HSV Clubsport 2008 News

Even at a time when fuel economy is top-of-mind with a growing number of Australian drivers there is plenty of space on the roads for Commodores and Falcons with old-fashioned V8 muscle under the bonnet. They burble menacingly at idle. They are the backbone of V8 Supercar racing.Yet V8s in the 21st century are not what they were in the days when they first conquered Mount Panorama and a GTHO Falcon or a Monaro - or even a Valiant V8 - was a dream machine for a generation of Aussie youngsters.Since 1970 the crude oil price has exploded from $20 a barrel to double that amount during the Iran revolution, over $70 during the first Gulf War, broke through the $100 barrier ahead of the Global Financial Crisis and has now settled at just below $100.In Australia, petrol prices have correspondingly risen from about 8c a litre in 1970 to about 50c in 1984 and almost $1.50 today.Despite all this, and despite one attempt at a death sentence by Ford in the 1980s, the V8 has not been wiped from Australian showrooms. Holden and Ford have continued to produce large cars with a V8 alternative and continue to slog it out at Bathurst.But Australian cars, even the ones that now have American V8s imported for local use, are not the only bent-eight blasters on the road.Germans are prolific builders of V8s and produce some of the most powerful engines in the world thanks to AMG-Mercedes, BMW and Audi. English V8s are built by Aston Martin, Land Rover and Jaguar, while the Americans provide V8s in the Chrysler 300C sold here. Even the Japanese luxury brand Lexus has a V8 in its IS F hero and its luxury saloon LS460, as well as the LandCruiser-cloned LX470.Most V8s are powerful enough breathing ordinary air, but there are many forced-induction models with either turbo or supercharging to liberate even more power. Walkinshaw Performance does the job in Australia for Holden, BMW is going down the turbo V8 road for its latest M cars and Benz had a time with a supercharged AMG V8.But V8s are not just about unrestricted power. The push for greater fuel economy has also reached V8 land and so Chrysler and Holden have V8s with multiple displacement technology which shuts down half the cylinders when the car is just cruising to improve fuel economy. Formula One racing engines now do the same thing when they are idling on a grand prix starting grid.Holden's Active Fuel Management (AFM) was introduced on the V8 Commodore and Caprice in 2008 and the red lion brand is committed to the engine - with future technology updates - despite near-record fuel prices."It is incumbent on us to keep it relevant and continue introducing new technology that delivers on our customers' needs," says Holden's Shayna Welsh.Holden has the biggest stake in V8s with more models than any other company selling in Australia. It has a total of 12 models with V8 engines across four nameplates and four body styles, including Commodore SS, SS V, Calais V, Caprice V and the recently introduced Redline range. V8s account for about one quarter of Commodore sedan sales and almost half of Ute sales."We see it as being more than just the V8 engine - it's about the entire car. It's the whole performance package that appeals to people and we want to continue making cars that people are proud to own," Welsh says."The combination of features and technology, great handling and braking and outstanding value is consistent across our V8 model range."Ford fans are also committed to V8s, according to company spokesperson Sinead McAlary, who says a recent Facebook survey was overwhelmingly positive."We asked whether they worry about petrol prices and they say 'No, it's the sound of the V8 we love and we are prepared to pay the price'," she says.Both Ford and Holden also have performance divisions where the V8 was, and still is, king. Ford's is Ford Performance Vehicles (FPV) and Holden's is Holden Special Vehicles (HSV).HSV marketing manager Tim Jackson says their sales are "on par" with last year."That's despite the fact that last year we had the limited edition GX-P which is an entry level product for us," he says. "We don't have that model in our range at all this year and you would expect numbers to come off, but we've been able to maintain sales volume."All of HSV's range are powered by a naturally aspirated V8 engine (6200cc 317kW-325kW), while the opposition at FPV has gained the kilowatt advantage with forced induction (supercharged 5000cc 315kW-335kW).Jackson says their LS3 V8 has been "validated" by customers."We're not getting guys screaming at us to go turbocharging. The LS3 is an extraordinary unit. It's a light engine with a good power-to-weight figure. There is not a turbo engine that would do it for us at the right development cost. But I wouldn't rule it (turbo) out or rule it in."Jackson says there have been no repercussions from the rise in petrol prices."Our customers don't have other choices in their repertoire," he says. "A small car doesn't suit them and they're not into an SUV. They're of a certain level where the whole cost of running the car is easy for them to absorb."The top-selling HSV is the ClubSport R8, followed by the Maloo R8, then GTS.However, the greatest HSV in history is debatable, Jackson says.HSV engineering boss Joel Stoddart prefers the all-wheel-drive Coupe4 and sales boss Darren Bowler the SV5000."The Coupe4 is special because of its engineering but I like the W427 because it's the fastest," Jackson says.FPV boss Rod Barrett says they are also experiencing strong sales growth. He says they sold about 500 cars in the first quarter, which is up 32 per cent on the previous year. He also says sales of the F6 have slowed since the launch of the supercharged V8 engine variants late last year, as customers "opt for power". Ford no longer offers a V8 with the demise of the XR8 sedan and ute last year."Our middle name is performance so we have all the V8s," Barrett says. "When we were launching this new supercharged car all the V8s came across here."Barrett says their supercharged engine has changed people's minds about "dinosaur V8s"."The turbocharged F6 was a cult hero car in its day and people thought a V8 was a low-tech dinosaur," he says. "But when we produced a high-tech all-alloy five-litre supercharged V8 built in Australia people started to think that V8s aren't all that bad after all. I'm not seeing the demise of the V8 just yet, but for us, the future is hi-tech."The supercharged 5.0Litre V8 335kW FPV GT continues to be FPV's top-selling vehicle followed closely by the supercharged V8 5.0 litre 315kW GS sedan and GS ute.Barrett believes the current GT is the best FPV car yet with its segment-leading power, light weight and improved fuel economy."However, I think our most iconic car was the 2007 BF Mk II 302kW Cobra in white with blue stripes. That car brought back the passion of '78 with the original Cobra. If you have a look at the second-hand prices, they are still holding up very well" he says.

