HSV Senator News

Potent GTSR W1 headlines swansong Australian-built HSV range

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. 

Married with a daughter (who is also a Ford fan), Mr Watson currently has an FPV GT 335 sedan, the latest in a long line of Ford products."We have had around 20 Fords - various models, not just Falcons - after some Holdens. We have had many Fords, one has followed the other ever since and we have no plans to change camps," he says.Mr Watson looks at the red versus blue rivalry as something that is now generational. "When it started it was Moffat versus Brock and has grown since then to have people either red or blue, now we're talking second and third generation fans as children follow their parents," he says.The family has had an FPV GT since April - the supercharged 335kW version - and now wouldn't have anything else. "I absolutely love it, the supercharged V8 has plenty of power - we use it for normal road work, not track days, we don't push it that hard, but it has plenty of poke for overtaking," he says."We're also restoring an old XB Falcon - a full bare-metal restoration - with 393 stroker V8, that will sit proudly next to the new GT," he says.A big shed and a tolerant wife are two key ingredients to Daryl Leaker's impressive stable of Holden product. The 1998 HSV Senator Signature 220i shares garage space with a number of Holden, HSV and HDT machines."I've got a very big shed for them all, I've always liked Holdens because my father was a Holden salesman so it is in the blood I guess," he says.Mr Leaker hasn't always just owned Holdens - a Mitsubishi Pajero replaced a Ford Territory recently, but there balance of power has always been to the General, harking back to his formative years with a Holden salesman for a father."It was great when Dad was selling Holdens, I got to drive GTR XU-1s and 327 Monaros when they were brand new," he says. "When I turned 21 I bought myself an HQ GTS coupe and got some discount through my father, I wish I still had that car as well."The HSV shares shed space with a VN SS Group A and an HSV Statesman, as well as a HDT VK Brock Commodore SS in silver and an HJ Monaro four-door."I'll always be a Holden fan - I think I'd die of shock if the missus came home in an FPV GT," he says.

The aggressive double-scoop bonnet originally designed to cut through traffic in the USA has been transplanted to the second-generation VE models from HSV, pointing directly to a stonking 325kW V8 engine in the front-line GTS.It is part of a massive $500,000 model change that is almost the reverse of the low-key change for the regular VE Commodore, which has zero body changes but lots of engineering upgrades. HSV has also done a lot of tweaking, but designer Julian Quincey has gone wild with a range of changes and a lot more body jewellery to turn heads.Every E Series 2 manual also comes with full-on, race-style 'launch control' and there are a range of other technical upgrades across the line-up that runs from a competition mode on the stability control to 19-inch E2 alloy wheels on the ClubSport and beyond.But it's the bonnet that cuts through for E2 and HSV chief Phil Harding is happy to defend the donation from the Pontiac program. "We call it our performance bonnet. It's an HSV bonnet now," Harding says. "Actually, we asked for this opportunity over a year ago and at that stage no-one knew the fate of the G8 or Pontiac. We wanted Julian to have it for the facelift."We like the look of it. We think that makes our car look horny, or sporty, or whatever word you want to use."It helps give a tougher look to the E2 line-up but Harding, an engineer, is more focussed on the mechanical changes for the latest HSV line-up. "When we launched E Series we called that our $1 billion baby. This E2 is our half-billion baby. This is the biggest facelift we've ever done," Harding says. "We spent a huge amount on E Series and our sales went up 25 per cent in the first year. That approach worked and we decided to let the engineers loose to entice our customers three years later. "I'm guessing the appearance changes are around 20 per cent of the total bill. The rest is in technology and that stuff is going down pretty well."He targets the 325kW version of the LS3 V8 and the launch control system as the highlights for 2009. "Why do 325? Because we can, and because our customers want it. And they will probably tell us that it still isn't enough. "But, in parallel, we've done the responsible thing and worked on fuel economy. Every E Series II is more efficient than a VY II manual Clubsport, which had 5.7 litres and was 100kg lighter."The extra kiloWatts in the GTS have come from a re-calibration and a new lower-loss exhaust system, which points to a trickle-down to other models in future. Not that Harding is saying anything. "As for launch control, I think this is a kinder way of treating the clutch. It's a repeatable thing and easy to use. And we're putting the 7-litre clutch into the manual models."Apart from the model-by-model tweaking, the E2 models are also available with a new line-up of SV Enhanced options. They vary by model by generally include larger wheels, different exhausts and some cosmetic upgrades.The latest HSV cars hit showrooms this month but Harding is not making any big predictions because of the economic situation. "We'll more than double our daily output with this range. We'll still be down at the end of the year and I'm not sure how it will go. The market needs a kick," Harding says. "We have starved the market. I wanted the cleanest changeover and it's been the most successful since I've been here. At the moment we're trying to make one fewer car than is necessary, unlike the years when we've made one too many."VariantsThe 2009 lineup from Holden Special Vehicles has more visual differentiation than before and a bunch of technical changes. This is the basics, model-by-model:ClubSport R8 - from $65,990:Visual upgrade, 317kW V8, manual launch control, new seat trim, 4- piston brakes, 19" alloysMaloo R8 - from $62,990:Clubsport package, front-side-curtain airbags, 8" subwoofersR8 Tourer - from $66,990:Clubsport packageGTS - from $80,990:325kW engine, extended launch control, 20" alloys, performance leather seatsSenator Signature - from $82,990:Manual launch control, extended cruise controlWM Grange - from $87,990:Extended cruise control, competition mode ESP, new 19" alloys 

