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Holden Special Vehicles

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rightHolden Special Vehicles (also known as HSV) is the performance vehicle operation of Australian motor car manufacturer Holden.

HSV 2006 Grange
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HSV 2006 Grange

Contents

History

HSV commenced its operations in 1988 as a joint venture between Holden and TWR - an operation owned by Scottish racing car driver and entrepreneur Tom Walkinshaw. It was started to replace the Holden Dealer Team's special vehicles operation run by Peter Brock, after Holden severed its ties during the "polariser" controversy.

The first car produced by HSV was the SV88 - little more than a body kitted Holden Commodore VL powered by a standard carburettered version of Holden's 5-litre V8. However HSV's next car, the SS Group A (also based on the Commodore VL and not to be confused with Brock's VL SS Group A) was a revelation. It had a distinctive body kit with a large rear wing (earning it the nickname of "The Batmobile") and was powered by a modified version of the Holden 5-litre V8, which had dual-body Electronic fuel injection and was rated at 180 kW in road car form. It was built as a touring car homologation, and managed to win the 1990 Bathurst 1000 race at the hands of Allan Grice and Win Percy for HSV's racing arm the Holden Racing Team.

Over the years HSV have built an array of modified vehicles, most of which have been based on the Commodore and powered by either Holden or Chevrolet sourced V8s. Notable HSV models include the SS Group A (both the VL and VN Commodore versions), the SV 5000, Clubsport, Senator, GTS, GTS-R, XU6 and the Grange. The HSV GTS 300 was the most powerful production vehicle in Australia, producing 300 kW from its 5.7-litre Chevrolet V8, and can produce 0-100 km/h times 5.1 seconds, and low-13 second standing 0-400 meters. Production of this model stopped in 2004. the most powerful production car in Australia at the moment is the Clubsport with a 305KW (415HP) 6.0 litre V8 engine from the C6 Corvette

During 2002, HSVs future was put under question when TWR went into receivership. Holden finally bought out both HSV and HRT. The latter provoked controversy as factory-owned teams were outlawed in the V8 Supercar series, hence it was eventually taken over by Mark Skaife. HSV still continue to modify, develop and sell Holden product both within Australia, and also overseas, most notably the Middle East, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.

Series

VT Series

This series came out with a completely new look models. This was the last series with the 5.0 litre V8 and the Aussie 5.7 in the GTS. A Senator wagon was introduced, one the first HSV wagons to be produced. Again, the VS ute body was maintained for the Maloo.

Maloo

Manta

Clubsport

GTS

Senator Signature

Senator Signature Wagon

Grange

XU8

VT II Series

Many new features and unique things where thrown into the cars, as well as the new 250 kW 5.7 litre GENIII LS1 V8. Models of VTI HSVs didnt make it through to the VTII (Manta, Senator Wagon, XU8). This series also saw the introduction of Australia's fastest production car, the GTS. The new model of Statesman and Caprice that Holden bought out gave the Grange it's new look. We also saw the introduction of a supercharged model named the XU6. Again, the VS ute body was maintained for the Maloo just as it was in the VTI range..

Clubsport R8

'Grange

Senator

GTS

XU6

Maloo

VX Series

Owners now wanted their vehicles to be distiguished from the normal Holden Commodores. Because of this HSV made sure that unique body kits and interior features were in place to make the HSV seem less like a Holden. This series also saw the addition of 5 kW to the LS1. The new VU Holden Ute bought a new look Ute.

Clubsport

Clubsport R8

Senator

Grange

GTS

Maloo

XU6

VX II Series

This model saw the introduction of HSVs first Coupe' models based on the new Monaro. The GTS in this model was replaced with the Coupe GTS, with a less powerful GTO Coupe available also. A special edition, the SV300 was also introduced to the VXII series.

Clubsport

Clubsport R8

Senator

Grange

Maloo

XU6

VY Series

A new looking Commodore model is out, and HSV gave us their version with another bodykit to try and make a larger visual leap between Holden and HSV. The GTS returned in it's sedan form in this series looking meaner than ever. Also, the LS1 got another power bump up and was now 260 kW. This saw the end of the supercharged XU6 due to lack of demand and poor power upgrade.

Clubsport

Clubsport R8

Grange

Senator

GTS

Maloo

Maloo R8

Senator Signature

Coupe'

VY II Series

A larger power upgrade to 285 kW saw a big performance bonus for people wanting the new HSV. This also sparked rumors that a new engine was due to be used, with the development of Chevs new LS2 nearly complete. This power upgrade was awefully close to the 300 kW GTS mark so some thought the GTS was set for an increase soon too. The new model Statesman/Caprice from Holden also influenced the new Grange. The GTO coupe' was back. New AWD models were introduced with the introduction of AWD Cross8 models in Holden.