Holden Special Vehicles has launched two new models, revealing the ClubSport R8 Tourer and W427 Showcar to the Sydney audience. But there are also a couple of milestones for the brand, celebrating 20 years of the brand and 40 years of the first Australian Gran Turismo Sportivo (GTS).First appearing on a HK Monaro in 1968, the GTS nameplate has been part of the HSV lexicon since its return to the market in 1992 in the form of the 200kW VP GTS and has since been the hero car-line for the high performance car company.To commemorate 40 years of GTS, just 100 specially released models will be built, with black heritage stripes, tyre pressure monitors and a commemorative '40 years of GTS' logo embedded on the headrest, brake calliper, sill plate and rear panel.Priced from $80,170, the 40 years of GTS is only available in Sting Red and Heron White.Meanwhile a new Senator Signature SV08 introduces a new Tremec TR6060 manual gearbox to the range, which will become standard across the HSV line-up later this month.Twenty years on from the SV88, Holden Special Vehicles has released a limited run of 50 HSV Senator Signature SV08s.The luxury SV08 receives exclusive lower paint-outs, sill plates and additional chrome accenting on the side mirrors and door handles, along with 20-inch alloys.  Available in Nitrate (Silver), Sting Red and Voodoo (Blue), production is limited to 20 manual and 30 automatic versions priced from $82,700.HSV has also got its hands on the Holden Sportwagon and created the ClubSport R8 Tourer, HSV’s first wagon since the all-wheel drive 2003 Avalanche.Powered by HSV’s LS3 engine producing 317kW and 550Nm, the manual R8 Tourer is priced from $65,990 which is a $1000 premium over the ClubSport sedan.HSV has also brought to Sydney the W427 showcar finished in the same Panorama Silver as the original Group A SS VL Commodore, aka Walkinshaw. The modern day Walkinshaw 427 is powered by a 7.0-litre V8 engine with 500hp, that’s hand built at  GM’s Performance Build Centre in Detroit. The W427 retails for $155,500.

