After having the keys to the latest HSV GTS for a week, we were reluctant to give them back… Yes, it is that good.

It doesn’t lumber like you expect a car of its size should. Instead it feels nimble, refined and smooth. It’s an unexpected combination but a pleasant surprise. And that is merely the first thing that strikes you when driving the HSV E-Series 2 GTS.

It’s a big car and, with 325kW on tap, it’s certainly no slouch. But we knew that before we were handed the keys.

What’s surprising is how smooth the car is on the road, even with the massive 20-inch wheels.

It’s easy to see that millions of dollars have gone into the development of this vehicle, and we suspect many European cars were scrutinised for ideas before it went into production. There’s a level of sophistication and refinement you wouldn’t necessarily expect in a big Aussie muscle car. (more…)

Holden Special Vehicles has confirmed that it will be wheeling out a range of high-performance LPG-fuelled models early next year.

The gas-powered engine will be based on HSV’s current 6.2 litre LS3 V8, but will make use of advanced liquid propane injection (LPI) technology that allows very precise usage of the fuel.

Speaking at the media launch for the HSV E-Series 2 range (read news), HSV Managing Director Phil Harding said cold-weather evaluation trials had pushed back the debut date for the LPI engines, but that the technology was going to market in the first quarter of 2010.

“We have sent three mule vehicles for cold weather testing in recent weeks,” Mr Harding said. “The reports back from the Engineering team are encouraging and we have engines on dynos completing durability programmes. “If all goes well, we should be able to launch LPI in early 2010. That’s a little later than I planned but it’s still an exciting program.”

When asked about a diesel-powered HSV model Harding downplayed speculation, saying such a vehicle wouldn’t sell enough units to warrant its development. “At this stage, a diesel product program will not proceed,” he said. “We looked at it seriously and the business case doesn’t stack up.”

Harding went on to reveal that in addition to dumping the Astra VXR from its line-up, HSV would not be importing the European-market Vauxhall Corsa VXR and Insignia VXR.

Holden Special Vehicles has officially unveiled its E-Series 2 line-up, showing off the first major mechanical and styling updates for its VE Commodore-based super sedans.

The hero GTS has received a power increase and equipment levels have improved across the range. Styling has also been a focus with some revisions.

Most noticeably is the new twin-nostriled bonnet borrowed from the Pontiac G8. Additionally, different front and rear bumpers offer a new look and a new range of wheel designs finish it off.

Deeper air dams on the front bumper, even chunkier detailing characterise the new body designs, and offer quite a significant change from the outgoing models.

A fashionable strip of LED daytime running lights are now standard across the HSV E2 range.

“We needed a new identity that would both excite the passionate HSV buyer and equally one that could be picked out by the non car enthusiast,” said HSV Chief of Design and Styling, Julian Quincey. “This meant that our overall front and rear graphics had to be substantially changed from the original E series and ideally also look lower, wider and more sporty.”

Dubbed “Shockwave” within HSV, the E2’s angular new styling direction is one that the Clayton, Victoria-based company will be building upon.

“The new theme runs across the front and rear graphics, design of the mesh, wheels and exhaust tips,” said Quincey. “The twin bonnet intakes also work well with our signature twin nostril grill and the feature lines are very dynamic with a strongly angled taper to the front of the car.”

Under the new bodywork lays some new technology and retuned powerplants.

The new top spec engine is used exclusively by the HSV GTS it’s the same 6.2 litre LS3 V8 but now it puts out 325kW with the rest of the E2 range receiving an LS3 in 317kW spec.

Fuel economy has also seen improvement through small engine management tweaks. HSV has managed to achieve up to 4.5 percent more fuel economy from the LS3 V8.

A new “Competition Mode ESC” system allows for spirited driving and a bit of fun, without entirely removing the safety net provided by stability and traction control.

A new Intelligent launch control system puts engine rpm in the middle of the engine’s torque band during hard launches – a gift for those wanting to get off the mark with haste.

Cruise control has also been revised in the E2, now gaining the ability to control braking as well as acceleration.

The Competition Mode ESC and Extended Cruise Control systems are standard across the range, and Intelligent Launch Control comes fitted to all manual-transmission models.

Some optional extras will be also be offered in the E2 models, and will be sold under the “SV Enhanced” banner.

Options include a performance suspension for the R8, leather trim for the R8, Tourer R8 and Maloo, and a bimodal exhaust and 20-inch wheels for the entire range – excluding the GTS.

SV Enhanced options for the performance flagship GTS consists of a set of massive six-piston front calipers and larger front rotors. The bi-modal exhaust and 20-inch alloys are standard on the GTS.

Check below to see more detailed description and prices for each E2 model:

ClubSport R8

• All new front and rear design encompassing performance bonnet scoops and ‘shockwave’ inspired theme.

