Lap 3: Performance Sedans

The sedan segment is huge, encompassing utilitarian family and fleet vehicles, luxury, and sports cars.  It is the most common shape; a three-box configuration that has dominated car design and manufacturing for decades. It makes sense, engine, cabin and storage areas are defined, simple and easy to construct. 

Selecting the best sedans over the years is no easy task. It wouldn't be unfathomable to build a case arguing that the virtues of reliability, affordable and frugal running costs make the Toyota Camry one the best. Indeed, globally,  it is an enduring family taxi. Therefore I again reiterate my self-made inquisitorial system and apply the dependably ambiguous criteria created (click here to review the criteria), focusing on performance cars that were Australian-made or delivered. 

Note it is four-door sedans only; once it becomes a two-door it must be considered a coupe, regardless of whether the shape changes, (eg Datsun 510). I have restricted myself to nominating eight cars for no other reason than the fact that I went with eight hot hatches. Consistency is its own reward.

XY Ford Falcon GT Phase III 1971

My love of this car, as with many Australians (save for Holden fans) has never wavered. It personifies the Australian muscle car, aggressive, muscular and instantly recognisable. When the XY Falcon GT came out in 1972 it was the fastest four-door sedan in the world, with a 0-60mph (97km) of 6.4 seconds and standing the quarter mile covered 14.4. Respectable in 2023. Economy, reliability and safety weren't driving forces in the Australian car industry, rather 'Win on Sunday sell on Monday', was the mantra. For an Australian car to outperform, albeit in a straight line, cars from bigger, more evolved markets remains a great achievement. Ford and Holden fought to outdo each other on the track in a period where the difference between the factory and race car was negligible. So powerful were Holden and Ford's becoming that the fun police, nee Government, suggested they simmer down. The GT is the king of the Falcon, an emblem and far-flung beacon of Australian engineering, and a testament to what we could contribute to the automotive world.

GTS HSV Commodore 2016

Perhaps it is unfair to pit the XY against a modern-day HSV. The reason I choose the GTS is based largely on its level of technological advancement, on par with European sedans. The 6.2 litre V8 has a supercharger bolted on to deliver 430kW and 740Nm of torque straight to the rear wheels via a manual transmission. But these numbers aren't the critical point, what is impressive is the tech included to make all this power engaging and useable in the bends. Firstly there is a torque vectoring system controlling power and braking to the rear wheels to prevent understeer. Couple this with magnetic ride control that manages to improve handling, minimise body roll and maintain a compliant ride. This technology isn't yet commonplace amongst performance cars, and whilst the GTS was over $95,000 when new, is now selling for in excess of $125,000. I think a lot of people assumed it was simple Holden design with this car, but look deeper and it's an extremely well-engineered package . However in Australia we tended to save such money for Europeon cars. Australia we really could build some quality cars! Walkinshaw offered a similar package for the VF SS for $25,000 on top of the vehicle purchase price. Albeit without the level of engineering and technology, and a stock driveline delivering 547kW (instead they offered a driveline warranty). I know which one I'd prefer. 

Toyota Aurion TRD 2007

Toyota took their humble but reliable V6 and added a locally sourced Eaton Supercharger increasing power to an impressive 241kw and sent this to the front wheels via a six-speed torque convertor. Not exactly in keeping with the real-wheel drive pedigree of other cars on the list. However, it was locally produced and for a time the Camry took off the cardigan and wore a flannel shirt, albeit with the sleeves still attached. We hadn't seen this outlandish ingenuity for some time in Australian cars. Considering that these cars were only in production for 1yr, cost under $60,000, and now go for between $10,000 - 15,000, it might be worth a look. Keep in mind the interior is standard Toyota, with drab, hard, scratchy plastics and there is no electronic or mechanical diff to control all the power arriving at the front wheels.