Holden Special Vehicles has launched two new models, revealing the ClubSport R8 Tourer and W427 Showcar to the Sydney audience. But there are also a couple of milestones for the brand, celebrating 20

THE next car from Holden Special Vehicles will be a wagon. The coming HSV Tourer is claimed to have better acceleration and a better overallbalance than the car's bestseller, the R8 ClubSport.“It is marginally quicker than the sedan,” HSV managing director Scott Grant says.“You lose nothing in the drive. It's for people who still want the driving characteristic of a HSV, but need the versatility and load-carrying ability of the wagon.”Grant reveals there was internal conflict over the Tourer, and whether HSV should produce a wagon after the relative failure of the last mainstream model in 1998 with the VT and all-wheel-drive Avalanche in 2003.“We've had mixed results, and there was a big debate about whether we would do it. The major positive aspect of the program came when we saw the shape of the Holden wagon. It's something we can really work with.”The HSV Tourer will be on the road in September and, like the Holden Sportwagon, will have a $1000 price premium over the equivalent sedan. That means $65,990 with the same specification as the ClubSport, and leather and 20-inch wheels as options.The Tourer plan comes as HSV looks to protect its future in the face of falling demand for locally made cars and the impact of rising fuel prices on V8 engine sales globally.“We sell about 4000 cars in Australia. With environmental pressures, gas prices and the rest, it will drop to about 3000 a year,” Grant says. “Demand might soften, but it won't ever go away. There is a heartland demand for rear-wheel-drive V8s in this country.” 

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.

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. 

HSV had plenty to live up to when it was formed back in the late-1980s, following on as it did the legacy established by Peter Brock's HDT Special Vehicles.Brock wove magic in a series of mundane Holdens and created cars deserving of the 'special' tag. Brock's cars are now very collectable.Despite lacking the Brock name, HSV has established its own niche and has a strong following. Its most prominent and popular model has been the Clubsport, a name first attached to an HSV-modified Commodore in 1990.It's been HSV's mantra that they build refined performance cars and the VY Clubsport was true to that concept. Words such as refinement, sophistication and quality were liberally splashed around on the release for the Y Series in 2002.The addition of body kits had a dramatic effect on the Commodore's appearance, taking it from family-friendly four-door to sports stunner.A lower stance, courtesy of the HSV-tuned suspension, was further enhanced by some sharp 18-inch alloy wheels filling out the wheel arches.The Clubsport boasted sports seats, a leather-bound steering wheel, sports dials, bright colours and sports highlights to reinforce the concept while maintaining relative sophistication.Under the skin lay sports shocks and springs, which produced a sporting bias and sharper turn-in. It also boasted the HSV Performance Braking package, which included larger ventilated front and rear discs, and larger front calipers.The standard 5.7-litre LS1 V8 was boosted to 260kW at 5600rpm and 475Nm at 4000rpm, which made it capable of propelling the 1600kg Clubsport from zero to 100km/h in less than six seconds. HSV offered the choice of a four-speed auto or a six-speed manual, and drive was through the rear wheels. ABS antiskid stoppers and traction control assisted drivers.For an even sportier ride there was the Clubsport R8 with added enhancements, particularly the improved braking from the Premium Braking package, which included larger front and rear discs, and more powerful calipers.A year after the Y Series was released HSV updated it with a Series 2, which brought more power (285kW) and torque (510Nm), a heavy-duty four-speed auto, and on the R8 the Performance suspension that was previously only on the GTS model. Inside there were new seats with four-way power adjustment and new trim.Poor resale has been an issue with HSV cars while Brock Commodores increase in value. The LS1 V8 suffered piston problems so check if it's had a rebuild. The Clubsport's suspension offers agile handling and responsive steering.There's front and side airbags for the front seat occupant's safety. It's a tuned V8 so expect 13-15litresper 100km on average around town, 10-12 when you hit the highway.  Snapshot  HSV ClubsportVY/VY 2Years: 2002-2004Price: $25,000-$28,000 for an early Y Series Clubsport; add $2500 for the R8. A VY 2 can be had for $28,000-$31,000; another $2500 will secure an R8.Engine: 5.7L/V8; 260kW/475NmEconomy: expect 13-15L/100kmRating: 70/100Verdict: Looks good, goes hard, but it's not for the faint-hearted or inexperienced driver. RivalsFalcon XR8Years: 2003-2005Price: $23,000-$30,000 BMW 540Years: 2000-2003Price: $40,000-$70,000 Jaguar XJ8Years: 1997-2003Price: $22,000-$70,000