Clubsport

Clubsport R8

Clubsport SE

Maloo

Maloo R8

GTS

Senator

Coupe GTS

Coupe GTO

Coupe LE

Grange

Senator

Senator Signature

Coupe4 AWD

Avalanche AWD

XUV AWD

The Z Series

2006 GTO Coupé.
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2006 GTO Coupé.
The latest series of HSVs (released in October 2004) are known as the "Z" Series, reflecting on the VZ Holden Commodore they are based on. This saw the introduction of the new Chev built LS2 V8 into all the models, providing 297 kW (415 hp) across the board. The AWD models retain the LS1. The lack of GTS in the series is due to the fact that there is no unique engine for it anymore, now sparking rumors of the new LS7 V8 going to be used. The new Statesman/Caprice model also saw the Grange get an upgrade. Many limited Editions were introduced in this series with the SV6000, GTO-LE, Yellow Thunder Ute, Clubsport-R and the very limited Racing Line of Clubsports.

Clubsport

Clubsport R8

Maloo

Maloo R8

Senator

Grange

GTO

Coupé 4

Avalanche

VXR

The VXR is a rebadged Vauxhall Astra VXR and is being imported form the UK. It has a 2.0 litre Turbo 4cyl engine. This is the first 4cyl model in a long time.

Limited Editions

SV99

SV300

SV6000

Yellow Thunder Maloo

GTO LE

Z Series Clubsport Racing Models

Racing

HSV is running the HSV Dealer Team (also known as the HSVDT,) in the Australian V8 Supercar Championship with Garth Tander and Rick Kelly as there drivers. After a difficult start to the 2005 season they finished very strong, gathering podium finishes. They are having a very sucessful 2006 season with them currently winning the championship and both drivers in the top 3, with Garth Tander currently leading the championship and Rick Kelly demoted to third by Ford driver Craig Lowndes after Hidden Valley.

HSV also run the Holden Racing Team operations (also known as HRT), although this operation is now owned by the team's number 1 driver and former Australian Touring Car Champion, Mark Skaife. HRT's second driver is

Engines

Chev 6.0-litre V8 LS2

This engine debuted in the Z series. It is a Chevolet built LS2 V8 customized for HSVs usage.

Chev 5.7-litre V8 LS1

This motor started it's debut in the VTII series of HSV sedans. It produced 250 kW of power - 30 kW more than HSV's previous 5.0 V8 used in the VT. It was a slightly de-tuned version, with 7 kW less than when it was in the two-door sports body of the Corvette. It also was enhanced by Callaway to 300 kW for the VTII GTS. This engine made it's way up to 285 kW in the VYII series, just 15 kW under the 300 kW GTS. It was then phased out for the new 6.0 litre LS2 in the Z Series. It is still used in the AWD models of the Z series though.

Aussie 5.7-litre V8

This motor started it's debut in the VR series of HSV sedans. It was an enhanced version of the 5.0 litre and was originally available on the VR/VS Senator and GTS/GTS-R. It was also available on the long wheel base models and was known as the Grange. Its last appearance was in the VT GTS(Series 1). The LS1 replaced it in the VT series 2.

HSV 2.0-litre 4 Cylinder Turbo

International

(This engine has not been confirmed by HSV yet)

Records

On May 25, 2006, a 2006 HSV Maloo R8 driven by Mark Skaife was recorded at an averaged speed of 271.44 km/h (168.7 mph) on a closed section of road in Woomera, South Australia.[link] The speed was recognised by the Guinness World Records representative, Chris Sheedy, as the Fasted Production Pickup Truck recorded. The speed improved on the previous record held by a Dodge Ram SRT-10 by 22.66 km/h (14.08 mph).

External links

Official

Blogs

Forums

Websites

News


Automobile Engineering (Tuning) companies
Australian companies: FPV | HSV | Tickford
Belgian companies: Gillet
British companies: Prodrive
Danish companies: Kleemann
French companies: Renault Sport
German companies: Abt Sportsline | AC Schnitzer | Alpina | AMG | BMW M | BRABUS | Carlsson | Gemballa | Hartge | Irmscher | PPI Automotive Design | Reiger | RUF | Steinmetz
Italian companies: Racing Dynamics
Japanese companies: Autech | HKS | Mazdaspeed | MINE'S | Mugen | Nismo | Ralliart | Spoon | STI | TRD | Veilside
Swiss companies: Rinspeed
US companies: GM Cadillac V-Series | GMPD | RDSport | lingenfelter | RENNtech | Saleen | SRT | SVT
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