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Melbourne 2009: Limited edition HSV Senator unveiled
Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Misc. Auto Shows, Australia, HSV, Specialty 
Click above for a high-res gallery of the HSV Senator
In conjunction with the 2009 Melbourne Motor Show, HSV has announced the release of a special-edition Senator super-sedan. A less-expensive ( $69,990 AU - about $44,600 USD) alternative to the pricier, more lavishly-equipped Senator Signature ($80,500 AU - about $51,300 USD) that launched in 2006, the Senator will be limited to a total of just 89 cars. Thirty of these cars get manual transmissions; the rest will have automatics.
While the new Senator makes do withoutfeatures such as the Magnetic Ride Control suspension found on the Senator Signature, the important part - the 6.2-liter LS3 V8 lump underhood - remains. It's good for 317 kilowatts (425 horsepower) and 550 Nm (405 lb-ft) of torque, which should be more than enough juice to generate a cloud of tire smoke visible from the moon.
[Source: HSV]Melbourne 2009: Limited edition HSV Senator unveiled originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 Feb 2009 10:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Permalink | Email this | Comments
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Someone did it: Holden Commodore conversion for your Pontiac G8
Filed under: Sedan, Pontiac, Holden, HSV 
General Motors has been the perpetrator of several fortunate and unfortunate badge engineering jobs over the years, and the G8 -- based off the Holden Commodore -- is the most recent example. The Aussie sedan was partially developed with American sales in mind and because of that, it doesn't take much to give your spiffy new G8 a nose job inspired by the Land Down Under. Australian firm JHP Vehicle Enhancements will sell you an entire body kit to change your G8 into a Holden for a mere, um, $4,000 if you choose to go all out in an attempt to replicate the HSV model. That's a sizable chunk of change, but beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Since we're less concerned with appearances, we'd just put the extra scratch towards upgrading to the GXP.
[Source: JHP Vehicle Enhancements via Autofiends]Someone did it: Holden Commodore conversion for your Pontiac G8 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 06 Nov 2008 18:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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HSV unveils 40th Anniversary GTS, SV08 in Sydney
Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Misc. Auto Shows, Holden, Australia, HSV, Specialty 
Click above for hi-res gallery of the HSV SV08
It's anniversary time in Oz for HSV, Holden's high-performance division. That means stripes, stickers, commemorative badges and a pair of new unveilings at the Sydney Motor Show. In HSV's case, at least, the extra pieces of flair go on fire-breathing, tire-shredding LS3-powered monsters, so the usual lameness attached to these sorts of things goes right out the window. The 40th anniversary of the GTS nameplate's first appearance (on the '68 Monaro) means we get a special HSV GTS 40th Anniversary model. And since 20 years have passed since the original SV88 appeared, a special edition HSV Senator Signature dubbed SV08 has also been unveiled. HSV will build 100 of the Anniversary GTS models and just 50 SV08s. And yes, we'd happily take one of each, thank you.
[Source: HSV]HSV unveils 40th Anniversary GTS, SV08 in Sydney originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 Oct 2008 10:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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Duel: HSV GTS and FPV GT-P face off Down Under
Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Ford, GM, Holden, Australia, FPV, HSV 
FPV vs. HSV is basically Australian for "Ford vs. Chevy," but on steroids. The two performance divisions have elevated the production of the muscle sedan to an art form, with audacious looks and big power ruling the day. It's as if the original American muscle car era never ended, but got a passport and moved Down Under. Granted, we in the States don't have much to complain about lately, with Aussie muscle now available in a Pontiac wrapper, as well as the 21st century editions of Camaro, Challenger and Mustang waiting to wreak havoc at stoplights.
Still, the sweetest fruit is that which is forbidden, so you might be interested in the Motoring Channel's super acronym showdown: FPV GT-P vs. HSV GTS. The FPV is based on the new Ford FG Falcon, which arrived earlier this year, while the HSV's Holden Zeta platform underpinnings are now a couple years old. Both have V8s, both look evil, and tires break into cold sweats at the mere thought of being mounted on either machine's rear axle. With these two rides, the differences are such that picking a winner is akin to choosing between porterhouse and prime rib. It's not as if you're going to be disappointed either way, but deep down, you do have a preference. Click here to read which menu item the Motoring Channel likes best. Thanks for the tip, Torrent!
[Source: Web Wombat/Motoring Channel]Duel: HSV GTS and FPV GT-P face off Down Under originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 05 Sep 2008 19:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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Baby got back: HSV launches ClubSport R8 Tourer
Filed under: Performance, Wagon, GM, Holden, Australia, HSV  Click above for a hi-res gallery of the ClubSport R8 Tourer
HSV's ClubSport R8 Tourer has officially arrived, giving our friends from Down Under the means to haul stuff, ass and any combination thereof as long as they part with $65K AUD. The super-duper Commodore SportWagon has got LS3 V8 power with 425 horses and 405 lb-ft of torque ready to transfer its rear tires to the ozone layer. To further underscore the undeniable awesomeness of this package, the standard gearbox is a six-speed manual. An automatic is available as an option, as are 20-inch wheels and a full-leather interior. Chances of us seeing this here? Essentially zero, since Pontiac is getting the Ute (G8 ST) instead of the wagon. That's just a shame. Sure, it's no Wagon Queen Family Truckster, but a hypothetical Pontiac G8 Safari GXP would deliver raucous fun for the whole family.
[Source: HSV]Baby got back: HSV launches ClubSport R8 Tourer originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 02 Sep 2008 11:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds. Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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