FGXR6T vs. VFSS

[Rodge]

If you look closely at the FG interior you'll see the outside drivers seat bolster, (if you can call it that), starting to crease. Ford cannot make decent seat bolsters if their life depended on it, to call their seat bolsters woefully inadequate is being kind... whereas have a look at the new seats in the Holden and you'll see what appear to be decent seat bolstering.

Seats and the steering wheel are very, very important, its what you touch and feel every time you drive the car and in regard to the seats you're counting on them to provide decent lateral support in the corners, (something which Falcon seats simply don't do), unless its a a SC GT-P. I agree with Mcnews the steering wheel is pretty ordinary too.

The seats in the Falcon desperatly need a thorough re-design and lower seat base hight wouldn't hurt either.

[WASP]

The seat position and bolster quality in my XR6T is pretty ordinary. In comparison to my Mk 2 BA GT anyway. I think they must have changed suppliers or something for FG.

[GTP534]

Originally Posted by WASP

The seat position and bolster quality in my XR6T is pretty ordinary. In comparison to my Mk 2 BA GT anyway. I think they must have changed suppliers or something for FG.

Yep, I think they must have. The leather in my BA GT-P was a class above what is on offer in the FG.

Having said that, I'm pretty happy with the seats in my GT. Recently we did a 500km round trip through the Hunter Valley and had no issues with comfort, stiffness or numb-bum at all. My wife is physically much smaller than me and she had no complaints either.

[Trump]

Originally Posted by Rodge

Seats and the steering wheel are very, very important, its what you touch and feel every time you drive the car and in regard to the seats you're counting on them to provide decent lateral support in the corners, (something which Falcon seats simply don't do), unless its a a SC GT-P. I agree with Mcnews the steering wheel is pretty ordinary too.

The seats in the Falcon desperatly need a thorough re-design and lower seat base hight wouldn't hurt either.

The seats in mine aren't bad. The bolsters are intact and quite firm, but obviously not GT-P spec (I would give my left nut for a decent GT-P interior).

The steering wheel, I'm getting mine retrimmed like what F6E did with his one. The wheel looks decent, but feels very ordinary. I loved my GT wheel in the BA.

[Brazen]

Originally Posted by RHR

UGLY!!!!

Not a fan

Maybe this will make it better...

[Trump]

Originally Posted by Brazen

Maybe this will make it better...

image

Cop spec or dealer fit accessory?

[Brazen]

Originally Posted by Loud_Noises

Cop spec or dealer fit accessory?

Yeah Holden accessory. Plastic covered steel-skeleton roo bar.

[Iggypoppin']

So it took Holden 10 years to get their act together with their transmissions? Pat on the back guys.

[Whitey-AMG]

So the FG has probably done more journos than Debbie did cowboys in Dallas....but nonetheless...we shall compare a brand new driveline in the VF to the tired FG.....

Whack some bigger wheels on the VF and it would make it look much meatier and more in line with its muscle image. As it stands...the wheels are pathetic which is unusual for Holden ?

Interior.....hands down winner for the VF... No contest.....looks great...holden have done well.

Testing cars on a damp track....oh dear.... That kinda logic makes my my GT faster than a top fuel dragster to 60......

[purnong]

Originally Posted by Loud_Noises

Cop spec or dealer fit accessory?

Dame Edna spec

[Trump]

Originally Posted by purnong

Dame Edna spec

I'll pay that

[peaterj]

Originally Posted by Brazen

For me, the base $34,990 Evoke is starting to look better than the SS.

image

Evoke is just over $39,000 d/a without premium paint lot of money for a base model, i predict there will be xmas specials to get rid of stock.

[zipping]

Originally Posted by mcnews

The steering wheel is poxy in FG, and you get the same taxi one across all variants.

I've done a tonne of track laps, never really taken much notice of its looks but love the steering wheel for its ease to use and the feedback that you get from your input.

