Monday 26th September 2016

640hp for HSV GTS-R 'W1' special

Aussie-built Holdens aren't long for this world - and the last one isn't going quietly!

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First off, the pics here aren't of the new Holden Special Vehicles GTS-R W1; this car is the current Commodore GTS, a car that we know in the UK as the Vauxhall VXR8 GTS. If the rumours are true though, the W1 promises to be even more berserk than that.

So like this, with 640hp. And competition dampers...

As you will probably be aware, Holden will cease Australian production of cars next year. To mark the occasion, Holden Special Vehicles is going all out on a valedictory special. Because when have Australians ever been shy about a celebration?

So out goes the LSA supercharged V8 from the GTS, to be replaced by... another supercharged V8. However, for the W1 it will be the LS9-spec Chevrolet V8, as found in the old Corvette ZR1 and pushing out 638hp. Oh yes, and it's believed to be manual-only too. Just as the Europeans are going all-wheel drive and automatic for fear of the cars being undriveable...

Moreover, this W1 promises to be more than a brute force sports saloon. HSV is apparently working with Supashock, an Adelaide-based manufacturer of - you've guessed it - dampers. While the name may not be well known over here, it supplies dampers to the Holden Racing Team V8 Supercars outfit. Supashock is said to be working on a unique specification for the W1, with the dampers set to be adaptive but non-adjustable. Bigger brakes and more aggressive tyres seem likely too.

Promises to be some farewell!

And what of the name? Those of you with good memories and a fondness for Australian saloons will remember the W427 of 2009, so called because its 427 cubic-inch V8 was installed at the Clayton factory owned by the Walkinshaws and not Holden's Elizabeth plant. This will happen again with the W1, a standard GTS being sent to Clayton for the various upgrades; Holden will sell off the normal LSA engines to recoup some of the costs (!).

Therefore it's all looking rather promising for the final Holden built in Australia. There's no word yet on how it will look, but expect a car even more imposing than the regular GTS. Australian media have suggested 250 GTS-R W1s will be built, with a price of around 170,000 Australian dollars. Or £100,000, at today's exchange rate. And you thought the special edition M5s cost a lot... More details when we have them!

[Source: Motoring.au]

[rtz62]

On your very own pages;


http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/v...

Ok, a bit down on power, but half the suggested price of the new one, and even the same or similar colour to boot !

[aka_kerrly]

Very cool, I do love these Aussie V8s, Commadores anything HSV. I was only out in a HSV GTS ex Walksinshaw Racing car yesterday and although we only went a short distance the suspension/dampening is very good and the engine is superb, even when barely using 10% of it's potential.

Such a shame it's the last of a breed!!

[irocfan]

sounds like an awesome idea <drool>

[FiveHundredBHP]

Yikes, looks like an MG Rover 75!

(Exhibit A, your honour)

Edited by FiveHundredBHP on Monday 26th September 17:45

[E65Ross]

Truly hideous! One of the least cool cars ever. I'm sure it drives well, and is a laugh, and has a stonking engine but, for my shame, I would be embarrassed picking someone up in that. Imagine picking up a 1st date in that!!!

[LittleEnus]

The whole put a big engine in anything days are all very 1990's. This thing is hideous.

[Relax]

What on earth have they done to the back of that......... tragic.

[aka_kerrly]

E65Ross said:

Truly hideous! One of the least cool cars ever. I would be embarrassed picking someone up in that. Imagine picking up a 1st date in that!!!

The GTS is also available in white & silver just like 90% of E60 BMWs

[E65Ross]

aka_kerrly said:

E65Ross said:

Truly hideous! One of the least cool cars ever. I would be embarrassed picking someone up in that. Imagine picking up a 1st date in that!!!

The GTS is also available in white & silver just like 90% of E60 BMWs

I wasn't even talking about the colour!

[FN2TypeR]

I love it, I'd have one in that green colour too, it's mental - in a good way.

Although the idea of that engine set up in a more mundane looking thing that hides its true intent would be alluring indeed, lose the exhauts and any badges, tone down the body kit and get it in silver or black - sorted.

[ZX10R NIN]

That's another awesome car resigned to passing away but what a way to bow out not quite Hellcat power but it'll probably put the power down more efficiently.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WoNAt9bQZtY

You'll see what I mean when you watch this.

[Sid123]

The original 2007/2009 cars look well-proportioned and not stupidly shouty (except for the exhaust).
The first make over in 2010 was a step backwards but this second 'update' is truly, truly awful.
Get a really good 2009 car for c. 20k, then spend 7k on a supercharger (if you feel the need) and you have an infinitely better looking car.

[Shakermaker]

Yes please!

[TaylotS2K]

Horrible. Agreed on the Rover likeness.

They always look so dated.

[irocfan]

Sid123 said:

no offence old chap but the top one just looks a little.... dull (though I'll admit that the tail-lights are nicer)

[Pommygranite]

FiveHundredBHP said:

Yikes, looks like an MG Rover 75!

(Exhibit A, your honour)

Edited by FiveHundredBHP on Monday 26th September 17:45

What the juddering fk are you talking about?!

I see a large number of these every day and not once have I ever thought Rover 75. The lights aren't the same, the shapes not the same, the size isn't the same and they don't sound the same.

[rtz62]

Strange how the passage of time changes our perspectives.
When the Lotus Carlton came about, the main discourses were about its performance (and didn't MPs, who had nothing better to talk about, discuss it being banned?) rather than its appearance.
I may be wrong of course, but checking the back of a well-known monthly car mag reveals they still call it 'Thr Millenium Falcon' of saloon cars, rather than 'Ooh, to looked like Darth Vader cod-piece'
I'll vote for having one, and also that global warming is a lot of hot air so therefore we should keep monsters like these...

[PomBstard]

Just what I was thinking. Someone releases a 600+bhp 5-seat saloon with RWD and a manual box and we're worried about the look of the tail lights?? Or that we couldn't possibly use it for a first date?? I'm just annoyed that the wagons don't come with a manual box any more.

[E65Ross]

PomBstard said:

Just what I was thinking. Someone releases a 600+bhp 5-seat saloon with RWD and a manual box and we're worried about the look of the tail lights?? Or that we couldn't possibly use it for a first date?? I'm just annoyed that the wagons don't come with a manual box any more.

The world's ugliest and fattest girl may give the best shag you'd ever get....but not sure if I'd want to.

[Pommygranite]

E65Ross said:

PomBstard said:

Just what I was thinking. Someone releases a 600+bhp 5-seat saloon with RWD and a manual box and we're worried about the look of the tail lights?? Or that we couldn't possibly use it for a first date?? I'm just annoyed that the wagons don't come with a manual box any more.

The world's ugliest and fattest girl may give the best shag you'd ever get....but not sure if I'd want to.

But you drive this:



A car literally called out for its fugly looks and weird proportions.

Now I'm a E39 owner myself and am partial to a little Bavaria but really you might want to check your own girlfriend out before you start throwing jokes around