VY COMMODORE SV8 is available with six-speed manual transmission or, as a no-cost option, four-speed automatic transmission.

Its 5.7-litre Chevrolet engine is about as big as a V8 gets in a family sedan and delivers an outstanding power to weight ratio of 148kW per tonne.

Fuel economy suffers, though, and we were unable to match Holden's claimed figures of 8.5 litres per 100km in the city and 13.5L/100km on the highway, with an average of 11L/100km.