Holden Hot Rod Concept: Voted U.S. Concept Car of the Year

Motoring Channel Staff - 22/June/2007

Dearborn, America — Despite reporting a $146.56 million loss for the 2006 late last week, GM Holden has something to smile about - it has just won the 2007 North American Concept Car of the Year award.

The EFIJY concept was an idea penned and created by a number of Holden Design team members in 2005, in their spare time between adding the finishing touches to the VE Commodore. 

The EFIJY concept was first shown at the Sydney Motor Show in October 2005 and has since been flown all over the globe, to critical acclaim.

As chief designer of the concept Richard Ferlazzo explained, the huge 5.2 metre long EFIJY concept was a was the result of various componentry sourced from almost 20 suppliers."It is particularly gratifying for the car to be recognised in this way in the US which is historically the home of flamboyant automotive design," Ferlazzo said.

With an unorthodox pillarless coupe body shell finished in ‘Soprano Purple’, the vehicle is an almighty hot rod with a smooth design cues that reinterpret the classic stylings of one of Australia's most famous vehicles, the iconic 1953 FJ Holden.

Unlike the 1953 FJ Holden, which had a 45kW (60hp) engine, the EFIJY is powered by an LS2 6.0-litre V8 powerplant, complete with a roots-type supercharger that ups power more than 10 times the amount of the FJ Holden. The concept car's vital statistics are as follows: 

Power:   480kW (645hp) @ 6400rpm
Torque: 775Nm (560 ft.lb)@ 4200rpm

Almost 800Nm of gut-wrenching torque is produced at the crankshaft, and then delivered to the rear wheels via a 4-speed automatic gearbox. The Chevrolet-sourced LS2 V8 engine was supercharged and modified by Ron Harrop, whose company Harrop Engineering is currently working with rivals Toyota to supercharge their new TRD Aurion V6.

The EFIJY concept's project leader Richard Ferlazzo said the car existed purely for automotive entertainment, saying, "It’s nice to know that there is still a place in the concept car arena for a purely expressive design."

Back in 2005, Ferlazzo summed up the the reaction of show goers when they saw the concept: "Invariably, people smile when they see it for the first time. EFIJY is our accolade to the talented designers who cut loose with some fantastically flamboyant styling in the post-war 1940s and 1950s."

In total there were 33 concept cars and 11 production 'preview' models that were vying for the 2007 North American Concept Car of the Year award. It was voted on by a jury consisting of automotive journalists and speaks volumes for Australia's increasing reputation in the world of modern vehicle design.

GM Holden's current director of design, Tony Stolfo, said the award bestowed upon the EFIJY highlighted the talent of Holden's design team: "[The EFIJY] ...was a real labour of love from all those involved in its creation and the end result is a testament to their dedication and creativity. This award is further recognition of that and a further advertisement for the talent and versatility of the designers we have here at GM Holden."

Stolfo added his voice to the chorus of praise that has been lavished upon the design: "It’s been amazing the way this car has been received wherever it has been shown."

General Motors also took out both the 2007 North American Specialty Concept Vehicle of the Year and the Most Significant Concept Vehicle of the Year award with the Chevrolet Volt Concept. Revealed at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January, the Volt Concept is a battery-powered electric vehicle. 

Related articles:
- Holden EFIJY Custom Hot Rod (2005)
- Holden VE Commodore vs Ford BF Falcon (Road Test)
- Holden Commodore SS V vs Ford Falcon XR6 Turbo (Road Test)
- Holden Astra Diesel (Road Test)
- Holden Barina (Road Test)
- Holden Astra SRi Turbo (Road Test)
- Holden VE Commodore - Dual-Fuel LPG (2006)
- Holden Captiva (2006)
- Holden - Melbourne Motor Show (2006)
- Sydney Motor Show (2006)