BMW E28 M5 1984

Some might argue that the E28 was the genesis of the sports sedan, and the numbers alone are hard to resist, 210kw, 340Nm and a 0-100 time of 6.5 seconds. All this from an in-line naturally aspirated six-cylinder, twin-cam 24-valve motor mated with a close ratio manual transmission. The power-to-weight ratio was impressive, although a scarcity of modern safety features can 'add lightness'. The chassis was engaging, allowing precise handling in the bends all the while enjoying the luxury surrounds. Perhaps the thing that stands out the most from the BMW is the performance has remained comparable to today's cars, (read or watch any recent review). Like a good lasagne, the recipe remains the same and still tastes great.

Mercedes C63 AMG W204 2008

Try as they might to market this car under the highbrow nomenclature of 'high-performance sports luxury sedan', Mercedes could not escape the fact that this car is pure hotrod, right down to the grumbling V8. No turbochargers or superchargers to force-feed the V8. Nor was this powerplant an off-the-shelf option, instead Mercedes gave the internals a complete reworking to achieve 336kW and 600Nm of torque. One of the best-sounding engines to come out of Germany. No trick diff or four-wheel drive system to keep you honest, all power is sent straight to the rear via a 7-speed electronic clutch. Even with a compliant chassis, plenty of grip and great brakes this car would bite you if you let it.

Subaru WRX 1991

There are better, more refined WRX models out there, but the first instalment I believe was one of the most important and influential performance cars to enter the market, all the while available in a sensible four-door configuration (and a practical wagon). The WRX brought four-wheel drive performance to the masses via an affordable package that could be both a weekend racer and a family taxi. Developed to compete in the World Rally Championship the WRX managed to appeal to enthusiasts, tuners, hoons, and families, becoming an icon in the process. During the 90s I wonder how many well-heeled individuals questioned their life choices having purchased an expensive European car only to be embarrassed by the diminutive Subaru in a street light drag race.?

Mitsubishi EVO VI Tommi Makinen 1999

This was the first EVO sold in Australia, prior to this all were grey imports or imports for professional rally cars. I can never decide if I like or detest the stickers on the Tommi Makinen edition, and combined with the entire body kit, it is the most 'boy-racer' of the EVO cars. Like the WRX there are likely better EVO offerings, but this one you could argue, with the slight refinements compared to the standard VI, was the closest (albeit not that close) to a rally spec car. This model had a revised close-ratio five-speed, Brembo brakes, Active Yaw Control, twin-scroll turbocharger (not yet commonplace in the late-90s) and improved cooling for oil, brakes and engine. Mitsubishi once made some of the most exciting, technologically advanced cars (eg GTO, VR4 Galant, FTO, Starion), what happened? Who hurt you so bad Mitsubishi?

Nissan Skyline GTS 1988

When we think Skyline, we think of the coupe, the R32, Godzilla, and other variants. Most of these made their way into Australia as grey imports over the years. But in the late 80s Nissan imported the sedan and wagon versions to compete with the locally produced Commodore (for which Nissan supplied the RB30 powerplant) and Falcons. In 1988 Nissan lent factory-backed racing support to Mark Skaife and Jim Richards, which spawned the Special Vehicles Division, which in turn gave us an array of Skyline GTS models. The best of these was the mid-89 model, with aggressive body kit and bright red paint, the engine received extractors, a modified camshaft, porting and improved engine management and some handling upgrades. This car was good for 140kW. Only 200 were built, with the build number on the dash.

Side Notes:

Selecting a Holden wasn't easy. The HQ remains Holden's biggest-selling car of all time with 15 different variants and a vinyl roof option available, a timeless Australian shape that only rust could kill. The final Commodore, the VF, was well-engineered, looked muscular and reserved all at once and had an LS power plant. And the Holden LH Torana SL/R 5000 1974 was the first Torana to get the V8, develop specifically for Bathurst. Built in the tuner tradition, a big engine in a small to medium car, a body kit bolted on and the perfect muscle car stance.

I have aimed to pick one car per manufacturer, this may become harder over time. That is why I reluctantly left out the XR6 Turbo, (the thinking mans V8) amongst other cars that had an impact in Australia.

Next Week Lap 3: The Station Wagon / Estate Car