HSV have today unveiled their latest range of high-performance vehicles, dubbed Gen-F. The launch is one of the most exciting Australian vehicle launches in some time, and is being touted as the company’s most significant model range in its 25 year history.

Based on the new Holden Commodore VF platform, the lineup is all new, rather than just a facelift of outgoing models. Highlights of the Gen-F range include a significant exterior styling makeover including new front and rear fascia’s, tail-lamps, wheels and spoilers.

The new premium interior encompasses new seats, fabrics, instrument panels, gauges, centre console, trims and finishes. Four different engine power options are available, with the most significant one being the 430kW, 740NM option in the range-topping HSV GTS – the most powerful engine to ever be offered in an Australian production car.

A new “SV” option on the three “R8” derivatives – ClubSport, R8, ClubSport R8 Tourer and Maloo R8 offers a power upgrade to 340kW / 570Nm, unique 20-inch SV Performance forged alloy wheels (finished in Satin Graphite), a lo-line spoiler, and distinctive “pitch black” accents on the fender vents and exterior mirrors.

A new range of technological advancements have been added to the vehicles, including Bi-Modal Air Intake, 3rd Generation Magnetic Ride Control, Torque Vectoring and a Driver Preference Dial which controls a range of electronic vehicle performance systems. 

The vehicles also wear new forged brake calipers and larger rotors that offer significant improvements in pedal feel, stopping power and a reduction in unsprung weight.

All models of the out-going HSV E3 range line-up including the recently introduced ClubSport and Maloo models will be available in Gen-F.

The GTS, which is the highlight of the range makes its 430kW thanks to a 6.3-Litre supercharged LSA engine. Other highlights include improved braking performance, an upgraded 9.9-inch diff and stronger axles, as well as brake-torque vectoring, a first for the HSV lineup.

Located conveniently behind the gear shifter, the Driver Preference Dial adjusts the vehicle’s ESC, Traction Control, Launch Control (manual transmission), Torque Vectoring, Electric Power Steering (another new addition to the GEN-F range), MRC and Bi-Modal Exhaust, according to four distinct pre-set modes – Touring, Sport, Performance and Track. In doing so, the vehicle’s handling characteristics instantly change.

The GTS’s new Forward Collision Alert is another first for the manufacturer and makes the cars amongst the safest in the world! A camera, located above the rear view mirror, scans the road ahead up to 14 times per second. When a crash is predicted, the driver is alerted with an audible tone and a visible alert in the Head Up Display. Anticipating hard braking, the system applies sufficient brake pressure to close the space between the brake pads and rotors, thus delivering a quicker brake response time.

HSV’s Managing Director, Phil Harding says “It’s a really proud moment for the team at Clayton”. “The GEN-F range is the culmination of over 4 years of design, development and testing and we’re really confident that we’ve developed the best HSVs ever”.

While pricing for is yet to be announced, Harding confirmed that HSV remains committed to offering the best value high performance vehicles available in Australia. “Value for money has always been, and will continue to be, a key pillar of our success. While we’re not in a position to announce pricing just yet, I can assure our fans that they won’t be disappointed”, said Harding.

Production of the new HSV range will start in two weeks’ time with vehicles due to arrive in local HSV showrooms in early July, with the GTS arrive in late September.

Look out for more info over the next few days, and we’ll bring you news on the pricing as it becomes available.

After HSV announced their new special 25th Anniversary edition line up a few months back, we suspected they may be holding out on releasing the GTS till the upcoming Sydney Motor Show. And we were right. The 25th Anniversary GTS is well worth the wait though, building on an already impressive list of standard features, including a 325kW, 6.2L engine.

The cars feature a new design light-weight, 20-inch forged wheel in a satin graphite finish, which reduces overall weight by 22kg over the stock GTS wheel package. The vehicles “Vector” hood scoops and side vents, also receive the satin graphite treatment. The previous option only 6-piston brake package will now come as stock, as does the side blind zone alert.

Just 15 of the vehicles will find their way to New Zealand, and they should land around the end of October all going to plan. Each will be equipped with a personalized build plate, along with 25th anniversary ornamentation including seat embroidery, exterior badging, sill plates, and EDI “start-up” screen. With the $7600 worth of upgrades, plus the vehicles collectable appeal, the price is an impressively low $104,900, just $3000 more than the regular GTS. Not bad at all if you ask us!

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…)

What started as a father/son build has turned into a rolling memorial that would make any dad proud.

