VF Holden

[Wretched]

Originally Posted by anto

what is Holdens infatuation with oversized knobs and dials on the dash ?

Another thing I always wondered was why is the hazard light always prominent in the centre, how often does anyone ever actually use it ? its like that in a friends VZ as well which I thought was really odd.

A lot of makes and models (if not all) have the hazard button in the centre. I much prefer it there.
The B series Falcons had it in an awkward place.

[DJM83]

It's often in the centre with cars that are sold as left and right hand drive, saves changing the dash layout.

[mcnews]

Originally Posted by Uwish

That looks a lot better than any ford dash atm.
Especially the Falcon.

I am not so sure on that. I will say the materials look a lot nicer for sure, the suede-like material looks nice in VF, and the quality of plastics etc. better. A GT-E below for comparison.

The steering wheel and main instrument surround is the most dated part of the Falcon interior. With some nicer surfaces and some tweaks around the main instrument binnacle I think it could be modernised greatly without going too fisher-price.


And the VF centre pic for comparison purposes.

[Smoke Pursuit]

The Falcons got a better looking screen... The one they have put in the Commodore looks like something out of the Jetsons!! Lol!

[JTFG]

The design of the interface (icons, etc) looks cheap and nasty

[MercurySilver]

Originally Posted by Uwish

That looks a lot better than any ford dash atm.
Especially the Falcon.

in your opinion

in my opinion its ******* ugly

[dimka100]

Originally Posted by MercurySilver

in your opinion

in my opinion its ******* ugly

And how often do you buy a new car?

I find new car buyers think very differently to second hand car buyers, and in my instance I find the VF interior to be leap and bounds better than the Fords current offering … and yes my last 3 cars where all brand new Falcons.

[AU1XLS]

Originally Posted by dimka100

And how often do you buy a new car?

I find new car buyers think very differently to second hand car buyers, and in my instance I find the VF interior to be leap and bounds better than the Fords current offering … and yes my last 3 cars where all brand new Falcons.

What has how often and whether its a new or second hand purchase got to do with if you like it or not

If you like you might buy if you don't like you might not

[dimka100]

Yes and you know what the biggest issue with your 80k GT-E interior is? Well its looks exactly the same as a 35K XR6 limited edition interior … in fact the limited edition XR cars have a much nicer looking black glossy trim inserts (also used in the GT-Rspec) instead of that old fashioned wood grain look.

Holden have done the absolute right thing here to try and differentiate the low-end/premium models significantly. Premium buyers this time actually get a premium car, rather than a base model with an option or two thrown in like what Ford has been doing in the FG …

Originally Posted by mcnews

I am not so sure on that. I will say the materials look a lot nicer for sure, the suede-like material looks nice in VF, and the quality of plastics etc. better. A GT-E below for comparison.
image

[dimka100]

Exactly … it’s a base model people aimed at fleets only … fleets only care about price, fuel economy, emissions, and safety … looks or prestige has nothing to do with it …

Originally Posted by DASH GT

Holden said they want to move away from base fleet sales... Make the car ugly and bobs your uncle, however I dont think fleets really care about looks, more about fuel economy etc.

[mcnews]

I disagree on the black inserts Dimka, they look crap in my opinion, even when new, and after a few months would look I think disastrous.

And I like the woodgrain look (and no I am not that old, only turned 40 a few weeks ago), I appreciate it every time I get into the car.

The fact that the XR6 limited gets a similar interior is awesome, what a great package for the money. The XR6 edition really does make the normal GT and the RSpec interior look really pox in comparison. FPV really need to do something there.

I love my GT-E interior more than I ever imagined. As I mentioned above the major falldown I reckon is the steering wheel design and also the somewhat dated binnacle above the instruments, along with some tacky plastics here and there. Something that would not take too much to improve and bring up to date. The materials used in the VF interior look much better quality, as I stated earlier.

And I am no flag waving fan-boy defending my purchase decision, I assure you. As any long term reader of my posts will clearly attest. I have absolutely no qualm in discussing any shortcomings I find in the six new Fords (3 were FPV) we have owned from BA onwards.

[Joe5619]

Originally Posted by Wretched

The only issue with the Falcon dash is the quality of the plastics and other components and how they all fit together. Improve that it and they won't be far off if not on par with the VF Calais.

Could you explain the bold part a bit more, as am not sure I understand where you are going with that one? The 'fit together', as in, how it is built & physically put together to 100% perfect in my FG Falcon & was on my brothers FG he use to own. So I don’t think this is an area that needs great improving.

[Smoke Pursuit]

I seen a new VEII Omega today with mudflaps... How dated the car looks now... and those silly big flared guards, I never really took much notice, but now it all stands out.

[dimka100]

Yes the glossy black inserts require more maintenance effort to keep them looking like new … mine are 4 months old now and still look brand new 

I disagree about your comment however about the look however as everyone that sat in my car so far has specifically commented about how fresh and modern the glassy black finish looks.

Unfortunately I can’t find a good picture online to compare …

Originally Posted by mcnews

I disagree on the black inserts Dimka, they look crap in my opinion, even when new, and after a few months would look I think disastrous.

And I like the woodgrain look, I appreciate it every time I get into the car.

The fact that the XR6 limited gets a similar interior is awesome, what a great package for the money. The XR6 edition really does make the normal GT and the RSpec interior look really pox in comparison.

