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Thread: HSV W427: Australia's First Supercar?

  1. #1
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    HSV W427: Australia's First Supercar?

    The HSV W427, previewed back in March at the Melbourne Motor Show, has been officially released and the latest issue of Wheels magazine (August 2008) has the first drive story.
    The magazine goes as far as to call the car "Australia's First Supercar". Their reasoning? "with its attitude, vast performance, that intimidation factor, and a dose of heritage (surely 60 years of Holden and 20 of HSV count for something?), the W427 can claim to be Australia's first supercar."

    But, is the W427 really a supercar? Well, first it has four doors, whereas every other car regarded as a supercar is a 2-door. Second, its top speed is limited to 250km/h, whereas any other supercar will see 300km/h plus. Third, it is well over a second slower than the Ferrari F430 to 100km/h - and its debatable whether a F430 is a supercar.
    If the W427 can be called a supercar, than older Australian cars like the Bolwell Nagari or the Giacottolo can also lay claim to the title of "supercar".
    What the W427 is, is the quickest ever Australian production car, taking the title of Ford's Falcon FG XR6T/FPV Falcon FG F6 which held the title for just a month or so. Without the top speed limiter, there is little doubt it would also be the fastest ever Australian production car.
    And I have little doubt the W427 will appreciate very quickly in value due to its rarity and the fact that it is unlikely HSV or Ford will produce anything quicker for some time.

    For now, I personally feel the W427 is due big respect for the numbers it has achieved. However, considering its closest Australian rival achieves 0-100km/h times within half a second with 3000cc less and at less than half the price, it is a costly way to get the performance. Also, until I see a W427 lap the Top Gear track in a time that rivals the Nissan GT-R, I'm not sure that it can be truly mentioned in the same breath as genuine supercars. I do think it warrants comparison with Europes fastest sports sedans however, including such cars as the BMW M5, Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG and Audi RS6.

    So, what do others think? Can the W427 be called a supercar, or is Wheels merely trying to sell magazines via a catchy, if inaccurate, cover headline?


    For the sake of argument, here's some numbers (all except the GT-Rs times come from Wheels magazine for consistency).
    HSV W427: $155,500, 0-100 4.7s, 0-400m 12.8s.
    BMW M3: $157,000, 0-100 4.8s, 0-400m 13.3s.
    Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG, $139,500, 0-100 - 4.8s, 0-400m 13.0s.
    Porsche 911 Carrera, $201,000, 0-100 4.9 secs, 0-400m 13.2s
    Nissan GT-R, $150,000 est, 0-100 3.5 secs, 0-400m 11.7s (est)

    And its two closest Australian rivals.
    FPV Falcon FG F6, $65,990, 0-100km/h 5.2s,0-400m 13.3s. Note times for the manual were slower.
    Ford Falcon FG XR6 Turbo, $46,990, 0-100km/h 5.2s, 0-400m 13.4s.

    Also see: Wheels - August 2008 - at some point in the next few weeks they will provide the article online.
    Last edited by motorsportnerd; 07-25-2008 at 09:48 PM.
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  2. #2
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    not a supercar. just a super saloon like an M5, only not as slow.
    needs a coupe and to lose wieght..
    Andreas Preuninger, Manager of Porsche High Performance Cars: "Grandmas can use paddles. They aren't challenging."

  3. #3
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    wow Now thats impressive I likeee.

    Definatly worth the buy!

  4. #4
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    Nowhere near a supercar, just a super-sedan in the current M5-RS6 mould.

    GT-R, F430 etc are even doubtful of being a supercar in the truer sense.
    I am the Stig

  5. #5
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    I wouldn't call the GT-R or F430 supercars either - despite their impressive capabilities.
    UCP's biggest Ford Sierra RS500 and BMW M3 E30 fan. My two favourite cars of all time.

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    HSV W427: $155,500, 0-100 4.7s, 0-400m 12.8s.

