HSV Clubsport News

With the impending implosion of the Holden brand, it’s worth having a look to see if any of the lion products will be worth hanging onto as investments in the longer term

Potent GTSR W1 headlines swansong Australian-built HSV range

Take $10,000 off the price of limited edition sedans as the LS3 V8 gets one last blast

A homegrown family wagon that’s faster than a Porsche? It’s all yours … for $90,000.

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

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.

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. 

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".

Walkinshaw has just raised the Australian performance bar with the launch of two supercharged W Series packages for the  6.0-litre Holden VF Commodores and 6.2-litre Gen-F HSVs. Both costing $18,990 fitted, the packages are named for their power outputs.The W457 package for the 6.0-litre VF Commodore V8s will deliver 457kW at 5600rpm and 780Nm at 3700rpm -- a massive 187-197kW and 250-253Nm rise,  with the torque peak also arriving 700rpm earlier.The W497 package for LS3 6.2-litre Gen-F HSVs gives you 497kW at 5560rpm and 955Nm at 3690rpm. Again, that's a considerable 157-180kW and 385-405Nm benefit over the standard models: the 317kW/550Nm Clubsport, 325kW/550Nm Maloo and 340kW/570Nm Grange and Senator Signature.Goodies in the packages include a WP230 supercharger package, large high flow injectors, Eaton Twin Vortices 2300 Series (TVS) Gen VI rotors, water to air intercooler package, custom moulded heater hoses, cast aluminium coil covers, unique Walkinshaw Performance injection moulded cold air intake package, heavy duty serpentine belt drive system, 12” long intake runners, custom moulded intercooler hoses, self-contained oil system, full stainless steel exhaust system -- including ceramic coated headers and high flow catalytic converters.You'll also get a full dyno tune from an authorised Walkinshaw Performance Centre, W Series Certificate of Authenticity and Vehicle Identification, and full drive line warranty for the balance of the manufacturer’s new vehicle warranty for eligible vehicles.Walkinshaw Performance general manager Tony Harris described the force-fed kits as the peak of local engineering and design."The W Series has already seen the naturally aspirated W310 and W375 packages which offer terrific performance and value for money that we have developed thanks to the outstanding base vehicles -- the VF SS Commodore and the Gen-F HSV," he said. "Today we take another step with the W457 and W497 packages. These packages represent the pinnacle of Australian automotive design and engineering capabilities."On power figures alone it's impressive, but as we always say; drivability is the number one goal and we believe that these W Series twins are exceedingly well mannered in this key area. That said, it's hard to hide the performance results and these cars are guaranteed to bring a smile to the face of every motoring enthusiast.""Back in 2004, the 297kw VZ ClubSport was rightly heralded as a significant development for HSV. At the time a journalist said it was "ferocious off the line" and that it brought "high-end performance within easier reach of more people". We see these packages offering similar- and yet so much more.”This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincottWatch Walkinshaw's W457 and W497 video here.