Holden Commodore SS-V Redline, Chrysler 300 SRT and Ford Falcon XR8 2015

Homemade or imported? It is the choice for V8 lovers in this three way arm wrestling.

Eight-cylinder cars are an extravagance that most buyers can do without. Most buyers are already opting for small sedans and SUVs with efficient turbo engines over homegrown V8 engines.

For those who drive their cars instead of driving them, the traditional V8 is still a tempting prospect. If you grew up with the Holden-Ford rivalry, this is your last chance to wave the red or blue flag.

That's why Holden expects its new 6.2-liter V8 engines to account for more than half of VFII Commodore sales from now until the plant closes in 2017.

Whether it's a final farewell to an icon or a speculative investment, Ford fans are equally eager to put the supercharged 5.0-liter Boss engine in the garage.

Chrysler will be the last big mass-produced V8 sedan left alive after the demise of the local duo, and the American brand is justifying its higher price with a more luxurious interior and better performance.

All three are capable of accelerating in less than five seconds, seat five adults in reasonable comfort, and are dismissive of fuel economy and tire wear.

Holden Commodore SS-V Redline

The eye-catching roar of the powerful V8 - the most powerful engine ever fitted to a regular Commodore - is now backed by a torque-managing suspension. The revised rear has a new anti-roll bar that reduces body roll, allowing engineers to soften the springs.

The changes mean that the grunt now goes to the ground rather than causing wheel spin when accelerating hard out of a corner. This is a vastly improved car when pushed hard. Brembo brakes are fitted to all wheels, and a dual-mode exhaust gives the Holden a bark to match its noticeable bite. The hood vents and the LS3 badge affixed to the front bumper are the easiest way to recognize the Commodore VFII because the upgrades don't extend to the interior. This means there are more buttons than in many modern cars, and there's still a hodgepodge of quality finishes and budget parts.

Overall, the Falcon is still a generation ahead, but a cursory poll shows friends disagreeing about which is better, Chrysler or Chrysler dash layout.

Chrysler 300 SRT

The more the better, the SRT rules the roost. It's the biggest car here in terms of size and engine power, and in the test car's dazzling red with polished 20-inch alloys, it visually outshines the local duo.

Chrysler is also the fastest car in the straight. Its launch control - all three cars have software to help use torque out of turn - allows owners to adjust starting rpm to suit road conditions. An average four-second sprint time is possible under the right conditions.

The premium cabin feel is enhanced by leather and Alcantara upholstery and carbon fiber inserts on the dash and door trim, but for $69,000 (a lower-shine SRT Core can be had for $59,000), the door plastic is too hard for the money and details such as how the sunglasses holder mechanism feels and sounds cheap.

The long wheelbase also means Chrysler can't wade through tight spaces like its local rivals. Front-end response and steering feel are much better than the outgoing model, but Chrysler is ultimately a grand tourer, not a track-focused sports sedan.

Chrysler has the Charger SRT Hellcat to fill the latest role in the US, and the Australian division still hasn't turned down getting the car here.

Ford Falcon XR8

There are rumors of a more powerful XR8 Sprint coming next year, but that's in an area where the Falcon is already excelling. There is nothing wrong with a Ford transmission; it's the time warping interior that lets this car down.

Not much has changed since the FG was released in 2008, although the XR8 comes with Ford's Sync2 multimedia interface displayed on an eight-inch screen. It is easy to operate and responds to thousands of voice commands, but this is the highlight of the usual interior.

Driving aids like lane departure warning and blind spot warning are standard on rivals, but not on the Falcon, even on the options list, and the $2200 automatic transmission option doesn't include paddle shifters.

The highlight is the 5.0-liter supercharged engine. It delivers peak torque much earlier in the rev range than its competitors. It's a thump in the chest that intensifies until the driver is smart enough to back off.

The XR8 is more prone to nose-pushing into corners, and it likes the best of the trio to light up the rear when exiting a corner. The suspension can be borrowed from the old FPV GT R-Spec, but it's not enough to tame this beast.

The brakes aren't as strong as the Holden's, but they last longer than the heavier Chrysler's.

Verdict

Aside from the supercharger, there's enough whining about the XR8 to push it to third place here. Yes, it will outperform Chrysler in some situations, but internal civility and electronics lag behind it.

The SRT's improved ride and cornering make it more than special. Size and weight work against it when pushed down back roads, but it has presence and performance.

As such, the Redline remains the most balanced vehicle in the area, both in terms of performance and its ability to act as a tracked weapon or family cruiser. Holden saved the best for last, and the SS-V Redline will leave a lasting impression on everyone who rides it.

At a glance

Holden Commodore SS-V Redline

Price from: $56,190 plus roads

Guarantee: 3 years/100,000 km

Limited Service: $956 for 3 years

Service Interval: 9 months/15,000 km

Safety: 5-star crash test rating, 6 airbags

Engine: 6.2-litre V8, 304 kW/570 Nm

Transmission: 6-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive

Thirst: 12.6 l/100 km (premium 95 RON)

Dimensions: 4964 mm (L), 1898 mm (W), 1471 mm (H)

The weight: 1793kg

Spare: space splash

towing: 1600 kg (manual), 2100 kg (auto)

0-100 km / h: 4.9 seconds

Chrysler 300 SRT

Price from: $69,000 plus roads

Guarantee: 3 years/100,000 km

Limited Service: 3016 USD for 3 years

Service Interval: 6 months/12,000 km

Safety: 5-star crash test rating, 6 airbags

Engine: 6.4-litre V8, 350 kW/637 Nm

Transmission: 8-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive

Thirst: Xnumx l / xnumx km

Dimensions: 5089 mm (L), 1902 mm (W), 1478 mm (H)

The weight: 1965kg

Spare: None. Tire repair kit

towing: Not recommended

0-100 km / h: 4.5 seconds

Ford Falcon XR8

Price from: $55,690 plus roads

Guarantee: 3 years/100,000 km

Limited Service: $1560 for 3 years

Service Interval: 12 months/15,000 km

Safety: 5-star crash test rating, 6 airbags

Engine: 5.0-liter supercharged V8, 335 kW/570 Nm

Transmission: 6-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive

Thirst: 13.6 l / 100 km (95 RON), 235 g / km CO2

Dimensions: 4949 mm (L), 1868 mm (W), 1494 mm (H)

The weight: 1861kg

Spare: Full size

towing: 1200 kg (manual), 1600 kg (auto)

0-100 km / h: 4.9 seconds