Holden Special Vehicles has released details of a new, 20” forged option wheel to be available on its E3 range.

The new SV Performance Forged wheel comes in a “dark stainless” finish and features the premium “SV” logo etched into the wheel spoke.

Keen HSV enthusiasts may recognise the wheel from the recently launched SV Black Edition models, where the wheel was standard fitment but in a gloss black finish.

The new SV Performance Forged wheel comes in an 8.5” front and 9.5” rear sizing and has been designed to be available as an option on all HSV models (excluding the SV Black Edition). It will also be compatible with the 6-piston brake package available on the GTS. (more…)

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 released details and announced pricing of its new SV Black Edition.

Based on the E Series 3 range, the SV Black Edition will be available in ClubSport R8 and Maloo R8 guise. The package will see cosmetic upgrades and cost a few thousand dollars over the regular prices.

The “darkness” of this Black Edition starts with the exterior, where matte black paintouts on the front and sides combine with the “Vector” bonnet scoops. The Clubsport R8 also receives a bootlid spoiler.

All SV Black Edition vehicles will be dressed up with, twenty inch forged and staggered SV Performance alloy wheel finished in gloss black. The limited edition Clubsport R8 also get HSV’s performance suspension, as well as HSV’s Bi-Modal exhaust. Under the bonnet it’s business as usual with HSV’s 317 kilowatt, 6.2 litre, LS3, Generation 4 V8 engine.

The interior features a unique finish on the console, instrument panel and steering wheel while special edition sill plates, Onyx leather trim, matte black badging and a subtle lip spoiler on the ClubSport R8 complete the package. A unique build plate is also fitted to every vehicle. (more…)

Speedtech Motorsport are hosting a Holden Owner’s Evening on Wednesday 25th May at 7:30pm in Lower Hutt. The crew at Speedtech have extended the invitation to all Holden and HSV owners who want to learn more about their machines and how to get the most from them. Maintaining and modifying your Holden can be confusing even for the total petrol heads amongst us so the boys at STM are trying to educate the masses. Attendance is free.

Topics covered in the session include hot to increase the power, torque and economy on your Holden, maintain it well and retain resale value.

Here’s a snapshot of how the evening is organised:

• Holden Tech Talk – Learn more about your car, including how to modify it
• Dyno demonstration – See and hear a VE SS Commodore running on a dyno
• Check out parts available for modifying your car
• Check out first-hand the brand new HSV E3 GTS and Clubsport on display
• See an over the radiator intake shoot out
• Enjoy free drinks and nibbles and chat with like-minded enthusiasts (more…)

Holden’s high-performance division HSV has just announced that is has struck up a relationship with V8 Supercars, and will become the Official Safety and Course Car Supplier to V8 Supercars for the 2011 season.

General Manager of Marketing at HSV, Tim Jackson, said HSV is thrilled to be increasing its presence at V8 Supercar rounds by supplying the safety and course cars for the 2011 Championship.

“We have been in discussions for some time with V8 Supercars, and it is great that we have been able to strike this type of relationship.”

“In addition to the safety and course cars, our association includes some exclusive on-track initiatives for HSV, and provides us a great opportunity to integrate our entire race relations program which incorporates the Holden Racing Team, Bundaberg Racing, Garth Tander, Greg Murphy, Fabian Coulthard and Cameron McConville.”

“We look forward to providing consumers a very exclusive on-track HSV Drive Experience with our race drivers at selected events, as well as expanding on the ‘Speed Trap’ at Bathurst by incorporating it into more events, and utilising more data for fans to enjoy.”

V8 Supercars CEO Martin Whitaker said it’s great to have HSV on board leading the 2011 V8 Supercar field. (more…)

The March 2011 issue of NZV8 has just hit the shelves, so don’t forget to grab your copy today.

In this month’s issue we have a wicked big block Plymouth Barracuda cover car, this 1968 fastback is flawlessly finished and comes packing a 600hp 496ci powerplant. Other feature cars include a ’66 Chevy Malibu street car and a VK Commodore ‘Blue Meanie’ replica (except better). There’s also a supercharged 1963 Ford Fairlane and we see who comes out top between FPV’s new GT-P and HSV’s GTS with an old fashioned showdown. We have full event reports from the Kumeu Car Show, the Jalopy Dust Up at Waihi Beach and round two of the Central Muscle Cars. Our awesome sheds section takes us to the expansive garage of Robyn and John Dellamura who show us an amazing collection of American metal and memorabilia. (more…)

Name: Frank Williams
Car: 2005 HSV Avalanche

Hey Frank, different-looking car you’ve got. What exactly is it?
It’s a Holden Avalanche V8. When I bought it, it was 255kW, but now with the work that Eastern Automotive have done, it’s 430kW. It’s 4WD so we can’t run it on the dyno, but flywheel power is 430-plus. I’ve fitted BMW mirrors, a Monaro bonnet, twin exhausts, 19-inch rims, new clear LED tail lights, and DVD screens in the back headrests for the grandkids. There’s more I’d like to do to it but I’ll do them over a period of time now that the engine is all done.

That’s some serious power; what has been done to it?
Sean and Paul at Eastern Automotive have done a mafless tune, fitted the air intake, new exhaust, cam, ported and polished the heads, fitted new valve springs and a PowerPlus intake manifold, and tuned it. They did a great job of it. Plenty of power and torque. It’s loud but not obnoxious, just enough so you know it’s got some power.

What made you choose an Avalanche in the first place?
It was for work, as I do a lot of driving. Before this I had an Adventra [non-HSV 4WD V8 wagon] and before that I had an Acclaim. I’ve always needed a station wagon for work, but I’ve always believed that station wagons are underestimated. People think if you are going to get a fast car, get a sedan. But there are a lot of wagons which look smart and can go. This can do both and it’s different, and it goes very quick.

What do the folks in the HSV club think of it?
I’ve only been to one meeting, in Taupo. At the race track on the Sunday there were a lot of people looking at it. They wanted me to race it, but I watched a mate of mine go round and blow his engine. If I had all the heavy-duty parts in the transmission I might look at doing it, but the transmission is very expensive, so I wouldn’t do it without changing that first. I’d go for a six-speed auto and that way I’d be more comfortable pushing it harder, not that you can’t push it now.

I really just enjoy showing it; it’s a show vehicle to me. Twenty years ago I might have looked at giving some of these guys a go. A lot of the young guys smile and wave at me. They can hear the exhaust note and know it’s a true V8.

(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…)