Seven-litre Holden Commodore unveiled

[crisis]

THE King Kong of Holden Commodores was unveiled this morning.

Holden Special Vehicles has gone all-out for the final celebration of its 20th birthday, creating a car that sets a new performance benchmark in Australian-made motoring.

It is a 7-litre animal with 370kW and 640Nm, and a 0-100km/h time in the supercar league - quicker than five seconds.

The HSV W427 is being revealed on the opening day of the 2008 Melbourne Motor Show, which runs until March 10, and is already cleared for a limited production run of about 200 cars a year at HSV headquarters in Clayton.

HSV makes no apologies for the car, even at a time when fuel economy and social responsibility are gaining importance in motoring, and says it shows what the company can do and what the VE Commodore can become.

"It's certainly the quickest and most powerful HSV car. It's the ultimate expression of what HSV can do," company managing director Scott Grant says.

"Why are we doing it? Because we can. I've said that before, but it's true."

The heart of the W427 is the same LS7 V8 engine used in the US in the Chevrolet Corvette, complete with a dry-sump oil system, a unique cold-air intake and an "active" exhaust system, which runs quiet at idle but opens to a bellowing roar at full throttle.

The show car has been painted in Panorama Silver, the same body colour used for the original HSV VL Commodore - nicknamed the Batmobile - 20 years ago and has a red leather interior.

But most people will be struck by the super-aggressive front styling - which lifts the impact of the VE Commodore to a new level - the 20-inch alloy wheels and the carbon-fibre rear spoiler.

The W427 is the second 7-litre concept from HSV, following a race-bred Monaro that never got beyond a good idea.

Only two of the Monaros were built. One is on display at GM Holden headquarters in Fishermans Bend, the other is for sale in Sydney for more than $900,000.

"We got close to launching a 427 Monaro, but it didn't make it through the system, mainly because of technical issues, but also the price was going way, way up to $200,000 and more," Grant says.

"The VE architecture provides us with the opportunity to do the car properly, allowing us to drop in the higher-performance engines.

"The level of modification and cost of the previous car was out of control, but this time it's relatively affordable."

Grant is predicting a price about $125,000 and says all W427s will be built in a special new production area at Clayton.

"We still don't know the final price. The car will be available in July for somewhere around $125,000-plus," he says.

"That price range is not for everybody, but a fair amount of work has gone into the car.

"The interior treatment is different, the transmission is different, the front fascia is completely different. Apart from the engine, there are new wheels, a six-piston braking package, a rear carbon-fibre spoiler.

"There are quite a few differences around the car and that will make it a car that gives a halo to the HSV brand."

Grant says customers will be encouraged to watch progress as their cars are built.

"The cars really will be very, very special. We are going to build about four a week. And we will only build them to order. We don't have a sales plan as such.

"We will hand-build these cars. They will come from Holden as a GTS and then we will completely hand-build them. There will be no automated production in terms of assembly.

"Customers will have a unique opportunity to get close to their cars. That could mean a webcam for live updates or they can come and watch."

Grant says HSV has been looking at a 7-litre engine for more than a year, tapping into the American pipeline that has provided engineering support, and will eventually ship complete engines to Australia.

"We're always looking at powertrains. We've been searching for years for a halo product that says what the brand is about."

But is the W427 appropriate for 2008?

"The answer to that is from an HSV brand point of view, and not just this car. We are a niche company and we appeal to people who appreciate our sort of cars," Grant says.

"On a small, limited basis I think the W427 is appropriate for our company and our customers."

[crisis]

[whiteballz]

I'll take three.

[Sauc3]

Originally Posted by crisis

These are pictures of the correct car, the photo at the top of the page is of the new HSV Coupe.

[crisis]

Yeah it had me a bit confused. I got the story and the coupe pic from a mate’s email and the other images from other press releases. The email apparently came from the Adelaide Advertiser so they may have stuffed it up. Is the coupe a goer then or just a concept?

[Sauc3]

Originally Posted by crisis

Yeah it had me a bit confused. I got the story and the coupe pic from a mate’s email and the other images from other press releases. The email apparently came from the Adelaide Advertiser so they may have stuffed it up. Is the coupe a goer then or just a concept?

Concept atm, but I guess it's a combination of the old Monaro and Torana Concept. Fairly certain to make production though.

I'm ashamed to admit, I actually like it.
Not so much the W427. Not all that great in the flesh.

[fordman6]

Well the FG F6 could already be on the W427's heels with the same[-ish] 5.0 sec 0-100km/h and with the F6 more than likely 660nm (in overboost - most of the drive) it'll have more torque (already)!!! And it'll look way better than that piece of... walrus tusk! Not to mention more than 1/2 the price!!!

[2ndclasscitizen]

DO WANT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And this means MOTOR was wrong as well.

And finally, that coupe is porn, even if does look like a massive 1-series coupe at the back. I'm going to badger my Dad for the next 8 months to buy one to replace his Calais in October.

[P4g4nite]

It's the ultimate expression of what HSV can do

A straightforward crate engine install?


Commodore + LS7=$1250000? perhaps.. if you really, really love HSV. I'm sure a competent workshop could install a crate LS7 into an existing SS for a sight less.
Not to mention supercharging or turbocharging that little old 6.0L would net you similar output ..with enough change for a deposit on a house.

Originally Posted by Fordman6

Well the FG F6 could already be on the W427's heels with the same[-ish] 5.0 sec 0-100km/h and with the F6 more than likely 660nm (in overboost - most of the drive) it'll have more torque (already)!!! And it'll look way better than that piece of... walrus tusk! Not to mention more than 1/2 the price!!!

The ford will have the torque but it won't have 500horsepowers. They'll still hold it behind the V8 which is unfortunately far behind the GM products.