[Phyber]

First I've heard of a new model ZF gearbox, awesome! Wish I could afford one :/

ZF says the new 6 HP 28 can handle engines with a torque output of up to 553 lb.-ft. (750 Nm), which covers a wide range of large-displacement gasoline and diesel engines.

Modders rejoice!

[PHawk]

Originally Posted by DanielXR8

Funny that. I actually think the FG steering wheel is one of the most comfortable designs Ford has ever put in the Falcon.

I agree better than my Maloo's wheel and that stupid barrel arrangement, GT's far more classy!

[bigwil]

So in 2006 it took Holden 1 billion dollars to make a car better slightly than the BF Falcon and again now VF just ahead of a 5 year old FG. FG...Freaking Great

[tex]

That FG / VF interior comparison above .....

clear win to FG. And not by a small margine in my mind.

VF looks cobbled together, tacky, cheap, like the design team didn't get along, as been mentioned - looks more at home in a mid spec Korean. Speed stripes on the seats? That friggin huge slab of chromed plastic emelishment comprising half the dash board? Even the ICC display looks pox compared to FG.

I dislike that VF interior so much, I rate it 4/10, and despite it's age, I'd rate the Fg 7/10.

[mik]

Originally Posted by ESP

So the FG has probably done more journos than Debbie did cowboys in Dallas....but nonetheless...we shall compare a brand new driveline in the VF to the tired FG.....

Whack some bigger wheels on the VF and it would make it look much meatier and more in line with its muscle image. As it stands...the wheels are pathetic which is unusual for Holden ?

Interior.....hands down winner for the VF... No contest.....looks great...holden have done well.

Testing cars on a damp track....oh dear.... That kinda logic makes my my GT faster than a top fuel dragster to 60......

interior is "pretty" but how it works in real life ??? once the novelty wears off will it be any better of a daily or more comfy than the falcon?

[Brazen]

Originally Posted by mik

interior is "pretty" but how it works in real life ??? once the novelty wears off will it be any better of a daily or more comfy than the falcon?

A park bench is more comfortable than a FG, I HATE the low steering wheel in mine. I'm exaggerating but if the wheel could go higher it would make a big difference for me.

[Ford_The_Win]

Originally Posted by WASP

The seat position and bolster quality in my XR6T is pretty ordinary. In comparison to my Mk 2 BA GT anyway. I think they must have changed suppliers or something for FG.

Yes I agree, the seating in my FG isn't all that flash. I've had the car for weeks and still can't find a good seating position. The driver's seat is too high, too small and the bolstering is weird.

[ivorya]

Why has Holden used 1980's Atari graphics in their centre screen??

I think, overall, this is a let down with the interior of the car.

I agree though with others, it isn't a real step forward - more of a step to the left.

I think the 2008+ FG has done well and can hold it's head high.

[mik]

Originally Posted by Brazen

A park bench is more comfortable than a FG, I HATE the low steering wheel in mine. I'm exaggerating but if the wheel could go higher it would make a big difference for me.

so what is different between the FG and the b series? has the floor been changed or have they changed the frame in the seats? or just put more seat padding?
i have only sat mostly in fg fpv`s , for me it was a little tight getting in but i just put it down to me being a big bugger, i found it a bit tight sliding my big carcass in under the steering wheel, but once i was in it seemed fine, both my old lexus and my au feel quite low.

[Silver Ghia]

I'm normal build at 5 ft 10, 85 kg, and don't have a problem at all with the seating position and steering wheel in my XR50. And the steering wheel isn't at the maximum height either, its set just high enough so I can see the top of the tacho/speedo. My legs clear the steering wheel with ease. It could be that my steering wheel is fully back to align better with the manual gearshift, the drivers seat is set back accordingly, and with the seat cushion at its lowest position and tilted up a little at the front. I find the positioning quite good actually and I don't feel that I'm sitting too high.

I just wonder if those having seating/steering wheel issues have spent a little time looking at the full range of travels available to get a better driving position.

The side bolster can suffer when the driver has a big bum, the inner bolster cant move as its against the console, so the driver ends up sitting on the outer bolster. the bolster in my XR50 is still fine after 40,000 kms.

