Review: HSV VX.I XU6 (2000-01)

Overview

Released in September 2000, the HSV VX Series I (VX.I) XU6 was a large, rear-wheel drive sedan. Manufactured in Elizabeth, South Australia, and finished by HSV in Clayton, Victoria, the XU6 was powered by a 3.8-litre V6 petrol engine that was mated to a four-speed 4L60-E automatic transmission.

L67 Engine

Shared with the Holden VX Commodore , the cast-iron, 3.8-litre L67 pushrod V6 engine was fitted with an Eaton Generation III M90 supercharger, had a 97 mm bore, 86 mm stroke, two valves per cylinder and a compression ratio of 8.5:1.

Dimensions and styling

Compared to the VT XU6 , the VX XU6 was 53 mm longer (at 4937 mm), though width (1842 mm), height (1450 mm) and wheelbase length (2788 mm) were unchanged. Furthermore, the VX XU6 provided greater refinement through the introduction of a dual-damper drive shaft with rubber couplings and foam-filled B pillars.

Visually, the VX XU6 could be identified by its restyled body kit – designed by Ian Callum – which included a deeper front bumper, more pronounced grille, smaller nostril slots and a new rear spoiler with a centre-mounted integral stop light.

Suspension

The VX.I XU6 had MacPherson strut front suspension and independent rear suspension with semi-trailing arms; toe-control links, however, were introduced for the VX.II XU6 (see ‘HSV VX.II XU6’, below).

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the VX XU6 included dual front airbags, front side airbags, traction control and front seatbelt pretensioners.

Brakes

he XU6 had 296 mm by 28 mm ventilated front brake discs with twin piston calipers and 286 mm by 16 mm solid rear discs with single piston calipers.

Features

Standard features for the XV XU6 included 17-inch eight-spoke alloy wheels with 235/45 ZR17 Bridgestone tyres, six speaker sound system with CD player, climate control air conditioning, contoured sports seats with a four-way power adjustable driver’s seat, cruise control, front fog lights, leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear shift, remote central locking, power windows and mirrors, a height and reach adjustable steering wheel, trip computer and an immobiliser.

Review: HSV VX.II XU6 (2001-02)

Overview

Released in September 2001, the VX Series II (VX.II) XU6 was fitted with HSV’s ‘Touring 2’ multi-link independent rear suspension which had revised rear control arm assemblies and toe-control links for more even tyre wear and safer handling over uneven surfaces.

Visually, the XU6 could be identified by its black headlight bezels, new indicator stalks, instrument graphics and chrome interior door handles. Other changes included the fitment of Bridgestone S03 high performance tyres as standard and the application of DataDot security identifiers to components throughout the vehicle.

Safety equipment and features

Compared to its VX.I predecessor, standard safety equipment and features for the VX.II XU6 were largely unchanged.

Related links

• Holden Special Vehicles: HSV VX XU6
• Wikipedia.org: Holden VX Commodore – HSV
• Wikipedia.org: HSV – VX/VU

HSV VT.I XU6 (1998-99)

Overview

Released in February 1998, the HSV VT Series I (VT.I) XU6 was a large, rear-wheel drive sedan. Manufactured in Elizabeth, South Australia, and finished by HSV in Clayton, Victoria, the XU6 was powered by a supercharged 3.8-litre V6 petrol engine that was mated to a four-speed 4L60-E automatic transmission.

L67 engine

The cast-iron, 3.8-litre L67 pushrod V6 engine was fitted with an Eaton Generation III M90 supercharger, had a 97 mm bore, 86 mm stroke, two valves per cylinder and a compression ratio of 8.5:1.

Dimensions and suspension

Based on the Holden VT Commodore , the XU6 was 4884 mm long, 1842 mm wide, 1450 mm tall and had a 2788 mm long wheelbase. Furthermore, the XU6 had MacPherson strut front suspension and independent rear suspension with semi-trailing arms.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the HSV VT XU6 consisted of a driver’s airbag and front seatbelt pretensioners.

Features

Standard features for the HSV VT XU6 included 17-inch alloy wheels with 235/45 ZR17 Bridgestone tyres, a six speaker sound system with CD player, contoured front sports seats with four-way power adjustment, cruise control, front fog lights, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, remote central locking, power windows and mirrors, a trip computer and an immobiliser.

As standard, the XU6 was also fitted with a limited slip rear differential.

HSV VT.II XU6 (1999-00)

Overview

Released in June 1999, the VT Series II (VT.II) XU6 introduced only minor changes relative to its VT.I predecessor.

