HSV ends Commodore-based production

HSV has produced 90,114 vehicles to the end of 2017, the vast majority of which have been Commodore-based.

Holden Special Vehicles (HSV) officially ended production of its Commodore-based models today, with the stonking GTSR W1 fittingly selected to be the last example to roll off the line.

Following 30 years of modifying locally-built Commodores at its facility in Clayton, Victoria, HSV will hold onto the final GTSR W1 – which wears build number 275/275 and is finished in 'Light My Fire' paint – as part of its car collection.

In total, HSV has produced 90,114 vehicles to the end of 2017, the vast majority of which have been Commodore-based – including the 90,000th example that was built last month.

According to HSV managing director Tim Jackson, the brand's successful history has been forged by three key pillars – its staff, dealers and fans.

“For all at HSV, this is a time for great reflection on what the company has been able to achieve to date. Any success we’ve enjoyed has been directly attributable to our passionate staff, our dedicated dealer body and of course our loyal fans who have helped build this brand through its 30-year journey,” he said.

Despite the move away from hotting up home-grown Commodores, Mr Jackson indicated that upcoming HSV models will ensure the performance marque goes from strength to strength.

“The last 30 years have set a wonderful foundation for future growth. With our recent launch of the Colorado SportsCat, together with our commitment to bringing to market key Chevrolet models including the iconic Chevrolet Camaro, the future is looking very bright”, he said.

The Chevrolet Silverado will be converted to right-hand drive alongside the Camaro at a new HSV production facility in Clayton South, Victoria, with the American models to go on sale from the second quarter and July respectively.

The aforementioned Colorado SportsCat will also be produced at the more modern plant, but controversially it will not feature any major upgrades to its diesel powertrain, with power and torque outputs to remain static. The rugged off-roader goes on sale later this month.

Priced from $169,990 before on-road costs, the GTSR W1 was motivated by a tyre-shredding 6.2-litre 'LS9' supercharged V8 petrol engine that punched out 474kW of power and 815Nm of torque.

Contrary to the GTSR W1's projected 300-unit production run, 298 examples were built in the end – 275 for Australia and 23 for New Zealand.