HSV Avalanche Reviews

GTS power to the people for HSV’s last locally-made Clubsport sedan and wagon, Maloo ute and Senator luxury model.

Think of them as family sedans that double as muscle cars. James Stanford rates the V8s.

Revheads across Australia have breathed new life into the Holden Commodore and Ford Falcon.

The Australian car industry might be dying but it is definitely not going to go quietly.Holden’s fast-car division is poised to add supercharged V8 power across most of its line-up to farewell the Commodore on a high from the end of this year.While Holden sales are at 21-year lows, V8 sales are up and now account for more than one-third of all Commodores sold.With enthusiasts now the driving force, Holden Special Vehicles has emptied out the big guns and by the end of this year will fit the supercharged V8 that was previously reserved for the $100,000 flagship GTS sedan and GTS Maloo ute, the world’s fastest pick-up.HSV has refused to comment on the plans but News Corp Australia has been told by well placed sources that the regular versions of the Clubsport, Maloo and Senator will get supercharged V8 power, due in showrooms about the same time as the Bathurst 1000 car race in October.HSV is understood to have capped the Clubsport and Maloo to about 400kWNews Corp Australia has been told that HSV was forced to introduce its “big banger” supercharged V8 engine to the more affordable models in its range because, later this year, Holden will fit to Commodore SS models the Corvette V8 that was previously exclusive to HSV.News Corp Australia understands that GTS owners will still retain bragging rights with the fastest and most powerful engine ever fitted to an Australian-made car.Contrary to inaccurate media reports, the HSV GTS is expected to retain its output of 430kW of power and 740Nm of torque when the Series II model comes out later this year.Instead, HSV is understood to have capped the power of the supercharged V8 engine for the Clubsport sedan and wagon, Maloo ute and Senator luxury model to about 400kW, to retain the GTS’s position as the flagship of the range. Only the HSV Grange limousine will miss out on supercharged power.It also means the HSV GTS Maloo, of which 250 were made, will retain its exclusivity as the world’s fastest ute.Meanwhile, Ford is also getting in on the high horsepower party, with two special editions planned of the XR6 Turbo and XR8 supercharged V8.Although Ford is yet to confirm the plans, both models are expected to wear “Sprint” badging from early next year, as the Falcon starts its 10-month march to extinction.

Peter Barnwell road tests and reviews the HSV Clubsport with specs, fuel consumption and verdict.

Best of all there is actually a reasonable excuse. Interest rates are still at record lows and prices on imported goods are likely to rise if the Australian dollar continues to dive.Whether you want something on two wheels or four — or even for the water — there is plenty of temptation to spoil yourself rotten. Because you're worth it.Powered by a supercharged V8, the HSV GTS Maloo is the world's fastest ute. Only 150 were supposed to be built but Holden squeezed an extra 100 into the production schedule (the balance to be built at the start of this year).Despite the $90,000 price tag, all are spoken for. But you could get lucky if someone else's deal falls over.With a 0 to 100km/h time of 4.5 seconds it's as fast as a Porsche. If anyone asks why a ute needs so much power, tell them you don't understand the question. Or that it also has the biggest brakes ever fitted to a ute, as well as a stability control system similar to that used by Porsche.If the budget doesn't stretch as far as a HSV GTS Maloo, then the new Ford Falcon XR8 could be a bit of you.It has the supercharged V8 from the previous GT Falcon but, at $52,000, costs about $20,000 less. If the missus can save $100 on a pair of shoes, imagine what a champion you'd be by saving $20,000. At this rate, you're almost making money. Ahem.Forget what you may have read in the car buff magazines, the new Falcon XR8 is so quick it gives the Holden Commodore SS a bloody nose.No wonder it's sold out until March. It'd be a good idea to get in quick because Ford massively undercalled the demand for the last V8 Falcon of all time.If you want a workhorse that's also a show pony then the top of the range Toyota HiLux TRD Black Edition is the go.Toyota has raided the parts bin for the HiLux because the first all-new model in 10 years in due in October.The Black Edition has no extra power, payload or towing capacity but it gets pimped-out looks and a leather interior. Available from about $55,000 in, er, black or white, the Black Edition costs $550 extra if you want a black one.With a design inspired by Formula One motor racing cars and a supercharged engine that uses aerospace technology, the Kawasaki Ninja H2 is expected to claim the title of the world's fastest motorcycle when it goes on sale in the first half of this year priced about $30,000.It is said to blast from 0 to 100km/h in less than 2.5 seconds — as quick as an F1 racing machine, if riders can hang on to it.The supercharged engine has almost as much power as a Volkswagen Golf GTI hot hatch, but the Kawasaki Ninja H2 weighs barely one-fifth as much as a car.The supercharger technology is so sophisticated it has been banned from international motorcycle racing since 1946, but has returned to a modern, road-going motorcycle in the search for more power from smaller engines. Cool factor: infinity.The price of a jet ski (or "personal water craft", as they're officially known, because "jet ski" is a Kawasaki name) has been cut by more than half with the arrival of the Sea-Doo Spark which is about $9000 tow-away, no more to pay — including a trailer.The Sea-Doo Spark has a little less power than the $20,000 to $25,000 beasts but is barely any slower and still capable of giving you a fright — or a workout.The best way to get this over the line with the other half is to explain that riding one is like Pilates and Yoga for men.Jumping waves and skimming over choppy waters will work your pelvic floor and other core muscles you didn't know you had, including those in your glutes and quads. I know because I tried it and have only just started to walk normally recently.This truly is Yoga at 100km/h on the water, with a nice sea breeze. Best of all, you have to put the phone away. And it's light enough to tow it with a hatchback. If you dare.