Related links

• Wikipedia.org: Holden VT Commodore – HSV
• Wikipedia.org: HSV – VT

Recalls: HSV VT XU6

Overview

Manufacturers, or importers, issue recalls for defects or faults which have the potential to cause injury. Generally, manufacturers will inform the original buyers if their vehicle is subject to a recall and of the steps required to remedy the defect or fault. Please note that the recalls below (if any) are for Australian-delivered vehicles only. Furthermore, the number of recalls should not be taken as an indication of a model’s reliability or its safety more generally.

Recalls: HSV VT XU6

• In February 1998, a recall was issued for HSV VT models produced prior to 11 December 1997 due to the front flexible brake hose potentially becoming dislodged from the suspension strut – this could cause the brakes to fail (PRA 1998/3475).
• In May 1998, a recall was issued for HSV VT models manufactured built from 5 February 1998 to 24 March 1998 due to the welding of brake pedal assemblies potentially being inadequate and causing the brakes to fail. The recalled vehicles had serial numbers in the range L287611 to L321633 (PRA 1998/3537).
• In March 1999, a recall was issued for HSV VT XU6 vehicles due to seats with unprotected wiring as the seat cushion could deflect and crush the wiring harness, exposing bare wires to the motor bracket – this could create a short circuit that burnt the wiring insulation. The recalled vehicles were numbered in the range L246596 to L259927 inclusive (PRA 1999/3845).
• In April 1999, a recall was issued for HSV VT XU6 models manufactured from 24 August 1998 to 11 December 1998 for potentially faulty microprocessors within the sensing and diagnostic module of the supplemental restraint system; this could potentially cause accidental activation of the vehicle’s airbags. The affected vehicles were numbered in the range L367025 to L413138 inclusive (PRA 1999/3916).
• In July 1999, a recall was issued for VT Series II models manufactured between 27 May 1999 and 22 June 1999 due to final attaching torque not being achieved during assembly of the steering gear, rack-bar and inner ball joint housing. The recalled vehicles were numbered in the range L464495 to L473691 inclusive (PRA 1999/4007).
• In November 1999, a recall was issued for nineteen (19) VT Series II vehicles due to the potential that the integrity of a weld used in the rear semi-trailing arm manufacturing process did not meet Holden specifications. As such, the durability of the weld may be compromised and cause the component to fail (PRA 1999/4138).
• In July 2001, a recall was issued for certain VT.II XU6 vehicles that were manufactured after June 1999. In these vehicles, an interruption of the electrical current to the fuel pump relay, fuel pump connectors and low-beam headlight relay could cause the fuel pump and low-beam lights to fail. To fix, the old relays (part number 92047112) were replaced with new relays (part number 92107897) (PRA 2001/4844).

Problems and faults: HSV VT XU6

Overview

This section identifies potential problems, causes and fixes based on the experiences of owners and repairers, online sources and technical service bulletins. This information is provided solely for reference purposes and AustralianCar.Reviews recommends that only properly qualified persons carry out repairs or modifications. Furthermore, the number of items below should not be taken as an indicator of a model’s reliability or the frequency with which they may occur.

To report a problem or fault to the AustralianCar.Reviews team, please use the Contact Us form. Note that AustralianCar.Reviews does not offer advice on automotive problems or disputes; such enquiries will not receive a reply. For vehicles purchased from dealers after 1 January 2011, please see our Australian Consumer Law fact sheet.

Supercharged V6 engines

• A ringing noise from the pulleys at idle may be caused by the drive belt slapping against the air conditioning idler pulley. A revised pulley was introduced in late 2000.
• The supercharger belt may squeal or chirp following cold starts if the belt is old or if the pulleys are misaligned.
• Oil may leak from the rear main seal and appear at the back of the crankshaft (since the seals are located in an alloy plate). Specific GMH tools are required to reinstall and align the seal plate and the transmission may need to be replaced to do so.
• A rough idle or hissing noise from the engine bay may be due to the hose between the throttle body and purge solenoid separating – a revised hose with improved adhesive was subsequently released.

Automatic transmissions

• When driving at highway speeds, the transmission may downshift from fourth to third gear but would not subsequently engage fourth gear – this was due to transmission fluid loss and may require the O-rings in the gearbox to be replaced.
• A clunking noise when the gearshift is moved into park may require a revised transmission slider guide to be fitted (introduced in mid-1999).
• The automatic transmission may require significant throttle openings to downshift when driving at 70-85 km/h in fourth gear due to the original transmission calibration. In mid-2000, a revised Memcal transmission calibration was released to overcome this problem.

