2004 HSV Avalanche Reviews

That's despite sitting slap-bang in the middle of the nation's knife-edge economy, diminishing disposable income, plummeting large car sales and soaring petrol prices.Last year it sold 5222 cars, up 42 per cent on the previous year — and a long way north of the 421 sales it made 20 years ago, in its first year of trading.HSV managing director Scott Grant says his company was bucking the big-car sales spiral.“Our customer order book is very strong,” he said. “There's a two-and-a-half month waiting list for some of our models.“WA, for example, is extremely strong because of trades and mining booms. We could sell another 100 Maloos a month in WA.“We can sustain a volume of 4000 to4500 units a year for the next three to five years. That's a great position to be in.”The average age of an HSV buyer is 38. But within that figure is specific groupings. Grange owners average in the low 40s and Astra (yes, there's still the VXR) buyers are in the low 30s.HSV's buyer profile is changing from buyers who primarily desired the big-bore engines to more professional customers getting out of European sports sedans: “About 20 per cent of our sales are `conquests' to buyers trading in Audis and BMWs.”Grant makes HSV's position a clear distinction from Holden.“We are a stand-alone unit. We are for customers who want a premium product and that's not discounting Holden, it's just to show that we have very different customers. The VE is an outstanding platform.”And to appease its customers, there's a new model with a numerically bigger boot badge.HSV last week launched a significant running change to its range, slotting in the Chevrolet Corvette's hot 317kW 6.2-litre LS3 V8 to justify the distinctive “317” boot badges.The engine goes into the E-Series models — ClubSport R8, GTS, Senator Signature and Maloo R8 — and the stretched WM Grange. Technically, the LS3 gets a bigger 103.25mm bore — yet retains the outgoing engine's 92mm stroke — for 317kW at 6000rpm and 550Nm of torque at 4600rpm.Valve lift is higher, exhaust ports are wider, and intake valves jump to 55mm diameter from the LS2's 50.8mm. There are new cylinder heads and, probably more significant, a stronger engine block that puts more meat around the bores.Gearboxes have also been revised, with the six-speed Cadillac auto getting partial lock-up in the top three cogs and a quicker sequential change.Play with the auto box and you'll discover neat features, such as subtle engine run-on when down-changing to keep it on the boil when cornering.The auto gets a standard oil cooler that improves fuel economy by allowing the box to change up at lower revs.HSV engineering manager Joel Stoddart says the LS3 changes up at lower revs than the LS2. “That improves economy and comfort when driving gently,” he says. “Overall the new engine offers better driveability thanks to improved torque and power.”The MRC adjustable suspension remains on selected models without change, though there is a ride and visual enhancement in the form of new 20-inch Pentagon alloy wheels.These are standard with the performance pack on the Maloo R8 and GTS, and a $2500 option on the rest of the fleet.HSV adds new colours to the 2008 palette, including Sting (red), which teases buyers into making a statement and the more restrained Karma (grey).Buyers wanting to turn their car up to “loud” can go red paint with 20-inch Pentagon alloys and red-painted brake calipers.“These buyers want to show off their car,” says HSV sales and marketing manager Darren Bowler.“To them, it's the number on the boot; a case of “mine is bigger than yours'. That's part of the reason why there's a bigger number each model.“The VS was 195kW; now we have 317kW. Buyers want badges.”However, not all get them. Grange and Senator owners will smugly make do with having all the numbers but no flagrant display. Even the brake calipers are silver.At the top of the tacho, around 6500rpm, the latest LS3 engine sounds like a muted V8 Supercar. The exhaust note is a guttural roar yet it's delivered with a clean and fuss-free spin, like the engine has found its sweet spot.HSV doesn't make a song and dance about the new sound on the street. But it makes delightful background music to what's happening under the right foot.Where the LS2 could sometimes bog down at low speeds, the LS3 is confident. It's an easier engine to drive and that's helped by a smoother clutch action and slightly better shift changes on the six-speed manual. I say slightly because it still needs a firm hand, and demands you follow every angle of the shift pattern's bends.But the package feels immensely strong. You can be an absolute bastard to the box and the engine and it'll just cop it without complaint.The auto loses no points in acceleration — the same 100km/h sprint time of 4.96 seconds as the manual — but gains heaps in driver ease. The sequential change is crisp and quick and the availability of six cogs puts any four-speed light years behind.Tickle the accelerator and there's that 550Nm of torque raising its head. It makes driving the manual an easier experience but its immediacy is more pronounced with the automatic transmission. Steering is firm yet nicely weighted — more appreciated at cruising speeds — and is razor-sharp for fast corners and impromptu lane changes.The MPC adjustable suspension — standard on the GTS, Senator and Grange — is a two-stage affair giving a firm, sporty ride for fast corners and track work, and a surprisingly compliant and quiet ride for suburbia.It makes a substantial difference to the turn-in for the big cars and doesn't hurt the kidneys unless the bitumen is especially irregular.Seat comfort and cabin room are first class, naturally borrowing from its VE Commodore donor.It makes the most of the grunt but, surprisingly, keeps its rear wheels incontact with the bitumen — most ofthe time — because of its weighty rear fibreglass deck cover and sticky big wheels.The Maloo even feels perkier than the sedans, though that's more attributable to the mileage on the odo.

