G'day from Australia.

[GasSavers_Pete]

Hi to all,

Just joined earlier today and like most people these days I am also seeking better fuel economy.

My car is from the local division of GM called Holden.
Check out www.holden.com.au for details on the latest models.
It is the older model (2003) using the last of the 3.8 90degree V6 engines and the 4L60E transmission in a four door sedan body.

Current fuel being volume used is around 7.5 ltrs / 100 kms (31 US MPG) on the highway and about 9.0 (26 US MPG) around the city.
I live in the country so city trips are infrequent.
Absolute best I have ever recorded is 5.5 ltrs / 100 kms (42.7 US MPG) which in a car weighing 1600 kg ( approx 3500 lbs ) , auto , airconditioning etc is fairly good.

The aircon is essential here especially in the Summer like now.
Today is 41 C (105 F) and more warm days are forecast.

Looking forward to catching up around the various boards.

Nearly forgot...Anyone else from Australia here?

Cheers , Pete.

[mrmad]

Welcome Pete, never heard of a Holden car. Are they manufactured in Au from a mixture of Aussie, American, and Japanese parts, or are they completely build in Australia?

You should out your car in the garage section and track the mileage.

[kamesama980]

they're GM cars built in AU. Some are carryovers from USDM with AU panels.

I know a few Aussies from the Cressida boards I'm on. Welcome

[GasSavers_Pete]

Thanks for the welcome guys.
Holdens are exported to the US with Pontiac badges (the two door is the GTO and the four door is the G8 I think) and to the middle east with Chevrolet badges and to New Zealand and South Africa with Holden badges.

mrmad, Holdens are built here from a mix of parts from other GM divisions as well as some bits made locally. Our V8's for instance are the Corvette motor with different engine covers.

Our market is small by world standards (around 1 million units annually) so being part of a larger company allows Holden to share in world class technology and develop niche products for more specific markets.

I am planning on getting the car in the garage to check fuel used some time soon.

Cheers , Pete.

[landspeed]

Welcome to Gassavers.org

For what it is worth, from a UK perspective, a lot of Holdens are like Vauxhalls from the UK (also GM owned). Although we don't get the V8s in the UK (and we don't have the V8 Fords either), and we don't get the V8 supercar competitions either!

Your MPG / l/100km are very good! I can't even get 40MPG (Imp) in my Bluebird 2.0i Auto, but I know the new GM engines are better than would be expected in terms of economy.

P.S. Not from Aus but I now live in New Zealand, so near(ish) to you!

[GasSavers_Pete]

landspeed,
Thanks for the welcome.
I have never been to NZ but I have relatives there.

I think the fuel economy is directly due to the engine electronics management and the exhaust gas recirculation feature as well.
My previous car (also a 3.8 V6 but a 5 speed manual) would sit around the 10.0 l/100 kms on the freeway at the same revs vs road speed.
It was also lighter and had no air conditioner but still managed to chew through about 30% more fuel than this one.

Cheers , Pete.