[Auslandau]

Originally Posted by tex

That FG / VF interior comparison above .....

clear win to FG. And not by a small margine in my mind.

VF looks cobbled together, tacky, cheap, like the design team didn't get along, as been mentioned - looks more at home in a mid spec Korean. Speed stripes on the seats? That friggin huge slab of chromed plastic emelishment comprising half the dash board? Even the ICC display looks pox compared to FG.

I dislike that VF interior so much, I rate it 4/10, and despite it's age, I'd rate the Fg 7/10.

Yep .... don't know why the FG interior gets such a battering. I like it, still do a few years on. Even the grey on grey looks good on the XT. FG11 with the screen looks even better.

As far as the seats go, The BA is high, the FG seems 'normal'. Especially jumping from one to the next.

Suppose it is all about taste of course .....

The main points against are the seat driver side bolster are a let done in almost all of the Falcon models and do deteriorate quicker than anything else. Also the rubber knob in the centre. If that was a metal chrome it would have finished it off wonderfully.

Comparison will be made of course but not bad the FG after being released in 2008 can hold its own with a brand new model. Some seem to forget the age between the 2.

[Whitey-AMG]

Originally Posted by mik

interior is "pretty" but how it works in real life ??? once the novelty wears off will it be any better of a daily or more comfy than the falcon?

The point here is that Holden have created an interior that will most likely appeal to its competitors buyers. Its more tech savvy and looks decidedly different to its predecessor. Ergonomically it doesnt look that bad either. Holden arent stupid....this is their defining model....they have done their research. Ford on the other hand......we may not even see an FU if the FG stocks at the factory and dealer dont leave the floor.......

Im blue blood - but I wish the "aussie" holden all the best.....id rather see VF commodores on the road than those hideous Hyundai i40 and more hideous subaru libertys.......

[Rodge]

The main points against are the seat driver side bolster are a let done in almost all of the Falcon models and do deteriorate quicker than anything else.

Which just isn't good enough as its arguably one of the most important parts of the car.
Ford are perfectly capable of making great seats,, (if their friggen accountants would stop being so bloody minded about cutting costs), sit in a BF2 Typhoon and you'll feel a great compromise between a GT-P seat and the soft & squishy seats with so called bolsters they presently serve up.

OTOH the stipe thing on the VF seats is a bloody stupid design idea in my opinion.

[stevz]

Originally Posted by Rodge

Which just isn't good enough as its arguably one of the most important parts of the car.
Ford are perfectly capable of making great seats,, (if their friggen accountants would stop being so bloody minded about cutting costs), sit in a BF2 Typhoon and you'll feel a great compromise between a GT-P seat and the soft & squishy seats with so called bolsters they presently serve up.

OTOH the stipe thing on the VF seats is a bloody stupid design idea in my opinion.

I thought both Ford and Holden seats were made by the same supplier (Futuris?)
If so, why are the Ford seats so poor in comparison to Holden?

[Rodge]

Wouldn't know but from the interior photo shots it appears the Holden bolsters are wider and higher and generally more pronounced and perhaps they use a different foam density in the bolsters ? Hardly anyone would have sat in them as Holden are claiming they're a new design.

I've had a good drive of a HSV E2 series GTS and HSV's seats right across the range have really good seat bolstering, whereas typical FPV's, (apeart from GT-P) "have standard XR6 seats with different fabric and suede feel inserts. After my BF2 Typhoon upgrade to a FG F6, I found myself really unhappy with the Fg F6 seats and even went to the best trimmer I could find and asked for a better outside seat bolster support but found you can't make a silk purse from a sour's ear.

[Cav]

All Commodore engines will happily run on 91.

This can be an good saving in running costs.

[Dave R]

I wonder if Holden are doing press specials again? Performance Drive got the SSV Redline from 0-100 in 4.8 seconds. That's quicker than they managed in a GT R Spec.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUQK58XyGZU