• 317kW LS3 V8 engine.
• Competition Mode ESC
• Extended Cruise Control
• Launch Control (manual vehicles only).
• Four piston front and rear brakes.
• All new E2 Sports 19 inch wheels
• Sports cloth seating as standard.
• SV Enhanced options include Performance suspension, bi-modal exhaust, Sports leather seats and 20 inch wheels.

Retails from $84,090 NZD

Maloo R8

• All new front appearance encompassing performance bonnet scoops and ‘shockwave’ inspired theme.
• 317kW LS3 V8 engine.
• Competition Mode ESC.
• Extended Cruise Control.
• Launch Control (manual vehicles only).
• All new E2 Sports 19 inch wheels.
• Sports cloth seats as standard.
• Driver & passenger front airbags now include front, seat side & curtain side airbags.
• Addition of dual 8” subwoofers located in the rear cabin quarter trims. Audio output 170W.
• SV Enhanced options include bi-modal exhaust, Sports leather seats and 20 inch wheels.

Retails from $78,790 NZD

ClubSport R8 Tourer

• All new front appearance encompassing performance bonnet scoops and ‘shockwave’ inspired theme
• 317kW LS3 V8 engine
• Competition Mode ESC.
• Extended Cruise Control.
• Launch Control (manual vehicles only).
• Four piston front and rear brakes.
• All new E2 Sports 19 inch wheels.
• Sports cloth seats as standard.
• SV Enhanced options include bi-modal exhaust, Sports leather seats and 20 inch wheels.

Retails from $86,340 NZD

GTS

• All new front and rear appearance encompassing performance bonnet scoops and ‘shockwave’ inspired theme.
• Upgraded 325kW LS3 V8 engine.
• Hi-flow intermediate exhaust with bi-modal mufflers.
• Competition Mode ESC.
• Extended Cruise Control.
• Launch Control (manual vehicles only).
• Magnetic Ride Control (MRC) Performance suspension, stiffer and
• recalibrated.
• Four piston front and rear brakes. All new E2 Performance 20 inch wheels.
• Performance leather seats.
• SV Enhanced options include six-piston front brake callipers, finished in SV Enhance yellow with black HSV insignia and four-piston rears with unique wheel accenting.

Retails from $97,390

Senator Signature

• All new sophisticated front and rear appearance incorporating subtle elements of the shockwave graphic theme.
• 317kW LS3 V8 engine.
• Competition Mode ESC.
• Extended Cruise Control.
• Launch Control (manual vehicles only).
• Magnetic Ride Control (MRC) Premium suspension.
• Luxury Nappa leather seats.
• Four piston front and rear brakes
• All new E2 Luxury 19 inch wheels.
• SV Enhanced options include bi-modal exhaust and 20 inch wheels.

Retails from $97,990

WM Grange

• 317kW LS3 V8 engine.
• Competition Mode ESC.
• Extended Cruise Control.
• Magnetic Ride Control (MRC) Premium suspension.
• Luxury Nappa leather seats.
• Four piston front and rear brakes
• All new E2 Luxury 19 inch wheels.
• SV Enhanced options include bi-modal exhaust and 20 inch wheels.

Retails from $103,090

Holden Special Vehicles has released a second teaser video for its upcoming E Series 2 range, but it reveals very little.

V8 Supercar driver Garth Tander plays the lead role in the low-budget vid, and although there are no glimpses of the new car to be had, Tander does at least say the E Series 2 will be noticeably quicker than HSV’s current Commodore-based range.

The E Series 2 is set to be the most extensively engineered HSV product ever.

HSV Managing Director Phil Harding is busy talking it up by saying that total investment in the E Series 2 project is greater than the combined development cost of HSV’s previous VX, VY and VZ-based products, and that those who’ve already seen it have been “blown away”.

So prepare to be blown away when the new HSV range launches this September 9th.

Holden Special Vehicles has released its first teaser video for the updated E Series 2 range, showing a GTS that looks similar to the current model, but with some subtle differences.

There does appear to be changes to light clusters and the wheels have a new double-spoked design. A partly obscured bonnet suggests there may be some surprises in the basic body shape.

There is also no power shown in the clip, hinting that rumours of a power increase from 317kW to around 325kW are true.

The HSV E Series 2 range will officially debut on September 9.

The latest update from Holden Special Vehicles (HSV), is that the company will be launching a range of updates on its current E-Series lineup on September 9th this year.

The news was announced by Holden itself, and like other manufacturers it’s delaying the final revealing of the details to help build anticipation and hype for the newly updated products. Known as the E-Series ’2′ range of vehicles, the final details will be revealed next month but the company has given away some clues as to what the updates will involve.

Speaking at a press conference in Melbourne yesterday, HSV managing director Phil Harding confirmed the updates to the E-Series 2 cars will deliver improved economy, more power and some distinctive design themes. The updates will cover the entire HSV range include the Clubsport R8, GTS and Maloo ute.

The current range of E-Series models feature GM’s LS3 engine putting out around 425hp. After the updates there should be bump in power for the LS3 up to around 435hp, as well as a cosmetic freshen up.