HSV says you can forget those old ideas about wagons.The first serious station wagon in Holden Special Vehicles' history has just joined the muscle-car family.There have been HSV wagons in the past, from slow sellers in the '90s to the unloved Avalanche all-wheel drive, but nothing like the newcomer called Tourer.It is a direct result of the change of direction on Commodore wagons, with the Sportwagon soon to arrive at GM Holden showrooms.The short-wheelbase wagon, aimed more at lifestyle buyers than traditional families, was quickly targeted for a HSV makeover.It will join the V-Series sedan line-up, and will be among the first to benefit from the tickled-up LS3 V8 engine producing 317kW.HSV chief Scott Grant reacts angrily to any suggestion that the newcomer is just a high-powered people-mover.“We're not doing a station wagon, we're doing a Tourer. It's a sexy car, it's not a station wagon,” Grant says.“We've done some evaluation with our powertrain in that body and the driving experience is virtually identical to the sedan.“There is nothing else like it on the market. It has sex appeal, as well as versatility.”Details of the HSV Tourer were revealed this week in Perth at a press preview of the company's latest LS3 sedan models.HSV will bring the wagon to market quickly — quick enough to possibly beat Holden's own Sportwagon launch — because it shares the body kit with the new LS3 sedan.The Tourer is based on the Clubsport R8, but — aside from the HSV nose and an as-yet-unfinished tail treatment — the wagon is a refleshed Sportwagon with the LS3 mechanical package. It should be in showrooms by October.Grant says the Tourer will have the same price hike above a sedan as the Sportwagon has over a regular four-door Commodore, which means $1000.That price increment will appeal to buyers who want a high-performance five-seater.“For us, it's a totally different proposition. We'll tease the market and see how it goes. It really has some potential.“The total package will allow us to carve a niche in the market. There is nothing like it out there. There is an opportunity,” Grant says.And there is no pressure of sales targets.“It is part of the LS3 freshen, and that is very much an enhancement and a running change. Other than the powertrain, the car is identical to an LS2,” Grant says.“We're hoping to build 100-plus. But … because the specification is virtually identical to the R8, we don't have any exposure,” he says. 

