Wily bird spots a cracker

It wasn't that the kea picked out the new HSV models for special attention, just that the nosy mountain parrot did the rounds of the E-series cars parked on the Westland side of Arthurs Pass.

It paused by the orange GTS. Was it the colour of the car or its red brake calipers behind the spokes of the HSV-designed alloys?

Scientists say the kea has unusual powers of curiosity, special characteristics developed to survive during the last great ice age.

It checked out the red Clubsport R8 and the gunmetal grey Senator, too. Then back to the GTS. Mostly it waddled between the GTS and Senator.

Why? Was it merely looking for a handout? Or was it confused, trekking back and forth on a mission?

It's one of the smartest birds in the world, say scientists. Did its sensory system pick up that two of the cars had something the remaining one didn't?

Scientists believe birds may be able to see the Earth's magnetic lines as patterns of colour or light. Sort of visual roadmaps absorbed by molecules in the retina of a bird's eye.

But what about a man-made magnetic field? Would the kea have been aware of such a force? Could it see it? Is that why it did the rounds of the HSV cars?

Fanciful, perhaps, but the GTS and Senator indeed have a new magnetic property - minute metal particles suspended within the fluid in each suspension damper. The R8, which the kea largely ignored, does not.

Holden Special Vehicles calls it Magnetic Ride Control. It was developed by Delphi Corporation in the United States. Chevrolet uses it, so do Audi and Ferrari.

An electric current charges metal particles suspended in the damper fluid to produce a magnetic field. This changes the viscosity of the fluid, producing a continuously variable damping force that adapts to changing road surfaces without the delays of mechanical systems.

A switch on the dashboard offers two modes: "performance to track" for the GTS, and "luxury to performance" for the Senator.

The driver is instantly aware of changes to the characteristics of the chassis.

The GTS hunkers down in "track" mode, swooping on a firmer set-up through mountain passes. The Senator has more purpose, too, "performance" mode firming up the long-legged "luxury" setting.

HSV chief engineer John Clarke says MRC makes the suspension system on the GTS and automatic-only Senator the most sophisticated of any Australian-made vehicle and ahead of most European manufacturers.

"The E-series HSV is the most adventurous programme we have undertaken," says Clarke.

The rear-drive range is the first to be completely designed and engineered in-house by HSV in Melbourne.

It is also one of the fastest four-door sedans available anywhere and the first Australian-made car to sprint from zero to 100km/h in under 5 seconds. The six-speed manual launched the GTS and Clubsport R8 to 100km/h in 4.96 seconds and the six-speed automatic took 5.05.

HSV says the E-series has been given a whole new look while retaining DNA from the company's 19-year history of go-fast Holdens. Chief among the changes is the compact appearance, a far cry from the long-bonnet, long-boot look.

The E-series has a longer wheelbase and wider track than the outgoing model, but shorter front and rear overhangs give it more of a "wheel at each corner" look.

HSV deliberately designed it that way to give it more international appeal and to compete against the best the Germans and Japanese have to offer.

HSV hasn't spent a bucket-load of money building a car to sell only on both sides of the ditch.

It is sure to go into Britain, where HSV is accorded star status.

Rebadged left-hand-drive versions? Again the company line about "markets having to want the car before it can be exported."

Potential high-performance markets will no doubt seize on one of the E-series highlights - its braking power from the ventilated discs, the biggest brakes yet on an HSV.

For the first time in years, the company is boasting about the ability of its cars to stop in a hurry.

It says tests show the new model can brake from 100km/h to rest in 36m.

Only a handful of much more expensive nameplates do better, the Porsche 911's 35.7m among them. HSV says the BMW M5 and Mercedes-Benz CLS55 take 39m.

The E-series has more safety equipment, including side and curtain airbags and electronic stability control which can prevent the careless driver from going backwards through a hedge.

Performance appeal has to be balanced against fuel economy. HSV says usage is up slightly and that owners can expect at least 14 litres/100km. But we managed about 9 litres/100km for a spell across the Canterbury Plains and 13.6 litres/100km across the mountains to Hokitika. The 6-litre V8 will be most hungry in stop-start Auckland traffic. Expect 17-litres plus.

HSV says it could have made the E-series marginally more fuel-efficient, but only at the expense of performance.

It boosted that by fitting a more efficient extractor and exhaust system. That's what its customers want.