WILDER LOOK FOR NEW HSV RANGE !!

A day after Holden released its more fuel-efficient MY10 Commodore, its performance partner HSV has launched a new, more hairy-chested range of V8 sports sedans.

The new HSV E2 – or E-Series 2 – range has a more powerful hero car, an even sportier slant and more aggressive styling that sets it further apart from its Holden cousins.

The group has resurrected the ghost of the Pontiac G8 by incorporating that car’s signature twin bonnet scoops into its new E-Series 2 range.

Other visual cues for the new HSV E2 include Audi-style daytime running lights and a more masculine looking front grille for the sportier models to separate them from the more luxury-oriented cars in the range. The luxury-focused Senator and Grange don’t get bonnet scoops.

Under the bonnet of the new HSV E2, most of the cars retain the existing 317kW 6.2-litre V8, with modifications that reduce fuel consumption by up to 4.5 per cent to a still thirsty 13.9 litres per 100km.

HSV claims the new manual ClubSport R8 is more fuel efficient than a HSV VY ClubSport from 2002 which was 100 kilograms lighter.

But the top-of-the-range HSV GTS gets another 8kW after customers told HSV they wanted the car differentiated from the rest of the E-Series 2 range by more than just a badge.

Other changes include the availability of launch control on manual versions, a recalibrated version of the magnetic ride control suspensionwith stiffer springs for the HSV GTS, wider wheels and a new high-flow dual-mode muffler system that produces a throatier roar under heavy acceleration.

The E-Series 2 range’s stability control system also has a new “competition” setting which allows for more wheel slip for special track or motorsport applications.

Owners won’t have to worry as much about speeding fines either; like some luxury cars the HSV E-Series 2’s new cruise control brakes the car when it is travelling downhill to ensure its actual speed stays within one per cent of the set speed.

Managing Director Phil Harding said the new range was “a major investment in new product, features and performance, in a time of unprecedented economic turmoil”.

The investment also comes at a time when buyers are flocking to smaller, more efficient cars.

But HSV has proved remarkably resilient to both the downturn and the change in buyer habits, with sales declining just 10 per cent this year, compared with 15 per cent for the rest of the market.

Spokesman Simon Frost says orders for the new range have already been lodged by customers who want to buy a new model “sight unseen”.

There are no price increases on the HSV ClubSport R8, HSV Tourer R8 and HSV Maloo R8 ute, while HSV GTS and HSV Senator Signature models will cost just $700 more.

Buyers can order a range of new “SV Enhanced” options including six piston brake callipers on the HSV GTS, stiffer performance suspension, bigger 20-inch alloy wheels and the “bi-modal exhaust”, which has a deeper, louder burble at high revs.

Buyers ordering the SV Enhanced options get a badge to differentiate them from standard HSV E2 models. 

HSV ClubSport R8 customers can order the sports suspension, bi-modal exhaust, 20-inch wheels and leather interior trim, while Tourer R8 and Maloo R8 customers can have the bi-modal exhaust, leather interior trim and 20-inch wheels.

HSV GTS customers can option six piston front brake callipers with larger discs finished in yellow.

This option includes a unique accent finish for the 20-inch wheel design.

The HSV GTS gets the bi-modal exhaust as standard.

HSV Senator and long wheelbase HSV Grange customers can option bi-modal exhaust and 20-inch wheels.

HSV design boss, Julian Quincey, said the more radical looking E-Series 2 range was a direct result of customer feedback.

“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.”

“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,” he said.

The addition of daytime running lights added to the differentiation.

“We felt that such a strong visual cue was crucial to the new car’s identity and visibility,” he said.

But the new lights also serve a practical safety purpose, according to HSV engineer Joel Stoddart.

“According to the latest research out of Europe; DRLs have led to a greater than 25 per cent reduction in road accidents.”

HSV E-Series 2 range – What’s new

HSV ClubSport R8 sedan and Tourer R8 wagon

–         New front and rear design with Pontiac twin bonnet vents

–         New 19-inch wheel design

–         “Competition mode” stability control allowing more wheel slip

–         Cruise control with downhill braking

–         Launch control on manual versions

–         Sports cloth seats as standard

–         SV Enhanced options including sports suspension (sedan-only), new
exhaust, leather trim and 20-inch wheels

Price: $65,990 (sedan), $66,990 (wagon)

HSV Maloo R8 ute

–         New front and rear design with Pontiac twin bonnet vents

–         New 19-inch wheel design

–         “Competition mode” stability control allowing more wheel slip

–         Cruise control with downhill braking

–         Launch control on manual versions

–         Sports cloth seats as standard

–         SV Enhanced options including sports suspension (sedan-only), new
exhaust, leather trim and 20-inch wheels

–         Side and curtain airbags

–         Upgraded stereo system

Price: $62,990

HSV GTS

–        New front and rear design with Pontiac twin bonnet vents

–        New 20-inch wheel design

–        “Competition mode” stability control allowing more wheel slip

–        Cruise control with downhill braking

–        Launch control on manual versions

–        Stiffer and recalibrated Magnetic Ride Control (MRC) suspension.

–        Standard bi-modal exhaust

–        SV Enhanced option includes six-piston front brake callipers, finished
in yellow with black HSV insignia and four-piston rears with black wheel
accents.

Price: $80,990

HSV Senator Signature/Grange

–          New front design with more subtle graphics

–          New 19-inch wheel design

–         “Competition mode” stability control allowing more wheel slip

–         Cruise control with downhill braking

–         Launch control on manual versions

–         SV Enhanced options including new exhaust and 20-inch wheels

Pricing: $82,990 (Senator), $87,990 (Grange)

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