There were a couple of late arrivals including the gorgeous new BMW Z4 sportster, as well as more details on everything from the fuel miser Suzuki Alto to the Honda Insight which was shown as a left-hand-drive concept but will soon be sold as a $30,000-something hybrid hero.One of the genuine surprises was on the GM Holden stand, but it was not the Cruze.The unexpected news was details of a couple of limited-edition showroom specials to keep the Commodore ticking along.The International pack for the Commodore sedan and Sportswagon was not a shock, because dollar deals on Australia's favourite car always go well, but the arrival of a limited-edition Senator from Holden Special Vehicles was completely unexpected.The car is priced from $69,990, which doesn't look like much of a bargain until you clock the regular Senator at $80,500.Stripping the price means dumping some stuff, including the excellent 'magnetic ride' suspension, but the mechanical package is based on the latest Clubsport and that will be more than enough for most people."Today's release of the E-Series Senator is designed to appeal to customers seeking the performance our company is renowned for in a subtle - yet identifiably HSV - package, with a very attractive price point," says the managing director of HSV, Phil Harding.Only 89 cars will be built and it still gets 317 kiloWatts and 19-inch alloy wheels. In the style of every limited-edition model the car comes with a special logo, in this case on the headrests."We think it's a good time to put some extra value into the range and the Senator should do well," says Harding.Find out more on the 2009 Melbourne Motor Show

The production run of the E-Series Senator Signature will be just 30 manual and 59 automatic cars. They will be powered by HSV’s LS3 317kW V8 engine, with HSV performance suspension and 19” billet silver Senator wheels with silver brake callipers incorporating the black HSV logo, while the Senator logo features on the front and rear headrests. The Senator comes with leather onyx seats as standard and is available in Heron, Sting, Phantom, Nitrate, Karma, Voodoo and Evoke. It will be priced from $69,990.   The 2009 Melbourne International Motor Show...  

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

Close your eyes and you could be riding in a Euro car. Open your eyes and it feels as if you are driving a Euro car.The difference is that Euro cars don't approach the bang-for-your-bucks blast of the HSV cars with their thumping exhaust notes from well-tweaked big-bore V8s.The Euros also don't have the all-round value of the HSVs.The preview of the E Series cars is short but runs over some great roads, including a dash through the Dandenongs.This highlighted a couple of minor glitches in the final finish of the cars, but these are not full production cars and HSV says there will be no dramas in showrooms.The Clubsport R8 is up first and delivered as expected. It is quick, composed, well-equipped and delivers the driving enjoyment you expect in a car with an HSV badge.It feels more planted and more balanced than any earlier HSV car, even the high-priced ones, and - at last - a real leap up from an SS Commodore.It works well with the new six-speed auto (an extra $2000), but really honks with the slick new manual shift.The Senator Signature is, as you would expect, a more relaxed drive.Still taut, but with the emphasis on luxury in the cabin, a subtle ride and auto-shift V8 bang for overtaking.And the GTS? This is the car with the Magnetic Ride Control, which is awesome, as well as the full pack of go-fast gear.The suspension system crushes bumps while giving astounding grip and balance.There is a switch to flick between road and track settings, but even the firm option is compliant and keeps the car sitting flat in corners.The car encourages you to push harder, but we never get close to the limit. That must be reserved for a racetrack.We didn't try HSV's sub-five-second claim for a 0-100km/h sprint, but it seems about right, and the LS2 engine is a real stormer.We wonder about a single spacesaver spare, in front-wheel size, and some people will huff about the economy. But not the owners.Based on our first drive, and the GTS in particular, Australia is ready to shoot for the world cup.