Holden Commodore SS poised to get more power by this time next year.Holden plans to send-off the Commodore SS on a V8-powered high by fitting the Corvette-sourced 6.2-litre LS3 V8 that until now has been reserved for the HSV Clubsport.The power upgrade is still about a year away and is also likely to include race-bred Brembo brakes for all four wheels; currently the top-line Commodore SS only has Brembo brakes on the front and standard calipers on the rear.The change means that the Holden Commodore SS will finally be on an equal footing with the Chevrolet version exported to North America – but it won’t have as much power as locally-tuned HSV cars.CarsGuide understands there will still be a performance gap between the Commodore SS and HSV range, which now has the Clubsport R8 pumping out 340kW following the recent model update.The Holden Commodore SS with the 6.2-litre LS3 V8 is expected to have its power capped at 310kW, or 415 horsepower, the same as the US version.To protect HSV, the high-powered Commodore SS will miss out on other HSV enhancements such as the adjustable air intake and exhaust, even larger brakes, 20-inch wheels and tyres, and the built-in data-logging system pioneered by HSV.The upgraded Commodore SS will also lack the HSV’s more daring body kit and exhaust treatment, and sports seats.Holden spokesman George Svigos declined to comment on the planned power upgrade.“We don’t discuss future model plans,” he told CarsGuide.Holden insiders insist the power upgrade is not a response to the supercharged Ford Falcon XR8.CarsGuide understands the plan to fit the 6.2-litre LS3 V8 to the Commodore SS was signed off long before the current VF range arrived in showrooms 18 months ago, and that Holden has deliberately held back the final ace up its sleeve to boost sales in the final two years of local production.Since Holden announced it would close its Australian car manufacturing operations in 2017, fans have rushed to buy V8 models, accounting for 37 per cent of Commodore sales. Meanwhile Ford massively undercalled the enthusiasm for V8 power and is now trying to double production of the recently released XR8 sedan. 

The new car market may not be performing but sports cars are.The latest VFACTS figures show Australians are racing to performance vehicles in record numbers and are happy to spend more than $100,000 to drive their dream car.The $80,000-$200,000 sports car segment is up more than 20 per cent so far this year and dedicated sports vehicles overall account for about one in 20 new cars sold.That doesn’t include go-fast versions of regular models, an area where the Germans continue to dominate.The move isn’t limited to prestige European brands: HSV is on track to eclipse 3000 sales in 2014. HSV marking boss Damon Paul says there’s still strong momentum forthe Gen-F range.Range Rover Sport sales have doubled this year to 2200, while Jaguar sales are up 15 per cent.Iconic sports car maker Porsche has had 44 per cent growth, with 2224 vehicles.The German trio — Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz — are all posting records.Audi’s S and RS models are the fastest movers and are likely to rival HSV in terms of overall sales this year.More than 2400 buyers have chosen Audi performance models, against about 800 sales at the same time last year. That number should surge over the next couple of months with the introduction of the S1 Sportback, which at $49,900 is the cheapest quattro model in the four-ringed line-up.Benz has shifted more than 2200 of its AMG-badged cars and can likewise expect a surge in sales after last month’s GLA45 AMG compact SUV launch.It is a similar story at BMW, despite a gap between the run-out of its old M3 and the launch of the new M3 sedan and M4 coupe/convertible.BMW has sold 1142 M-badged cars to October’s end, a 75 per cent increase on 2013.

