LS3 in HSV from April

[raggyman]

On the hsv site notice this today..

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.

[stcollinsV8]

I put my order on hold at the wwekend because of these rumours, does anyone know when the UK cars will get the engine?? I am aware that Vauxhall and HSV post on here, could they please let us know when these changes are to be implemented? Are there other changes at the same time ?? Pricing??

I asked my dealer and WPP (HSV) at the weekend and everyone denied knowledge of it!!!

PS

Will we get the same wheel upgrade at the same price??

Edited by stcollinsV8 on Wednesday 26th March 16:32

[Well_Fans]

you won't get the new engine until they clear stock of the older cars - be crazy for them to do otherwise. Unless they do a price drop on the older model to shift it. Price of wheels - although the price looks attractive at a little over 1200 ukp at today's rates I'd expect them to do a 1:1 translation going by the price of spares for the Monaros so expect the new wheels to cost around 2500ukp. Of course that could just be me being cynical

[ringram]

I think there may be new colours as well. Karma and Voodoo or something

Rock on LS3. Nice. About time the corvette heads came. Should be a nice platform for mods. The heads are awsome in comparison. Like 250cfm vs 310cfm a 20% increase in airflow. Plus 5% more displacement. Guys are getting 470rwhp from cam only in Oz. No need for superchargers.. Mind you I suspect emmissions may be a challenge at that level.

[ringram]

Well_Fans said:

you won't get the new engine until they clear stock of the older cars - be crazy for them to do otherwise. Unless they do a price drop on the older model to shift it. Price of wheels - although the price looks attractive at a little over 1200 ukp at today's rates I'd expect them to do a 1:1 translation going by the price of spares for the Monaros so expect the new wheels to cost around 2500ukp. Of course that could just be me being cynical

I didnt think there was much stock. I saw on vxronline some dude had his from order arrive all wrapped up. I think they order from Oz as and when needed. Just probably a few dealer demo's around the place. So pipelines should be short. Perhaps new LS3's arriving late April early May is my guess.. But Stu might need to advise.

[stcollinsV8]

Well_Fans said:

you won't get the new engine until they clear stock of the older cars - be crazy for them to do otherwise. Unless they do a price drop on the older model to shift it. Price of wheels - although the price looks attractive at a little over 1200 ukp at today's rates I'd expect them to do a 1:1 translation going by the price of spares for the Monaros so expect the new wheels to cost around 2500ukp. Of course that could just be me being cynical

That may be a factory line price rather than the price over here whereby people keep their old 19 inch wheels. Be nice if we could specify build and not have to suffer the pricing.

[ringram]

Here is a pic of the new HSV LS3 wheels and tag with new Karma colour

Notice build date of Feb 18th! They are already built and waiting. Id say old stock was sold already otherwise there will be carnage.

Edited by ringram on Wednesday 26th March 20:53

[Turbo T]

any LS3 crate engines available yet

[Turbo T]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/LS3-6-2L-Crate-Engi...

[motomk]

One to two percent increase in price is mentioned in the latest Wheels magazine. The Pontiac GXP will essentially have the same driveline as the HSV Clubsport R8/VXR8.

[Jader1973]

I read today that export markets (UK and Middle East) won't be getting them until August.

Edited by Jader1973 on Thursday 27th March 07:36

[stcollinsV8]

Well I have asked Vauxhall direct, my dealer and HSV and no one will say anything! Really p***ed off now. All i want to do is order a car safe in knowledge that I wont get a model that is updated a week later.

PS

Do NOT like those wheels.

[ringram]

I would assume UK vehicles are assembled differently as they get a slightly different mix of parts. With maybe a couple of months on the shipping to get them here. Maybe they will get rid of the last few old models by shipping them here for a couple of months. No idea.
Im sure someone at Vauxhall knows something. Stu almost certainly does. However it may be a commercially sensitive topic. HSV Oz held off as long as they could dispite rampant rumour, speculation and leaks.

[raggyman]

I think that they would want to move the cars that they already have. To be honest I am half expecting the GTS to come out with a 7 litre, would expect that to be later in the year, as to me there would need to be bit more of a segregation between a R8 and a GTS. A 7 litre would be awesome.

I don't know how many VXR8's there are in stock, would imagine that there would be a few, especially cause I would have thought they would have done a big run of them, to get them on the boat all at the same time. That is probably why they won't be putting them out here until atleast August. Althought wouldn't have thought there would have been a massive change to putting a LS3 in as opposed to a LS2. The only factor being upper supply chain, and that they have a bunch of LS2 engines sitting around.

[stu harris]

LS3 engined cars should be here in time for Motorshow in July. They'll also come with a modest price rise.

Every dealer should have 1 car in stock and we have 5 saleable units to choose from in our compound.

Any pics of the UK cars are pilot and pre production which we're trying to get hold of for some testing.

The wheel package we've asked for type approval clarification if we can offer as a factory option.

HTH

Stu

[stcollinsV8]

Thank you for the information. How modest?