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
guise. The package will see cosmetic upgrades and cost a few thousand dollars over the regular prices.