Meet the two guys selling Holden V8 utes to Americans, something Holden tried but failed to do six years ago.Two workshop mechanics have managed to do what Holden could not achieve: export the Holden ute to North America.Holden came so close to selling the homegrown ute in the land of "pick-up trucks" that it had rapper 50 Cent unveil a Pontiac version of the Commodore ute at the New York motor show in 2008.But the export plans were scrapped once the Global Financial Crisis hit later that year, and General Motors chose not to revive the program and sell the ute as a Chevrolet.Enter two entrepreneurial mechanics from Denver, Colorado, John Ehrlich and Randall Reese, who started importing Holden utes from Australia 18 months ago, and are now up to their 16th delivery."General Motors is crazy," says Ehrlich. "They missed a massive opportunity here. The work was done to make these into left-hand-drive, we can't understand why they didn't bring them in as Chevrolets."The pair specialise in the V8 Holden utes and have just begun importing -- and converting to left-hand-drive -- the top-of-the-line Holden Special Vehicles Maloo, which has the same V8 engine as the Corvette."Holden has a real cult following over here, absolutely people know what it is when they see it," says Reese. "It reminds them of the Chevrolet ElCamino pick-ups we had in the 1970s."The Denver boys, who trade under Lefthandutes.com, sell their secondhand and converted utes for between $40,000 for a Holden SS to $95,000 for a top-line HSV Maloo, about 20 per cent more than what Australians pay for similar secondhand models.In the US, two Australians living in Florida have bought one each, but the remaining customers are American living in New York, Washington, and Virginia.What will the Denver boys do once Holden stops manufacturing in Australia by the end of 2017?"We'll keep buying them secondhand," says Reese. "There is nothing like this on the road in America. I can't believe Holden and General Motors are letting go of the ute. It's such a great concept: a pick-up with performance." 

Holden Special Vehicles range gets power boost plus several detail changes for 2015.HSV has upgraded its Gen-F range of performance cars for 2015, with most models gaining power along with several detail changes for the V8 performance lineup. Upgrades to the Gen-F include the extraction of even power and torque from the big V8s, a facelift to give an even more positive stance on the road, additional colour choice and new personalisation items.The upgrades start with an increase in power and torque, to 340kW and 570Nm, on HSV's three R8 models, the ClubSport R8, ClubSport R8 Tourer and Maloo R8. Power increases on the HSV ClubSport and Maloo models see them lifted to 325kW, which is the same power output as the previous E Series 3 GTS. This gain is due to the fitment of a high-flow exhaust system with an X-pipe intermediate. The standardisation of a bi-modal muffler is part of the package.Changes to the electronics on the exhaust system will now be fitted to all HSV models with the exception of Grange. It's aimed at giving you an even throatier engine note. Sounds good to us, however we haven't yet had a chance to get behind the wheel of one of the new HSVs, as soon as we do we will report back in detail.Many HSV buyers still like the added control given by a six-speed manual gearbox. If you do opt for an six-speed automatic all models now come with steering wheel mounted paddle-shifters. The HSV GTS now has a distinctive Dark Stainless finish on its 20-inch Blade forged alloy wheels. The 20-inchers on the HSV R8 models are finished with Tornado Grey accents.Two new colours have been added: some Like It Hot, a rich bronze/red and Jungle Green, an iridescent olive green, will be introduced to the range (these supersede Karma and Fantale).Vehicle personalisation items include the availability of a new high-mounted Hyperflow Performance rear spoiler for the ClubSport, ClubSport R8 and GTS. A Pitch Black Style option will be available on the three R8 models. Pitch Black sees black accenting on the side vents and mirror housings, together with the low-line spoiler on the ClubSport R8 sedan and the tailgate on the ClubSport R8 Tourer wagon.Obviously very proud of his new range, HSV's managing director, Tim Jackson says, "It's fair to say that the market acceptance of the GEN-F range since its launch last year has exceeded all our expectations. "We're confident the enhancements we're making to power, styling and vehicle personalisation will further embed HSV as the first choice for performance vehicle enthusiasts".