I love my GT-E interior more than I ever imagined. As I mentioned above the major falldown I reckon is the steering wheel design and also the somewhat dated binnacle above the instruments, along with some tacky plastics here and there. Something that would not take too much to improve and bring up to date. The materials used in the VF interior look much better quality, as I stated earlier.

[Road_Warrior]

It would be cool if they used a buttonless touch panel for the high series FU's, like the new Lincolns.

[mcnews]

It is interesting to hear the feedback from people getting in your car for the first time. The last couples I have taken out to dinner in the car etc. could not believe that the car was a Falcon.......

How bad is that statement for the current standing of Falcon as a brand though...... That they couldn't believe they were in a Falcon because it was so nice.... Unfortunately this is what Ford is up against................. This will be the primary driver for the early than deserved demise of the Falcon, no matter what Ford do, there is probably no coming back from a brand (Falcon) that is tarnished so badly in the eyes of the average punters.

[Wretched]

Originally Posted by Joe5619

Could you explain the bold part a bit more, as am not sure I understand where you are going with that one? The 'fit together', as in, how it is built & physically put together to 100% perfect in my FG Falcon & was on my brothers FG he use to own. So I don’t think this is an area that needs great improving.

I thought it was quite clear. The fit and finish of the dash and console (and where the two meet) is average at best.

It is good that you're happy with that standard of workmanship but I for one would not be. The gaps, sharp edges and general lack of fit in many cars I have been in doesn't inspire any confidence that quality is of high priority.

[anto]

you mean like this 2012 VE sport wagon trim ? damn near cut myself on the rough edge. Talk about cheap plastics and finish, they needed to up their game big time imo.
FG trim has always been miles ahead in fit and finish and every FG Ive ever been ihas been rather good in that regard..

[block58]

Originally Posted by Road_Warrior

It would be cool if they used a buttonless touch panel for the high series FU's, like the new Lincolns.

While it may be "cool" it certainly isn't user friendly.
Tactical feedback is important when trying to keep your eyes on the road, and plenty of people on here have complained about how much less intuitive the FG dash is compared to the BA it terms of being able to feel for things without taking their eyes off the road. A touch panel would do nothing to help.

It's great how the VF dash has so many knobs, as you can feel for any of them and, after some time, know exactly what they do without looking.

[EFFalcon]

Originally Posted by block58

It's great how the VF dash has so many knobs, as you can feel for any of them and, after some time, know exactly what they do without looking.

VE's are full of knobs too

[greenfoam]

All cars have it in the centre since about 10 Years ago, it must be a legal requirement in some or all countries.

Originally Posted by anto

what is Holdens infatuation with oversized knobs and dials on the dash ?

Another thing I always wondered was why is the hazard light always prominent in the centre, how often does anyone ever actually use it ? its like that in a friends VZ as well which I thought was really odd.

[Mighty Reds]

Originally Posted by EFFalcon

VE's are full of knobs too

[Dave R]

That interface is a real shocker. Look at Cadillac's most recent system, what a difference some half decent icons and background makes. Holden have always struggled to make a decent looking interface, I thought the same thing when Holden IQ came out, it looked like rubbish, whereas Ford's system in FG, FGII and Territory is so much smoother in comparison. VF's interface looks like it could have come out in 2002.

[EFFalcon]

the VF screen interface looks like a cheap ebay DVD player.

[mcnews]

Originally Posted by EFFalcon

the VF screen interface looks like a cheap ebay DVD player.

I think you are spot on there, it looks very much like the screen on an Archos handheld video player I bought about ten years ago!

[Mighty Reds]

Is it wrong for me to want to press the Pandora icon on the caddy's screen.
Just to see what it opens.

[Silver Ghia]

Originally Posted by Adrenaline

image

That interface is a real shocker. Look at Cadillac's most recent system, what a difference some half decent icons and background makes. Holden have always struggled to make a decent looking interface, I thought the same thing when Holden IQ came out, it looked like rubbish, whereas Ford's system in FG, FGII and Territory is so much smoother in comparison. VF's interface looks like it could have come out in 2002.

image

Agreed. Its the irregular shaped buttons and complicated knobs on the VF would make it very user unfriendly. Trying to find what you want with your eyes on the road could be quite difficult.

The much more organised and regular shaped buttons on the FG are very easy to use. The Cadillac looks even better.

[Road_Warrior]

Ooer the centre stack on that Caddy is nice.

I think the problem with the VF one is that the screen and the HVAC controls appear detached and sit oddly next to each other, but the way the centre stack has been styled they have tried to push them together, but keep the functions separate. It looks odd.

[GCRXR6]

Originally Posted by EFFalcon

VE's are full of knobs too

Is that the driver and passengers? ... Aghhh that's right, you mean the instruments.

[tranquilized]

I agree that the interface on the VF is pretty ordinary, but the overall design of the centre stack is so far ahead of the FG its not funny. I've always thought the FG was a horrible mess of a design, the air vents under the screen look cheap and rubbish, the buttons are barely decipherable and all clustered together - looks ugly and must be damn hard to use when driving. I quite like most other aspects of the FG interior, but that centre stack is a disaster.

The VF on the other hand, has protruding, large, clearly marked dials and knobs that would be easy to use while driving, especially the audio controls being on that upwards angle, would make adjustments while driving much easier. Separate HVAC controls with dials for temp look great in the VF.

Just my opinion of course...