Australia has had a long tradition of producing uprated high performance version of large family saloons. The task of upgrading these vehicles generally fell in house with the manufacturers (Ford and Holden) having a special division which handled the work. As the popularity of these performance vehicles increased both Ford and Holden decided to create off-spin companies to cater specifically for the performance enthusiast. Holden created HSV (Holden Special Vehicles) in 1988 and this company has grown to produce vehicles which can compete with the world’s best.
Known as the Holden Commodore in Australia and New Zealand, the HSV versions are sold as Vauxhalls in the UK and Pontiacs in the USA.
New for 2008 is the replacement for the outgoing 6.0L LS2 Chevrolet engine, the LS3. The LS3 raises the capacity the V8 to 6.2L , the extra 200cc produces 10 more kilowatts over the outgoing LS2 to give a huge 317kW (425hp) at 6000rpm. Torque remains at a considerable 550Nm.
This new engine could not come at a better time for Holden as its arch rival, Ford, is in the process of introducing its new FG Falcon range which is a direct competitor to the Commodore. The Falcon will also get a new range of high performance versions of the bread and butter Falcon model courtesy of its performance division FPV (Ford Performance Vehicles). FPV performance fans are expecting a revised 4.0L turbo six and a 5.4L V8 by June this year.
The LS3 V8 engine will be introduced from April this year and will be found under the bonnet of the whole range of HSV vehicles. 2008 should be a bumper year for the Australian car enthusiast.
Australian HSV now offers LS3 engine
Press Release (Click to expand)
New LS3 engine to power HSV from April
Holden Special Vehicles today announced a running change to its award winning E-Series and WM Grange vehicles, with the new GM LS3 engine to be fitted across the range for cars on-sale from April.
The upgrade will see the ClubSport R8, GTS, Senator Signature, Maloo R8 and WM Grange s power output rise to 317kW.
Managing Director Scott Grant said the new engine was a welcome upgrade to the range of vehicles from Australia s luxury and performance car maker. We know our customers want the latest and greatest technology in their cars, Scott Grant said. The General Motors LS3 engine continues the HSV tradition of scouring the world for technological advancements to enhance the driving experience.
It is built by General Motors Powertrain in North America and is available in the current Chevrolet Corvette. It will also be the engine used in the new Pontiac GXP, to be built by Holden in Elizabeth from the end of 2008 and exported to the United States.
The HSV LS3 engine has a capacity of 6.2 litres, producing 317kW of power at 6000rpm and 550NM of torque at 4600 rpm, as fitted to the HSV range.
Despite the power output increase, the new engine will deliver a slight improvement in fuel economy for Maloo R8 and WM Grange, while the short wheel base models return figures of 14.5 litres per 100km, as opposed to 14.4ltr/100km for E-Series LS2, in automatic mode.
Production of the new LS3 range begins this month and is available in dealerships from April. Vauxhall s VXR8 and the CSV R8, sold in the United Kingdom and Middle East respectively, will also receive the LS3 engine in 2008. New Zealand launches the LS3 engine with a limited edition Murph pack themed ClubSport R8 and Maloo R8.
HSV have released a new colour palette to coincide with the engine upgrade and for the first time WM Grange and Senator Signature will be available in Red Hot . Automatic transmission coolers are standard across the upgraded range.
HSV will also introduce a new 20 inch wheel option across its fleet, including Grange, Senator Signature and ClubSport R8.
The wheel is a $2500 option for those customers and a no-cost option for GTS and Maloo R8 performance pack purchasers.
The running changes have also resulted in a new pricing schedule with average price increases of between 1.3% and 2.8%.
HSV LS3 pricing schedule
Model Price (AUD)
Maloo R8 $61,550
Maloo R8 (auto) $63,750
Maloo R8 PP $3,990
ClubSport R8 $64,550
ClubSport R8 (auto) $66,750
GTS $76,990
GTS (auto) $79,190
Senator Signature $79,190
Grange $84,690
New 20 inch wheel option $2,500
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Comments
Check all the option boxes on the G8, and your looking at a sticker of $32985.
It seems GM at least realise that other countries might have good ideas and abilities to design decent cars (using US engines in GMs case) but Ford US certainly hasn't heard the penny drop, if they are selling the new Mustang with a (cough) live axle when a Ford Falcon taxi in Australia has IRS and 6 speeds... (and runs on LPG).
And like NISMO says, if a single cam and 2 valves per cylinder give decent HP and torque, why add costs and complexity (and service costs...) by adding 3 more cams and doubling the valve (and spring etc etc) count? The DOHC 32 valve 350 Corvette of some years back has less power and torque than the pushrod LS1 350 motor fitted to, well, everything GM makes? If you only need 1 cam and 16 valves in your V8, why add more? All you do is add cost.
Though I'll grant I lust for an Audi RS6 Avant with the twin turbo V10 and 426kW... But a Commodore V8 with a blower gets the same power for about 25% of the cost... And goes just as fast...
Oh, the Australia branch of NISMO got 1000hp out of that 4.0L inline 6 turbo motor of Ford Oz... though the motor ended up costing $60,000 Ozbucks after all the mods.
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