It’s the most powerful model in Chevrolet’s South African line-up and it’s also the most powerful ‘bakkie’ available in SA. If not adored by all petrolheads, it certainly has their respect. With a 6,0-litre V8 engine, rear-wheel drive and not much for gravity to hold on to and yank over the rear wheels, its the kind of car that appeals to the little devil sitting on one’s left shoulder.
We are of course, talking about the Chevrolet Lumina Ute SS. As a quick refresher, the Ute’s V8 engine produces 270 kW and 530 N.m of torque – enough to propel the vehicle from 0 – 100 km/h in around 6.2 seconds and on to a top speed of 250 km/h.
Now if you haven’t heard of LupiniPower before, not to worry. The company has in fact been in existence for little over 25 years, but has been on extended sabbatical until recently. Renowned for creating some pretty quick machinery towards the turn of the century, LupiniPower has had much tuning experience over the years, with the likes of Opel, Ford, BMW, Volkswagen and Subaru all having been given some special treatment. To mark the return of the LupiniPower brand, the company has chosen to make a wonderful rumble – sorry we’re getting ahead of ourselves – with the introduction of a tuning package for the Ute SS.
Imagine then the lightening bolt of excitement that shot through our veins – and those of the little devil’s – when we were invited by LupiniPower to sample a supercharged version of the Ute SS, known as the ‘SuperUte’.
Making use of a Magna-Charger to force more air into the engine, LupiniPower claim their SuperUte produces an even 400 kW at 5 400 r/min and a hefty 785 N.m of torque at 3 400 r/min. Still in its final phase of testing, the performance figures are unconfirmed, but the claimed 5.0 second 0 – 100 km/h sprint and 13.5 second quarter mile don’t seem too far fetched in our mind, based on our introduction to the car.
At the moment the prototype looks like any other shiny black Ute SS, save for the AP Racing brake calipers standing watch over the 320 mm slotted front brake discs and a 35 mm drop in suspension, courtesy of a set of H&R coilover springs.
Fire the SuperUte into life and from the cockpit there’s nothing immediately noticeable to distinguish it from its standard kin. Dab the throttle however and a distinctive supercharger whine calls out. Navigating through town and out towards quieter roads, the SuperUte is as docile as a Boerbull in front of a winter fireplace – relaxed but with a bone to pick.
The final four-way stop – before leaving town and hitting the open road – disappeared rapidly in the rearview mirrors, as some clutch-slip in second gear saw the V-Box data-logger flash 6.2 seconds 0 – 100 km/h. With the power continuing to pin us to our seats, the speed climbed relentlessly until our sensibilities got the better of us.
Through the Western Cape’s mountain passes the SuperUte handles well considering the lack of weight keeping the tail in line, but flex your right foot with caution as the added grunt is available at a moments notice. The larger front brake discs and 4-piston AP Racing calipers do a good job of slowing things down too.
By using quality components from names such as US Powersport, H&R, Bilstein and others, LupiniPower is able to offer a warranty and service plan for the SuperUte, details of which will be confirmed closer to final production.
In addition to the power upgrade, the local tuning firm will also offer a 20-inch wheel and tyre combination, as well as full Bilstein suspension and a limited-slip differential for the serious track day fan.
Development of a worthy traction control system is still underway, as well as a ‘TractionBar’ that will add more grip to the rear end.
LupiniPower has ceratinly added fire to the Lumina Ute’s belly. We’ll bring you more news when the company launches the SuperUte in the third-quarter of 2010.