Distance runner Craig Mottram has been on the pace this year as he prepares for the Beijing Olympics.  Mottram claimed Haile Gebrselassie's US allcomers 3000m record at the Boston Indoor Games in February and bettered his Australian best, winning in 7min 34.50sec.And a hiccup at the world cross-country championships in March where he finished a disappointing 31st hasn't derailed his training or his focus on China.Mottram's coach, Nic Bideau, says the cross-country course didn't suit his young star, but it all helps in the countdown to Beijing.  When he's not running on the roads, Mottram can stretch his legs in a HSV Clubsport.What was your first car?I bought a Subaru 1982 sports wagon. It cost $3000 to buy and probably about the same to fix in the four years I had it.What do you drive now?I have been driving a HSV Clubsport R8 for a few months now, since I returned to Australia late last year. For several months of the year I train at Falls Creek in preparation for the coming season and this year has a really tough schedule. It's been great fun to cruise up the Hume Freeway, then tackle the mountain. Being manual, it's a great car to drive through the hairpins.How far would you drive in an average year?It's a 720km round trip to Falls, so depending on my schedule and taking into account coming down to Melbourne for Christmas and New Year, I've already clocked more than 5000km since picking up the car in early December.What's your favourite motoring memory?I've always enjoyed watching the V8 Supercars when I'm in town and I enjoyed watching the final race at Phillip Island last year. Obviously with the closeness of the championship, it all came down to the last race. That's proper competition and pressure and I think all the boys handled themselves fantastically well.What would you buy if money was no object?An Aston Martin DBS.How much is too much for a car?You need to look at your priorities and what you want the car to do. The price must be realistic and reflect the car's performance and features.What should be done to make driving safer?I have competed in track and field events all around the world and I would have to say that Australian drivers and driving conditions are among the safest in the world. We have great roads, well built, safe cars, and some of the toughest penalties around for speeding. In terms of the car itself, a good brake package, electronic stability control and airbags are really important if something goes wrong on the road.Are you sponsored by a car company?I have been involved with Holden Special Vehicles since last year. I've been out to their office in Clayton and through the museum and along the production line.

Imported cars are hardest hit by the new LCT threshold but some of our homegrown brands also suffer.

Holden's performance arm is upgrading its engines this month, weeks before rival Ford Performance Vehicles releases its new range. HSV is updating the current 307kW LS2 to the LS3 V8, which pumps out 317kW.The upgrade should see HSV maintain its power advantage because FPV is reportedly set to offer a 315kW V8. HSV says the timing simply coincides with its supply of the LS2 running out.“Our customers want the latest and greatest technology in their cars,” HSV managing director Scott Grant says. “The General Motors LS3 engine continues the HSV tradition of scouring the world for technological advancements to enhance the driving experience.”At the unveiling of the new FPV range in February, company boss Rod Barrett said the Blue Oval performance brand would not engage in a power war with its Holden rival.FPV will rely on an upgraded version of the 5.4-litre Boss V8 for the short term, but promises more upgrades, including a reborn GT-HO.The new HSV engine comes at a price. The ClubSport R8 now starts at $64,550, up $1660, the Maloo R8 goes from $59,990 to $61,550, the GTS is up $1000 to $76,990 and the Senator Signature cops a $1200 increase to take it to $79,190.The Grange has been bumped up $1700 to start at $84,690. The LS3 unit is 6.2-litres and produces 550Nm of torque at 4600rpm, the same as the LS2. It is built in North America by General Motors Powertrains.Despite the size increase, HSV is reporting a slight drop in fuel economy for the new models.As well as the local line-up, the engine will feature in HSV's export models, the Vauxhall VXR8 sold in Britain and the Middle East-bound CSV R8. The same engine is fitted to the Chevrolet Corvette in the US.HSV says that automatic gearboxes will also get an oil cooler as standard. As an option for ClubSport, Senator and Grange buyers, new 20-inch alloy wheels will be available at $2500. 