4 Wheels Are Better Than 2

In 1996 Nathan Smith and his father were looking for a project. Nathan’s dad was into restoring motorbikes and Nathan had helped him on a couple of his builds. When it came time for Nathan to start a project of his own, he was looking for something a lot larger than a motorbike and with more than two wheels. Having had a couple of HQ sedans in the past, Nathan decided an HQ coupe would be the ideal next step.

Dad found what they were looking for through the local Invercargill Holden Club. It was an ex-tow vehicle for a drag machine that had then itself been turned into a straightliner. In its drag form it ran a tunnel-rammed 454ci big block, but by the time it got into Nathan’s hands it was just a rolling shell with a trans and diff, a factory interior with a not-so-factory roll cage, and a big hole where the 454 used to be. It looked as if it had seen much better days. (more…)

The 2011 New Zealand Festival of Motor Racing celebrating the career of Kiwi driver, Chris Amon, will take place at Hampton Downs over this weekend (January 21-23) and also next weekend (January 28-30). The event is promising motor sport enthusiasts an unrivalled two weekends of classic racing and the best ever gathering of cars raced by Amon himself.

Chris will attend both weekends and although he no longer races, there will be time set aside for him to demonstrate some of his former cars including the Ferrari 246T, the Amon AF101, the Talon F5000 and the BRM P201 F1.

The 2010 Festival, which celebrated the life and career of Bruce McLaren, returned New Zealand to the international historic racing map and was watched by around 25,000 spectators. Organisers hope that with Amon present and likely to be demonstrating some of the machinery he used during his career, the 2011 event should be even bigger.

Eleven classes will race each weekend. A class for 1980s saloons and GTs has been added with several 1980s Group A cars — some of the most popular saloons ever to race — confirmed. Classic racing motorcycles will also compete over the first Hampton Downs weekend, with the ever popular Muscle Cars gracing the stage the following weekend.

Ex-Amon cars set to appear include the 1968 Ferrari 246T 2.4-litre that Chris drove to win the 1968 New Zealand Grand Prix. The same owner will bring a 1968 BRM P126 V12 driven in the Kiwi races of the Tasman Cup by Bruce McLaren. The 1974 Amon AF101 F1 car (the only Amon racing car ever produced) was driven by Chris in four Formula One races in the 1974 F1 season. Amongst a growing and mesmerising entry-list expected to top 330, a 1953 Maserati 250F — the very car that Stirling Moss drove to win the 1956 Australian GP at Albert Park, Melbourne — will also run. The car later came to New Zealand and was bought and driven by New Zealander Brian Prescott in the early 1960s. (more…)

Jacqui Madelin takes the new VEII Holden GTS for a spin around the skid pad at Holden’s Lang Lang testing facility and can’t get the grin off her face.

We’re sideways at Lang Lang test track with Greg Murphy at the wheel. So far so usual ” except we’re sideways with the stability control (ESC) on, and it’s working as it’s meant to.

This sport-orientated HSV ESC package ” with its clever launch control ” is the most important part of an otherwise minor facelift. For as Murph himself says, it “gives you the potential to have a bit of fun on the track, yet still drive it home that night.”
He’s impressed, but he would be ” he’s paid to be positive to his white-knuckled passengers. But lap times confirm the benefits aren’t just media bullshit. Garth Tander was 1.1 seconds per lap quicker at Winton with ESC in competition mode than with it off, clocking 1.39.59, and 1.1g of lateral load under braking.

That was in the GTS, which benefits most from the upgrades and now sits firmly atop the HSV tree.

Like the rest of the line-up, its new look is less understated, with the Pontiac bonnet underscored by low-mounted LED running lights that automatically fire when the headlights go off.

They bracket the ‘shockwave’ detail of the front grille and alterations to the air intakes and front bumper that accentuate the car’s width.

Meanwhile, cruise control developments reduce speed over-run on downhills, further engine tuning has improved fuel economy, and all the cars are data-dotted to discourage theft.

(more…)

A vid of a street driven HSV GTS Coupe going head to head against other Street Commodores weapons, including a 510rwhp VY Clubsport R8 race car with a V8 Supercar development category driver behind the wheel, an 800rwhp turbo 5.7 stroker Ute, VE R8, VE Senator, Supercharged VK, and whiteline test car.

A vid of a street driven HSV GTS Coupe going head to head against other Street Commodores weapons, including a 510rwhp VY Clubsport R8 race car with a V8 Supercar development category driver behind the wheel, an 800rwhp turbo 5.7 stroker Ute, VE R8, VE Senator, Supercharged VK, and whiteline test car.