Holden Special Vehicles, the Holden hot shop jointly owned by GM's Australian subsidiary and former F1 team owner Tom Walkinshaw, has launched its versions of the all-new, Zeta-based Holden Commodore. More powerful and more aggressively styled, the new HSV cars show how GM could put together performance versions of a rear-drive Impala or a Pontiac Grand Prix off the same architecture.
Base engine across the HSV range is a 412-horse version of the 6.0-liter LS2 V-8 used in the Holden-based Pontiac GTO. Transmission choice is a Tremec T56 six-speed manual or GM's slick new 6L80E six-speed auto. Holden sources claim test mules have consistently run 0 to 60 in under 5.0 seconds. Standing quarter-mile times should be in the 12-second bracket.
Brakes are monster 14.3-inch discs up front and 13.7-inch units at the rear, with AP Racing calipers. The top of the range GTS shown here also gets 20-inch alloy wheels and adjustable Magnetic Ride Control shocks by Delphi, as used in the C6 Corvette and the Cadillac STS-v.
Apart from the usual wheels and wings, the visual changes over the standard Holden Commodores include unique front fenders with a prominent side vent and new taillamps. Inside are sports seats and extra gauges--voltage, oil temperature, and oil pressure.
Now, here's the best bit: HSV sources haven't ruled out building a limited-run model powered by the 7.0-liter, 502-horse LS7 from the Corvette Z06. Yeah, it fits, and a car could appear at the Sydney motor show in October of next year. A 502-horsepower four-door sedan? Now that's what we call a musclecar.