In August 2006, a month after Holden released the new VE Commodore; HSV introduced its own new E-Series. It came with changes to the exhaust system and the LS2 engine gained an extra 10kW, powering it up to 307 kW.The latest E-Series engine upgrade means that the power output for the ClubSport R8, GTS, Senator Signature, Maloo R8 and VM Grange’s power output will increase to 317kW.Managing director Scott Grant believes the new engine, the LS3 is a welcome upgrade for Australia’s HSV models.“We know our customers want the latest and greatest technology in their cars” he said.“The general Motors LS3 engine continues the HSV tradition of sourcing the world for technological advancements to enhance the driving experience,” Scott Grant said.The LS3 engine built by General Motors Powertrain in North America will also be used in the new Pontiac GXP. The GXP will be built by Holden in Australia, which will export it to the United States at the end of 2008.The 6.2 litre LS3, produces 317 kW at 6000 rpm and 550 Nm of torque at 4600 rpm.Production of the LS3 will begin this month and should be available in April 2008. 

Coupe 60 celebrates the six decades since Holden built the 48-215 at its Fishermans Bend plant in Port Melbourne, Victoria.It provides a glimpse of Holden's future directions in design, engineering and emerging engine technologies.The sports luxury Coupe 60 is a pillarless concept car that explores the limits of Holden's current rear-wheel drive capabilities, combining racing looks and technology into a road-going sports car.Its sophisticated appearance is delivered through simple and powerful design, highlighted by the pillarless construction and V8 supercar inspired cockpit layout and side-exiting chambered exhaust system with billet alloy tips.Almost 60mm shorter than the VE sedan, and sitting on 21-inch centre-lock alloy wheels with Kumho high performance semi-slick tyres, Coupe 60 captures an exciting new design from Holden.Other racing-derived enhancements include full flat under body, rear underbody air diffuser and functional rear deck-lid spoiler with unique designed LED tail lamps.The interior one-piece carbon fibre bucket seats feature leather and suede pad design and there is a sports-inspired flat bottomed steering wheel with integrated shift light display and LCD sports instrument cluster.The high gloss carbon fibre carries through to doors and rear trim providing a contrast to the leather trimmed instrument panel and black suede trimmed pillars, headliners and parcel shelf.Under the bonnet is a 6.0-litre V8 engine incorporating the latest technologies such as active fuel management and calibrated for E85 ethanol fuel.Even the paint is a one-off; its called diamond silver by Holden designers, it gives a liquid aluminium finish. 

New chairman and Managing Director Mark Reuss, the American, struggled with some of the Australian names (Toraina, Monairo) but with a background in GM USA’s performance division, it was natural that

The King Kong of Commodores is being unveiled this morning at the Melbourne Motor Show.

New V8 Supercars driving standards observer Tomas Mezera will be under pressure to keep a lid on tempers in round 2 of the Championship Series at Sydney's Eastern Creek, starting on Friday week.Several collisions and controversial passes triggered an unprecedented level of trash talk among drivers and team owners at the Clipsal 500 at Adelaide last weekend.The normally measured David Richards, team principal of Ford Performance Racing, was seething after his driver Mark Winterbottom's race ended when he was an innocent victim of the Craig Lowndes and James Courtney incident.Stewards investigated the incident between the pair at turn 10 and declared there was no breach of the rules.Mezera, at his first V8 meeting in the role, had been unfairly blamed for letting Clipsal winner Jamie Whincup's forceful pass on Winterbottom in Saturday's opening 250km race go without reprisal.Most thought Whincup's move, which resulted in minor side contact forcing Winterbottom wide, hard but legal.“This mess was endorsed on Saturday,” Richards fumed.“It leads to someone getting seriously hurt and that is a disaster for the championship and we are all victims in this at the end of the day.“The sponsors don't want it and the car manufacturers don't want to see their cars smashed up every day.”Richards plans to approach Mezera, who has stepped into the policing role this year to replace Colin Bond, to address the driving standards issue.Points: 1 Jamie Whincup (Ford) 300, 2 Lee Holdsworth (Holden) 258, 3 Rick Kelly (Holden) 192, 4 Steven Johnson (Ford) 186, 5 Todd Kelly (Holden) 180.