Blown Away: Holden's EFIJY Custom Coupe

Motoring Channel Staff - 13/10/2005

GM Holden's headline act at the 2005 Australian International Motor Show in Sydney was a blast from the past, albeit one with enough technology - and raw power - under the skin to send shivers up the backs of the most modern sports cars.

Holden calls the EFIJY a radical pillarless custom coupe boasting V8 Supercar power under the bonnet, a Chevrolet Corvette underbody and state-of-the-art automotive technology throughout.

And it's not lacking for power either, kitted out with an LS2 6.0-litre V8, complete with a roots-type supercharger that ups power and torque to supercar levels. Peak power is 480kW or 645hp @ 6400rpm, while 775Nm (560 ft.lb) of gut-wrenching torque is produced at the crankshaft, delivered to the rear wheels via a 4-speed auto @ 4200rpm.

Holden explains that the 6.0-litre LS2 V8 engine has been supercharged and modified by Ron Harrop, well known throughout the Australian automotive and motorsport industry and an ex-FJ Holden racer.

Driven by a roots-type supercharger and with a compression ratio of 10.9:1, the engine delivers peak power of 480kW and 775Nm, giving it performance figures equal to the stated output from 2005 Series V8 Supercars that recently raced around Bathurst, and almost 11 times greater than the 45kW (60 horsepower) powertrain offered in the 1953 FJ Holden!

The EFIJY's engine is mated to a rear-mounted 4-speed automatic transmission featuring push button electronic control, while a limited slip differential has been fitted for obvious reasons.

A custom designed exhaust system was also fashioned for the mammoth car: a stainless steel 2.5-inch dual system with customised compact headers and billet aluminium exhaust tips.

The power output is transferred to massive 22 x 10-inch billet aluminium wheels with fluting which echoes the FJ’s more modest original 15-inch x 4-inch wheels. Reflecting its street sled heritage, the front wheels are 20-inch x 9-inch.

The brakes feature 381mm (15-inch) grooved and ventilated rotors front and rear, combined with big 6-pot aluminium calipers at the front and 4-piston calipers at the rear.

With insane amounts of power to match it's arresting retro looks, Holden's new showcar will be a must-see for the Holden faithful, and perhaps even some intrigued Ford fans. Finished in ‘Soprano Purple’ paintwork, Holden says this highlights its curvaceous 5.2-metre body, reinterpreting the classic design cues of the iconic 1953 FJ Holden.

GM Holden has stated that the EFIJY is not intended for production, but has been a passionate side project for some Holden Design team members otherwise dedicated to creating the all-new 2006 VE Commodore. A long-term dream for chief designer Richard Ferlazzo, EFIJY brought together almost 20 suppliers to highlight the latest in mechanical, electronic and material products and ideas.

Automotive excess pounds through the concept's almost 500 kilowatt, supercharged V8 engine and air adjustable shock absorbers through to a touch control LCD screen and fan-cooled LED headlamps show what Australian minds are capable of.

Holden's new chief designer and the EFIJY project leader, Richard Ferlazzo, who sketched the first EFIJY designs in 1989 and is a long-time custom car fanatic, said the car existed purely for automotive entertainment.

"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," Ferlazzo said.

"Ask the question, ‘what would these people have created using all the skill sets and technology we have now’, and EFIJY might be the all-Australian answer to that question.

"EFIJY is also aimed at the legions of custom car and hot rod enthusiasts out there whose appetites aren’t generally met in the concept car arena," enthused Ferlazzo.

"Most importantly, it sends the message that the same people who have sensible day jobs designing entirely practical cars have the passion and inspiration to create something as outrageous as EFIJY. We're all car nuts together and the fact that EFIJY stands on our Sydney Motorshow stand goes some way to legitimising this form of automotive design in the mainstream," stated Ferlazzo.

Holden says that the design team cleverly incorporated FJ design cues into EFIJY's radical custom coupe body, acknowledging the most important aspects of the iconic 1953 release. The famously familiar FJ grille looms larger than life, fronting a low, wide and handsome body extravagantly elongated and brimming with retro chic style.

The Corvette rolling chassis was lengthened to accommodate the long EFIJY body, which is more than 700 millimetres longer than the FJ by which it was inspired. The Soprano Purple paint has multiple layers of translucent pigmented topcoats which creates the rich, deep effect, and looks sensational under the Sydney motor show's bright lights.

Holden says that all the brightwork on the vehicle is handmade billet aluminium to maximise its authentic look, nowhere more evident than the stunning grill salute to FJ's distinctive front.

Testament to Holden's adoption of the latest technology and its implementation, a proximity sensor opens the door automatically as the driver approaches, revealing deep cream leather twin tombstone-shaped seats equipped with integral belts. There's even a drop-down, touch control LCD screen and an instrument cluster glowing with the number ‘53’– another FJ gesture – set in the body-coloured metal dash that pulsates with a radiogram retro orange glow.

The EFIJY's prowling appearance can be accentuated by the air-adjustable suspension. At the touch an LCD screen, the ominous-looking automobile can hunker down to just 27 millimetres from the ground (it's current motor show level) or rise to a more practical drive height of up to 139mm ground clearance.

Measuring 5162mm long and almost 2 metres wide (1999mm), the EFIJY's dominating glass fibre bodyshell is enhanced by the use of LED headlights and tail lights, as well as courtesy lamps and sill plate illumination lamps inside the custom coupe.

Holden says that several of these LED lights are dual filament, allowing them to throw different colours depending on the application, and like any great showcar, the EFIJY is stocked with a cutting edge entertainment system featuring hard drive audio and video storage driven through a major amplifier and speaker setup (2000W amplifier, 1000W RMS subwoofer, two x 200W RMS mid-bass, two x 100W RMS split mid-range and two x 100W RMS directional tweeters).

GM Holden Chairman and Managing Director, Denny Mooney, said the EFIJY project was a bold statement on the creative talent available within Holden’s design ranks. Mr Mooney said the project was developed as a collaboration with suppliers which reduced impact on the company’s heavy work schedule and ensured the highest possible quality result for the showcar.

"EFIJY is all about fun, emotion and imagination. It shows what a bunch of clever and talented design people can do when they are let loose to create something really wild," Mr Mooney said. "This year was a fantastic opportunity for us to create something which highlights our designers’ ability and versatility. EFIJY is sure to evoke different memories for everyone who sees it. People might focus on the FJ links, the glorious custom coupes of the 1930s or the great design flair of the 1950s."