2005 Valiant VSO Thunder
The Thunder from down under is now available in very limited numbers in LHD from your local Valiant dealer.
Lore information
The fourth generation large family car from Valiant Australia launched in 1999 as the standard Montrose and the higher end Fortis cars, and the well loved ute models. The DB refresh came in 2002 with updated looks on the outside and improvements to the engines available.
As they had done since 1983, Valiant Special Operations (VSO) worked their magic over the range offering higher tuned variants of both the inline six and V8 models marketed as the GT6 and GT8 and the Thunder as the ute.
The Thunder is more than just a large engine slotted in the normal ute, the rear suspension is changed from leaf springs to multilink from the sedan offering significantly better handling and comfort.
As with the sedan models a VSO specific body kit is fitted with deep front bumper, side skirts with integrated rear brake cooling, wide rear arches and a skirted rear bumper with twin exhaust outlets.
Technical Specifications
| Length | 4.70m |
| Width | 1.79m |
| Wheelbase | 2.85m |
| Weight | 1452KG |
| Chassis | AHS light truck monocoque |
| Front Suspension | MacPherson strut with active dampers |
| Rear Suspension | Multilink with active dampers |
| Front Brakes | 350mm ventilated, four caliper |
| Rear Brakes | 330mm ventilated discs, four caliper |
| Steering | variable hydraulic |
| Front Tyres | P245 40R18 94Y Radial |
| Rear Tyres | P245 40R18 94Y Radial |
| Engine | 5967cc V8 with sequential multi point fuel injection |
| Transmission | five speed VSO tuned automatic with heavy duty lockup |
| Power | 398bhp@6000rpm |
| Torque | 540NM@4500rpm |
Interior
The Thunder gets the full suite of VSO upgrades to the interior making it a premium place to be. The instruments are blue faced with full driver information screens inside the temperature and fuel dials offering up to date information on the engine also they can be used for 0-100 times, lap times and other performance stats.
Dual zone climate control, a modern sat nav system with surround sound and electrically operated and heated leather seats are some of the premium interior appointments fitted as standard.