    FPV Falcon FG F6, $65,990, 0-100km/h 5.2s,0-400m 13.3s.
    I think its a fair bit overpriced for what it is, spend under 10 grand on the F6 and it would spank it big time. You would really have to love a HSV and a V8 to consider it..... Paging monaroCountry

    P.S Dont like the exterior or interior, I prefer the R8 spend 10 grand on that for a ASE turbo kit and 400rwkw.

    W427 = fail in my book, plenty of cashed up tradies will probably buy them though
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    The W427 is all kinds of want, but considering you can tune an F6 for heaps cheaper, computer says no.
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  8. #8
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    it's the blacked out square in the front bar that ruins the looks imo, maybe if it was all body coloured..

    ..or just get the CSV 427 and retain stock looks.
    Andreas Preuninger, Manager of Porsche High Performance Cars: "Grandmas can use paddles. They aren't challenging."

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    The F6 can do better than 5.2s and 13.3s as well, so its not really even a matter of $10K mods. Maybe just a new ECU tune.

    The W427 will probably have its advantage on the track.
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  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by fpv_gtho View Post
    The F6 can do better than 5.2s and 13.3s as well, so its not really even a matter of $10K mods. Maybe just a new ECU tune.

    The W427 will probably have its advantage on the track.
    You would certainly hope so but even a tune, better suspension and semi slicks and there wouldnt be a lot in it. If I had money to burn a W427 would be desirable for its exclusivity but common sense and a battered bank balance says F6 or R8 with some suspension, engine, tyres and brake mods
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  11. #11
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    The CEO of FPV was recently interviewed on the likelyhood of a supercharged GT-HO 500hp variant .. I can't remember what the mrrp would be, it was either $90k or $110k?

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    Probably $110K just because they could get away with the extra $20K.
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  13. #13
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    Quote Originally Posted by motorsportnerd View Post
    But, is the W427 really a supercar?

    If the W427 can be called a supercar, than older Australian cars like the Bolwell Nagari or the Giacottolo can also lay claim to the title of "supercar".
    Thanks for remembering the little Giacattolo. I've seen times for it down to 12.9 secs, not bad for over 20 years ago. Apparently the Nagari was also available with 351 4V Clevelands, and one Nagari coupe was even factory-built with a Chrysler 392 Hemi!
    So, what do others think? Can the W427 be called a supercar, or is Wheels merely trying to sell magazines via a catchy, if inaccurate, cover headline?
    Personally I'm not too fussed by euro or yank definitions and exclusivities of what is or isn't a 'supercar' because we have our own, ta very much & thanks yawl. I mean it was 37 years ago that we saw newspaper headlines like this about Falcon sedans etc, so we are as entitled to the term, and perception thereof, as anyone else



    Is the W427 entitled to be referred to as a supercar within our (and 'Wheels') context? Most probably .. I guess .. and so thus too might FPV F6 etc. Is W427 our 1st supercar? Imo no

    These days its ironic to recall that what was once billed as 'the world's fastest 4-door' Phase 3 GT-HO with Bathurst gearing couldn't crack 15 secs to 100 mph (15.2)

  14. #14
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    It's Aussie Type Supercar.. Vegemite sandwich thongs sunscreen shorts and a dirty big Big Mac.

    If you want something complete, It's about as complete as you can buy Australian made,
    If you really want to make a supercar, You wouldn't buy one, You would start with a lower cheaper spec car.

    But if you want it factory, This is the car,
    I'm not for people boasting with 15k under there hoods of mods drive up next to this and bag it out, Remember, It's factory stock, Your isn't.

    20k into my Car, And I'd kill anything from Holden/Ford, But it wouldn't be something to boast about really.

    12k into a VE SV6, Capa Supercharger 440kw!. Supercar for $51,000.
    But, It's like the others are all about straight line, That thing W427 will do it all.

    If i had the money, I'd probably go to CSV and get them to do me a 400kw HSV. But that car wouldn't have the full polish of it.

    It's debatable, As Aussie cars go, It's a SuperCar, Or OzZilla, As world standards go it's not.
    "Just a matter of time i suppose"

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  15. #15
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    supercar = 180mph+ top speed and 0-60mph < 5 seconds within drunken reasoning
    "When I see an Alfa Romeo go by, I tip my hat." - Henry Ford

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