HSV GTS News

A collection of rare Australian muscle cars is currently up for auction in Perth, and each model could set a new record sale price if current market appetite is any indication.Bids are now open for the group of 'Ultimate Aussie Muscle Cars', with bidding

Holden Special Vehicles (HSV) will mark the end of local Commodore production with its most powerful, most expensive and most exclusive W1 model that starts its build program this month.

Potent GTSR W1 headlines swansong Australian-built HSV range

Holden is going to extra-ordinary lengths to get buyers back into showrooms as it prepares to shut its local car factory.

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 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".

We pit the HSV GTS against the Ford Falcon GT with a die-hard fanatic and collector of each brand.

Forget record high petrol prices: Aussie revheads are rushing to buy V8-powered Holden Commodores and Ford Falcons in record numbers as the iconic sedans near the end of the production line.

The return of the former chief engineer means big plans at Holden's fast-car division.

Aussie car fans and nostalgia buffs will tell you that local motoring reached its peak in the 1970s.