Holden crosses line in 4WD race
Extracted article by Alexander Corne, March 22 2002, www.carpoint.com.au

Holden Cross8 prototype

Bursting into the limelight for the first time at Melbourne, Holden's Cross8 will be in production by next April, CEO Peter Hanenberger promises. Ford's effort won't be in the showroom until very late in 2003.

Based on the Statesman chassis and using the popular Gen III 5.7-litre V8 engine the Cross8 will come in two and four-wheel drive guises, with the possibility of the new generation made-in-Melbourne HFV6 engine added later. The five-seater should be as spacious as a Statesman inside with a carrying capacity of about 600kg in the load bed.

In concept it is similar to Ford's Sydney 2000 R5 showcar, but in execution there are some differences, a key one being that Holden has signed off for production whereas the R5 is unlikely to appear in the short term.

Holden claims there's nothing on sale at present that has V8 power, five-seats capacity, car-like driving and road holding and the carrying capacity the open Ute bed offers. Reaction so far from rural buyers keen on an all-terrain Statesman-based ute has been encouraging, says John Elsworth, Holden's marketing manager for large cars.

The Cross8 previews much of Holden's styling direction for the 4WD wagon that is to come about six months after the Cross8 goes on sale, late in 2003. Also due is a cab/chassis Ute that will be offered in two and four-wheel drive.

The Cross8 controversially uses a leaf spring rear suspension set up, returning to the live axle system - previously abandoned by Holden with the debut of VT and VU model lines - because Mr Hanenberger says the goal was ultimate rough road handling and load carrying capacity.

No details of the four-wheel drive system were provided by Holden (aside from noting there are front, rear and centre open differentials), but the system is believed to offer plenty of electronic traction aids and has been benchmarked against Audi's allroad A6-based wagon and the Holden Jackaroo all terrain wagon.

Holden has engineered Cross8 locally because it predicts a decline in the popularity of large 4WD wagons and the desire for a more car-like driving experience, especially for owners who live in cities.

Plastic styling touches abound on the body that emphasis its macho off-road abilities. The Cross8's frontal styling gives a hint of what Holden is planning for the VY Commodore, with more sculpted bonnet lines, detailed quad lamp set-up and a large gaping grille with the Holden badge proudly mounted in its centre. The under-bumper grille apes the shape of that fitted to the Monaro while an alloy skid plate sits under the air intakes to protect against stones and other road debris. It runs the length of the engine bay and out past the centre differential.

To enhance the sporty looks there is a sports bar mounted behind the rear window, while the show car has drilled alloy pedals, Monaro-like gloss-black dash surround and a passenger grab handle mounted on the transmission tunnel. Large 18-inch alloy wheels similar to the S and SS Commodore sedan are fitted with 235/50 R18 Michelin pilot Sport tyres.

Other neat touches for the showcar are high-performance Harrop brakes with Cross8 inscribed callipers and special badging all round.

Holden won't say how much it poured into the development of the Cross8 but it has leapt from computer screen to the motor show stand in just seven months thanks to a new state-of-the-art virtual reality styling booth. This allows Holden to go from digital data to hard metal prototype in a single bound, cutting out two previous and time-consuming stages. It has also saved about $12 million in development costs.

The vehicle is also to be built in left-hand drive and will be exported to many destinations, probably including the Middle East though there is a taxation issue getting pick-ups into Saudi Arabia. Holden reckons the combination of Statesman-level interior luxury, the V8 engine and the ability to load a few sheep or goats in the back, will have Arab customers lining up in droves.

But the Cross8 is not an export-only car. Peter Hanenberger insists that all Holden products have to turn a dollar at home before they get the chance to go overseas. Holden has not announced pricing for the Cross8 but expect to pay about $50,000 for the V8 and about 15 percent less for the V6. It is being hailed as a niche vehicle with annual sales estimates varying from as low as 2000 to as many as 8000 a year, by the bullish Mr Hanenberger.