Problems and faults: HSV VT XU6

• Excessive rear inside tyre wear may require a rear camber kit to correct wheel angles. However, worn control arm bushes can also affect wheel alignment and tyre rear.
• Noises from the front suspension during low speed manoeuvres may be due to the rubber bushes on the front sway bar links having compressed or split.
• Grinding noises from the front wheels when cornering may be due to the ingress of small stones or dirt into the front strut upper support bearing; a foam dust seal was subsequently released to reduce this problem.
• The radius rod which joins the front lower control arm to the front of the engine cross member was susceptible to wear and the rubber could split. Furthermore, the bushes on the rear of the radius rod (in the lower control arm) could wear, move rearward during braking and cause a clunking noise.
• After long drives or high operating temperatures, there may be a clunking noise from the front of the vehicle that is also felt through the steering wheel when turning – this may be caused by excessive movement of the inner tie-rod end of the steering rack. A revised tie-rod was introduced in early 2001.
• Excessive free play in the steering wheel may be due to the upper bearing of the steering column failing; a revised bearing was introduced in 2001.
• The ABS warning light may illuminate due to the left front ABS sensor lead coming into contact with the sway bar link rod; a retaining clip was introduced in late 1999 to prevent this.

Recalls: HSV VX XU6

Overview

Manufacturers, or importers, issue recalls for defects or faults which have the potential to cause injury. Generally, manufacturers will inform the original buyers if their vehicle is subject to a recall and of the steps required to remedy the defect or fault. Please note that the recalls below (if any) are for Australian-delivered vehicles only. Furthermore, the number of recalls should not be taken as an indication of a model’s reliability or its safety more generally.

Recalls: HSV VX XU6

• In July 2001, a recall was issued for certain HSV VX.I XU6 vehicles that were manufactured prior to March 2001. In these vehicles, an interruption of the electrical current to the fuel pump relay, fuel pump connectors and low-beam headlight relay could cause the fuel pump and low-beam lights to fail. To fix, the old relays (part number 92047112) were replaced with new relays (part number 92107897) (PRA 2001/4844).
• In February 2011, a recall was issued for HSV VX XU6 models manufactured from 2002 to 2006 which were fitted with a factory-fitted sunroof. A bonding condition with the glass panel on the sunroof could result in the panel potentially separating from its frame and dislodging while the vehicle was in motion (PRA 2011/12317).

Problems and faults: HSV VX XU6

Overview

This section identifies potential problems, causes and fixes based on the experiences of owners and repairers, online sources and technical service bulletins. This information is provided solely for reference purposes and AustralianCar.Reviews recommends that only properly qualified persons carry out repairs or modifications. Furthermore, the number of items below should not be taken as an indicator of a model’s reliability or the frequency with which they may occur.

To report a problem or fault to the AustralianCar.Reviews team, please use the Contact Us form. Note that AustralianCar.Reviews does not offer advice on automotive problems or disputes; such enquiries will not receive a reply. For vehicles purchased from dealers after 1 January 2011, please see our Australian Consumer Law fact sheet.

Supercharged V6 engines

• A ringing noise from the pulleys at idle may be caused by the drive belt slapping against the air conditioning idler pulley. A revised pulley was introduced in late 2000.
• The engine may misfire due to arcing of the ignition lead to the cylinder head. The lead may fail due to its insulating grease affecting the ignition lead boot. New (green) grease and revised heat shields were introduced in mid-2002.
• The supercharger belt may squeal or chirp following cold starts if the belt is old or if the pulleys are misaligned.

Problems and faults: HSV VX XU6

• Excessive rear inside tyre wear may require a rear camber kit to correct wheel angles. However, worn control arm bushes can also affect wheel alignment and tyre rear.
• Noises from the front suspension during low speed manoeuvres may be due to the rubber bushes on the front sway bar links having compressed or split.
• Grinding noises from the front wheels when cornering may be due to the ingress of small stones or dirt into the front strut upper support bearing; a foam dust seal was subsequently released to reduce this problem.
• After long drives or high operating temperatures, there may be a clunking noise from the front of the vehicle that is also felt through the steering wheel when turning – this may be caused by excessive movement of the inner tie-rod end of the steering rack. A revised tie-rod was introduced in early 2001.
• Excessive free play in the steering wheel may be due to the upper bearing of the steering column failing; a revised bearing was introduced in 2001.

Released in February 1998, the HSV VT Series I (VT.I) XU6 was a large, rear-wheel drive sedan. Manufactured in Elizabeth, South Australia, and finished by HSV in Clayton, Victoria, the XU6 was powered by a supercharged 3.8-litre V6 petrol engine that was mated to a four-speed 4L60-E automatic transmission… Read full HSV VT XU6 review

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Released in September 2000, the HSV VX Series I (VX.I) XU6 was a large, rear-wheel drive sedan. Manufactured in Elizabeth, South Australia, and finished by HSV in Clayton, Victoria, the XU6 was powered by a 3.8-litre V6 petrol engine that was mated to a four-speed 4L60-E automatic transmission… Read full HSV VX XU6 review

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