s reveal in 2005.

Over the years Holden has created several memorable limited run or concept cars that never made it onto the production line proper.

1969 Holden Hurricane prototype

Who can forget 1969’s Hurricane? Holden’s super sleek sports car which first saw the light of day at that year’s Melbourne Motor Show. Futuristic and oh-so-mod, it featured a mid-mounted small block Holden 4.2 litre V8, rear-wheel-drive and gullwing doors. In 2006, a full restoration was commenced and the ‘as new’ vehicle displayed at 2011’s Motorclassica car show. Don’t laugh, this car featured a rear CCTV camera, climate control air conditioning and an auto-seek radio.

1970: Torana GTR-X prototype

Or, how about the James Bond-esque Torana GTR-X of 1970? This was no simple folly, it was a serious model intended for production. Built on the successful GTR-XU1 platform, it had a wedge-shaped fibreglass body in a 2-door hatchback layout. The long bonnet gave it ‘masculine’ appeal as well as streamlining. The production model would have been the first Holden with factory-fitted four-wheel disc brakes need to stop this 130mph-capable rocket.

This rare Torana A9X was stored in a bricked-up garage for
30 years and sold at auction recently for AU$500,000 

Holden lovers may not find any of these on the pages of Gumtree, but you will find V8 Toranas, FJ Holdens and maybe even a rare prototype or limited edition model like an SLR5000 or Monaro.

RELATED: History of Holden in South Australia


02 June 2015

Lexus RC 350 and RC F: Throwing Down the Gauntlet

2015 Lexus RC F Coupe

The new Euro-challenging RC 350 from Lexus represents a quantum leap for the soon-to-be 25 year old marque.

Roderick Eime examines Lexus’ newest offering designed to tempt sports car buyers away from the big European rivals.

While it borrows cosmetic and engineering cues from other vehicles in the range, like the GS and IS models, Lexus maintain the RC 350 is not a reconfigured sedan. The purpose-built chassis comes with a unique blend of stiffness and strength needed to accommodate sporting yet supple suspension.

As with the LFA supercar, first unveiled in 2009, the RC 350is designed to reinvigorate interest in this prestigious marque, except that the RC (for Racing Coupe) series will reach out to a younger, sporty demographic in Lexus’ lower/mid price range.

"The RC 350 is a very important vehicle for us - it provides a clear aspirational target and injects a stronger connection to the brand, combining with its strong quality and innovation hallmarks," said Lexus executive, Sean Hanley, at the vehicle launch last year.

2015 Lexus RC F Coupe
RC F looks at home on the track (supplied)

"Our LFA supercar previously embodied Lexus' passion and acted as an emotional drawcard, and it was one of the most important models we've ever produced. However, it was off limits to most buyers.

"This new vehicle brings a portion of LFA's excitement to a more attainable market segment, and will boost the brand's appeal even further," he said.

Lexus RC 350 follows Lexus' 'Y' model marketing strategy with three offerings. Starting with Luxury, it then follows with two arms: F Sport and Sports Luxury.

Those with deeper pockets and a lust for performance and luxury perfection will want to examine the top-of-the-line Sports Luxury which adds a host of features befitting the discerning sports car enthusiast.

The basis of the RC 350 is the ultra-responsive 233kW 2GR-FSE 3.5-litre quad cam, direct injection V6 powerplant and eight-speed Sports Direct Shift transmission driving through the rear wheels.

“RC 350's spirited handling and performance were born on the track,” said Lexus Chief Engineer for the RC 350, Eiichi Kusama, “I spent considerable time working with the chief engineer of the RC F - Yukihiko Yaguchi - and we benchmarked both vehicles against the competition over many days and countless laps.”

2014 Lexus RC 350
RC 350 cuts a striking line even in basic trim (supplied)

The engineering team proceeded to fine tune the chassis and front double wishbone and rear multi-link suspension to optimal levels. The super hi-tech electronically controlled centre differential, offered as an option in some markets, varies the front-to-rear torque balance to provide optimum traction in all weather conditions and Dynamic rear-wheel Steering System (DRS).

Take things to the extreme with the RC F, a performance package that critics admit rivals some of the best European vehicles in this sector.

Lexus’ new ‘halo’ RC F coupe is the third Lexus to wear the F badge, after the IS F and LFA supercar. F models are built for true drivers who want to immerse themselves in pure driving pleasure and satisfying performance.

The RC F comes loaded with a 5.0 litre 351kW V8 engine, stiff chassis, racetrack-developed suspension and brakes, with power delivery via an eight-speed transmission and unique torque vectoring differential. The maximum power is delivered at 7100rpm, while the 530Nm of torque kicks in between 4800 to 5600rpm.

2015 Lexus RC F Coupe

Not only does this race-bred weapon look the goods, it sounds every bit on the money too. Active Sound Control creates a deep ominous tone up to 3000rpm, then a higher-pitched tone as revolutions rise with the sensation of the engine soaring freely above 6000rpm, which it does thanks to titanium valves, forged connecting rods and an optimised exhaust layout to more effectively harness these musical exhaust pulses.

With the LFA out of production, the RC F now assumes the mantle of F image leader and is also the basis of Lexus' entry in the World FIA GT3 Championship as well as the Japan Super GT championship.

If this neck-snapping performance and head-turning good looks weren’t enough, Lexus RC F is offered with an optional carbon fibre pack, developed using technology from the LFA program and CCS-R race car.

Designed to save weight, the carbon-fibre pack includes the bonnet, roof and active rear wing and interior cabin decoration to match the mean exterior look. This includes alcantara seat trim with 20-spoke High Plus forged aluminium wheels and ventilated front seats as further options.

With the new RC 350 and its high performance F derivatives, Lexus has stamped its authority yet again on the ultra competitive luxury performance sector with styling that will certainly make anyone look twice - at least.

Lexus RC F Specifications


ENGINE

Engine code 2UR-GSE
Displacement (cm 3 ) 4969cc
Engine type: All-alloy 90-degree V8, 32 valves, double overhead cams with dual VVT-i and electronic inlet timing actuation.
Fuel type: 98 RON or higher
Bore x stroke (mm) 94 x 89.5mm
Compression ratio 12.3:1
Max. power# 351kW @ 7100rpm
Max. torque# 530Nm @ 4800-5600rpm

TRANSMISSION

Type: Eight-speed SPDS automatic. Electronically controlled with sequential shift, artificial intelligence shift control and 2nd to 8th gear torque converter lock-up.

PERFORMANCE

Max. speed (km/h) 270 (electronically limited)
0-100 km/h (sec) 4.5



As published in SCION



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