[SlickHolden]

When CSV started to ad 7lt's into VE's they found some extra poke, And they got more then the 370kw that the vette was getting, More like 400kw+..
But it slightly came at a cost low revs were lumpy they said, And the exhaust was booming on freeways..
But with HSV I'm sure they would have tried to tune it's balls off to make it as nice to drive as a 6lt HSV.
Best thing about that motor is it's stock from the factory, So there is plenty of room for mods.

They have been doing this for sometime and trying to hide it.

But i still haven't seen the coupe from holden yet? The coupe-60.

[WyleECoyote]

I absolutely love them both!!

I think the W(W for Walkinshaw I assume)427 would be a goer for production, not so sure about the Coupe.

The coupe isn't actually a HSV car, it is built by Holden to celebrate 60 years, six decades since the GM-Holden 48-215.

High Res (Up to 1600x1200) are available from Net Car Show at the url's below. Detailing inside the Coupe is awesome.

Holden Coupe 60 Concept:
Holden Coupe 60 Concept (2008) with pictures and wallpapers

HSV W427 Concept:
HSV W427 Concept (2008) with pictures and wallpapers

[WyleECoyote]

Originally Posted by crisis

THE King Kong of Holden Commodores was unveiled this morning.

Holden Special Vehicles has gone all-out for the final celebration of its 20th birthday, creating a car that sets a new performance benchmark in Australian-made motoring.

It is a 7-litre animal with 370kW and 640Nm, and a 0-100km/h time in the supercar league - quicker than five seconds.

The HSV W427 is being revealed on the opening day of the 2008 Melbourne Motor Show, which runs until March 10, and is already cleared for a limited production run of about 200 cars a year at HSV headquarters in Clayton.

HSV makes no apologies for the car, even at a time when fuel economy and social responsibility are gaining importance in motoring, and says it shows what the company can do and what the VE Commodore can become.

"It's certainly the quickest and most powerful HSV car. It's the ultimate expression of what HSV can do," company managing director Scott Grant says.

"Why are we doing it? Because we can. I've said that before, but it's true."

The heart of the W427 is the same LS7 V8 engine used in the US in the Chevrolet Corvette, complete with a dry-sump oil system, a unique cold-air intake and an "active" exhaust system, which runs quiet at idle but opens to a bellowing roar at full throttle.

The show car has been painted in Panorama Silver, the same body colour used for the original HSV VL Commodore - nicknamed the Batmobile - 20 years ago and has a red leather interior.

But most people will be struck by the super-aggressive front styling - which lifts the impact of the VE Commodore to a new level - the 20-inch alloy wheels and the carbon-fibre rear spoiler.

The W427 is the second 7-litre concept from HSV, following a race-bred Monaro that never got beyond a good idea.

Only two of the Monaros were built. One is on display at GM Holden headquarters in Fishermans Bend, the other is for sale in Sydney for more than $900,000.

"We got close to launching a 427 Monaro, but it didn't make it through the system, mainly because of technical issues, but also the price was going way, way up to $200,000 and more," Grant says.

"The VE architecture provides us with the opportunity to do the car properly, allowing us to drop in the higher-performance engines.

"The level of modification and cost of the previous car was out of control, but this time it's relatively affordable."

Grant is predicting a price about $125,000 and says all W427s will be built in a special new production area at Clayton.

"We still don't know the final price. The car will be available in July for somewhere around $125,000-plus," he says.

"That price range is not for everybody, but a fair amount of work has gone into the car.

"The interior treatment is different, the transmission is different, the front fascia is completely different. Apart from the engine, there are new wheels, a six-piston braking package, a rear carbon-fibre spoiler.

"There are quite a few differences around the car and that will make it a car that gives a halo to the HSV brand."

Grant says customers will be encouraged to watch progress as their cars are built.

"The cars really will be very, very special. We are going to build about four a week. And we will only build them to order. We don't have a sales plan as such.

"We will hand-build these cars. They will come from Holden as a GTS and then we will completely hand-build them. There will be no automated production in terms of assembly.

"Customers will have a unique opportunity to get close to their cars. That could mean a webcam for live updates or they can come and watch."

Grant says HSV has been looking at a 7-litre engine for more than a year, tapping into the American pipeline that has provided engineering support, and will eventually ship complete engines to Australia.

"We're always looking at powertrains. We've been searching for years for a halo product that says what the brand is about."

But is the W427 appropriate for 2008?

"The answer to that is from an HSV brand point of view, and not just this car. We are a niche company and we appeal to people who appreciate our sort of cars," Grant says.

"On a small, limited basis I think the W427 is appropriate for our company and our customers."

Wasn't the HSV VL SS Group A known more as the Walkinshaw or Walky instead of the batmobile, correct me if i'm wrong...

[clutch-monkey]

Originally Posted by fordman6

Well the FG F6 could already be on the W427's heels with the same[-ish] 5.0 sec 0-100km/h and with the F6 more than likely 660nm (in overboost - most of the drive) it'll have more torque (already)!!!

um..no. it's 1/2 the price for a reason

Originally Posted by P4g4nite

A straightforward crate engine install?


Commodore + LS7=$1250000? perhaps.. if you really, really love HSV. I'm sure a competent workshop could install a crate LS7 into an existing SS for a sight less.
Not to mention supercharging or turbocharging that little old 6.0L would net you similar output ..with enough change for a deposit on a house.

doesn't the CSV 427 cost close to a $125k..and they just use a standard GTS.

[SlickHolden]

After seeing the Coupe-60 i forgot about thsi 7lt HSV... that's ****en insain!!!!!!!!!!

[P4g4nite]

Originally Posted by clutch monkey

doesn't the CSV 427 cost close to a $125k..and they just use a standard GTS.

Hell if I know, are they going to sell them or did they just build one?