Wild Holden EFIJY Custom Coupe Concept

Holden S3X SUV Concept at Sydney Motor Show

October 13, 2005 7:59 PM
Filed Under: American, Holden

Press Release

Holden S3X SUV Concept at Sydney Motor Show

EFIJY showcar
S3X seven-seater concept SUV
Compelling small cars
Barina, Viva, Tigra convertible, Astra coupe and wagon
Limited edition CV8Z Monaro
HSV VXR and Z Series

Holden’s wild hot rod concept − EFIJY − headlines an impressive display of recently released vehicles from Holden and Holden Special Vehicles at the Australian International Motor Show in Sydney.

EFIJY is a radical custom coupe shape boasting V8 Supercar power under the bonnet, Chevrolet Corvette underbody and state-of-the-art automotive technology, reinterpreting the classic design cues of the iconic 1953 FJ Holden.

Right alongside is the S3X, a preview for a seven-seater Holden sports utility vehicle which Holden today confirmed would be introduced into the Australian market during 2006, offering the full flexibility of an SUV-style vehicle with the confidence of the Holden brand.

Holden also shows the scope of its small car renaissance in 2005 with an unprecedented small car range featuring the new age Barina, the all-new Viva nameplate, the two-seater Tigra convertible and the recently released Astra coupe and Astrawagon.

Barina sets a new small car standard – the three-door and five-door hatchbacks offer more space and more power than their predecessors through 1.6-litre engines. Pricing starts below $13,000 with air conditioning as standard, making the new Barinas some of the most affordable and powerful cars in their category.

Bigger sibling Viva will be the only nameplate in its category offering sedan, hatch and wagon variants under $20,000. It provides four airbags as standard equipment across all three body styles and an economical 1.8-litre double overhead cam engine. The car has been tailored for Australian driving conditions by Holden engineers.

Joining Holden’s small car line-up is the well-received new two-seater, the Tigra convertible. Crowned “Cabrio of the Year 2004” at last year’s Geneva Motor Show, Tigra is the first hardtop convertible to represent the Holden brand. The dynamic Tigra is powered by the proven 1.8 litre ECOTEC four-cylinder engine, delivering an agile, responsive and refined driving experience.

Also making an appearance are the Astra Coupe and Wagon, a sporty new three-door coupe and a versatile compact wagon. The stand-out Astra coupe has a design character all of its own with its sleek silhouette and lowered stance. The flexible Astra wagon offers roomy accommodation for passengers and cargo, demonstrating the benefits of a longer wheelbase and clever packaging. The new models are expected to extend Astra’s performance as one of Australia ’s most popular cars.

Filling out the range at the larger end of the market are Holden’s VZ vehicles, with an exclusive range of limited edition cars further extending customer value. The lineup includes the limited edition SSZ Commodore, Ute and Crewman with SSZ packs providing up to $6,300 in extra performance specifications, the special edition VZ Commodore Lumina, delivering more than $6000 of extra features, and the CV8Z Monaro, a striking special edition that marks the final chapter in a remarkable success story in Australian automotive history for the Monaro legend.

Also on display is the sports luxury flagship WL Caprice, the ultimate Ute crossover the Cross 6 Crewman, the tough and reliable LT Rodeo,and high performance Alloytec-powered SV6.

Holden Special Vehicles present the HSV VXR concept,an Astra-based, 176kWhot coupe which sees HSV expanding its benchmark performance range into the small car market. Also from HSVare the GTO LE Coupe, a 15 th Anniversary edition of the inspiring Maloo Ute, the luxurious upmarket Senator and venerable Clubsport R8.

All Z Series HSV models, represented at the show by the Club Sport and Maloo R8 Ute, are powered by GM’s all-new, premier performance LS2 6.0 litre V8 engine.

EFIJY Concept

EFIJY is a radical custom coupe shape boasting V8 Supercar power under the bonnet, Chevrolet Corvette underbody and state-of-the-art automotive technology throughout. The ‘Soprano Purple’ paintwork highlights its curvaceous 5.2-metre body, reinterpreting the classic design cues of the iconic 1953 FJ Holden.

The technology matches the larger-than-life design cues with a 480-kilowatt, supercharged six-litre V8 engine, air-adjustable shock absorbers, touch control LCD screen and fan-cooled LED headlamps.

A long-term dream for Chief Designer Richard Ferlazzo, the EFIJY concept was developed as a collaboration with suppliers which reduced impact on the company’s heavy work schedule and ensured the highest possible quality result for the showcar. The car is not intended for production.

The S3X

Holden has confirmed a production version of the S3X will be introduced locally in 2006, offering the full flexibility of an SUV-style vehicle with the confidence of Holden branding. The production vehicle will closely resemble the S3X which has gathered major design accolades since its world debut in late 2004.

The car has an Australian influence with two former Holden designers, Michael Simcoe and Max Wolff, part of the design team which ensured the car would attract global attention. S3X signals a new era for Holden and its most purposeful step into the SUV arena.

Also at the Holden stand

Racing legend Peter Brock will join a range of current Holden V8 Supercar drivers from Mark Skaife and Todd Kelly from the Holden Racing Team, Cameron McConville from Garry Rogers Motorsport, Greg Murphy from Super Cheap Auto Racing, Garth Tander and Rick Kelly from the HSV Dealer Team, Steve Richards and Paul Dumbrell from Castrol Team Perkins Racing and Nathan Pretty to meet fans at various times throughout the show.

Visitors can view personalised features and complete details of the Holden vehicle range on computer work stations. Using linked Xbox consoles, they can also test their virtual driving skills against multiple players.

Holden personnel representing a range of departments will assist in manning the stand and will be available to share their product knowledge.

The Australian International Motor Show 2005 is at the Sydney Convention Centre, Darling Harbour. It runs from Thursday 13 October to Sunday 23 October.