[Image Source: Wired]

By Gunnar Heinrich

Bob Lutz went to the Land Down Under and really enjoyed himself. Or so he says in his latest post "The Wonderful World of Oz" published over @ GM's FastLaneBlog.

Mr. Lutz visited Australia's Holden, key to GM's global rear-wheel drive platform R&D. Apparently, new Pontiac G8s are on the way. There's also a realistic prototype of the Chevy Camaro down there.

The sportscar inspired Mr. Lutz elected to write his own mini-car review.

"I got to drive it first, not only because "rank has its privileges," but because I didn't want anyone stuffing it into a barrier before I got to drive.

Twisting the key produced a muted rumble from the big V8. We pulled away smoothly in the first cog of the new, slick, six-speed manual. Depressing the accelerator shifted the world into fast forward, with three or four more quick upshifts. The car had just been completed and had had no tuning or finessing.

But I loved the response, the sound, the steering and the brakes. There's more work to be done, for sure, and the group knows it. They still have time for further development. The goal of the team led by Gene Stefanyshyn is to produce the finest car in its class, ever. Do I think they will get there? I wouldn't bet against that team!"

Another fascinating tid-bit from "Maximum Bob": Holden's own apparently are more passionate as company staffs go than any other Mr. Lutz says that he has worked with. BMW's volk included.

[Source: FastLaneBlog]