Skip to main content

Down Under speed goes to Germany: GM Holden VF SS V Redline ‘Ute’ sets Nurburgring lap record

Holden SS V Redline Ute Nurburgring
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Down in Australia, there’s a deeply held love of not only V8s but also car-based pickups that they call “Utes,” short for utility. There’s also a lot of love for Aussie speed merchant and GM partner Holden.

Recommended Videos

You might recognize the Utes pickup-ish body style from the long since discontinued Ford Ranchero and Chevy El Camino, both of which were sent out to pasture in the USA in the late 1970s and late 1980s respectively. Down in Australia, though, Utes lived on, continuing the true rear-wheel drive muscle car heritage.

With the latest version of its iconic Ute, Holden has now set a new Nurburgring lap record for a commercial and utility vehicle with a V8-powered 8-minute 19.47-second lap time. Holden has decided to turn this achievement into a new video marketing campaign, which you can see below.

The record-breaking model is called the VF SS V Redline and it’s powered by a General Motors 6.0-liter V8 producing 348 horsepower and 381 pound-feet of torque. That might not seem very powerful compared to other modern GM V8s but it was enough for the Ute to slash 11 seconds off its GM-estimated lap time.

With the VF SS V Redline, customers get a Ute that’s more sports car than utility coupe. For the first time it has ‘split’ front and rear tire sizes, customizable electronic power steering, and a six-speed automatic.

“Being surrounded by mostly European manufacturers at the industry days, the Ute really stood out and I was getting plenty of thumbs up. Plus a few of the more expensive European cars on the track got a shock as this red Aussie Ute flew past them!” said Holden Dynamics Engineer Rob Trubiani in a GM press release.

We’ve always been big fans of the Aussie Utes. In the last few years, GM has rolled around the idea of re-releasing a Holden Ute-based El Camino in the States but has decided against the idea, as it figures the sales figures wouldn’t be strong enough to make an argument for the car. We think they should reconsider.

Here’s a three-part video series on their run at the ‘Ring. Worth watching!

Nick Jaynes
Former Automotive Editor
Nick Jaynes is the Automotive Editor for Digital Trends. He developed a passion for writing about cars working his way…
Cheaper EVs ahead? GM and LG say new battery cells are the key
2025 Chevrolet Equinox EV front quarter view.

General Motors and LG Energy Solution have announced a new phase in their ongoing partnership: developing a new battery cell chemistry that could significantly lower the cost of electric vehicles. The joint effort centers on lithium manganese iron phosphate (LMFP) battery cells, a variation of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) that’s gaining popularity for being more affordable and less reliant on expensive materials like nickel and cobalt.

This is a big deal because battery costs are still the single largest expense in producing EVs. According to GM and industry experts, LMFP cells could help bring the cost of electric vehicles close to — or even on par with — gas-powered cars. The goal? Making EVs accessible to a broader range of drivers without sacrificing range or performance.

Read more
Waymo recalled 1,200 robotaxis following collisions with road barriers
Waymo Jaguar I-Pace

Waymo’s autonomous-car technology has made great advances over the years to the point where it’s now allowed to offer paid robotaxi rides in select locations in the U.S.

But the development of the technology is ongoing, and the robotaxi rides continue to gather valuable data for Waymo engineers to pore over as they further refine the driverless system to make it as reliable and efficient as possible. Which is why glitches will sometimes occur.

Read more
Apple CarPlay Ultra looks stunning in Aston Martin supercar debut
Apple CarPlay Ultra

Apple CarPlay Ultra is the next generation of the Cupertino, California-based firm's smartphone projection system for your car, and it's available in new vehicles in the US and Canada.

When we say "new cars", your options are very much limited to one brand... Aston Martin. So you'll need deep pockets if you want to experience CarPlay Ultra for yourself.

Read more