In this first issue we plant the foot on the loud pedal and talk about the often misunderstood V8.
Are you the type of driver who parks your car and can’t resist looking back to admire your pride and joy as you walk away? Do you have more than three photos of your car saved on your phone? Does jagging a parking spot in front of the café make your morning coffee just a little more enjoyable?
If you answered ‘Yes’ to any of these, you are not alone. At Eziway Leasing we live and love our cars too. So much so that we have launched the Eziway Car Club to keep you in tune with the latest motoring news, reviews and tips and tricks that will keep you smiling behind the wheel.
In this first issue we plant the foot on the loud pedal and talk about the often misunderstood V8. Changes in Government regulations on emissions, combined with higher fuel prices and the emergence of hybrid and electric car technology, has meant that V8s find themselves out of favour.
But is a V8 really the window-shaking, fuel-guzzling, tyre-smoking bandit that it’s always been? An average of 6.8 litres per 100km on the open road and 12.3 litres per 100km in the city tells us otherwise. It’s no secret that smooth driving has a lot to do with fuel economy as does the use of cruise control, having properly inflated tyres and a well-maintained motor. Credit must also go to the investment by manufacturers in new technology. Modern engines are continually refined to give drivers more power and greater economy. Petrol-heads like me, read with joy that the latest Holden Commodore delivers nearly 200 kilowatts from a 4-cylinder, 2.0 litre turbo engine—more output than many muscle cars of yesteryear.
The reality is that when we look back at the history of Australian muscle cars, not many people boast about their Geminis or Camiras. We’re more likely to celebrate the Kings of the Mountain; the Falcons, Toranas and Commodores. With Ford and Holden having ceased manufacturing in Australia we can no longer look to a locally produced V8 with pride. Thankfully, we still get our V8 fix after Ford introduced the Mustang to Australia and HSV returned fire with the Chevrolet Camaro. It is clear; however, that people still appreciate what Australia had to offer in the guise of a ‘family sports car’ by the extraordinary prices being paid on the second-hand market for the last of the V8 Falcons and Commodores.
Buyers of new V8s can only hope that their pride and joy will reach the highwater marks of the Chrome Bumper, Aussie-made beasts of years past. We still see evidence of people selling these cars, such as the last of the HSV GTS/R W1 with ‘delivery kilometres’ on the clock and protective plastic coverings intact, for well over what they paid for them.
I just hope that one day we get to see them on the road and at car shows for all to appreciate. Keep an eye out for our events and offers which will be exclusive to Eziway Car Club members. It’s always nice spending time with like-minded drivers.
AUTHOR
Nick Kotsonis | National Business Development Manager, Eziway Leasing
T +61 484 001 565
E nickk@eziway.net.au