Holden HSV W427 Finally Goes on Sale
HSV. You know what it stands for. Not just Holden Special Vehicles, but what it truly stands for, the stance behind the badge. Bravado is one. Value for money is another. Most importantly, it’s muscle. True Australian outback beef squeezed into a box on four wheels. In keeping with this macho image, HSV has finally put out the MY2008 W427 into dealerships, a lesson in what engineering steroids can do to a sweet, Ausie rules-loving bloke.
With that said, we can now cut through the grass and hit some serious manure. The W427 features 7.0-litres of muscle broth sourced from US sister brand Corvette, which allows for power to escape through the rear wheels in doses of 375kW at a time, depending on the engine speed of course. The limited slip diff ensures very little smoke is added to the show during enthusiastic (what other kind is there?) takeoff, from one green traffic light to the next. The high-strength 6-speed manual gearbox plays the starring role in all this, planting maximum torque of 640Nm.
Manic as it sounds, the W427 – of which only 427 will be made – is a serious dad’s car, funked up with all kinds of comfort sweet things to make the missus smile while scaring the kids at the back all the way to the village of Tyre Shred. A 6-CD/ MP3 player is in there, so is an overhead DVD unit for them little ones to help stop them shaking in their little boots. Bluetooth is optional, as is satellite navigation. The list is long and impressive. If you are lucky enough to live close to Australia and aren’t owning one of the 90 cars already allocated for 2008 at AD155,500 then get right on it. We expect quick sales.
My guess it will be a hoot to drive.
alarrosa87 quality is not too shabby either and the chassis will be more entertaining than the hordes of whitegoods on wheels they may be built well, but prove dangerous to drive. Many have fallen asleep at the wheel of one:-)
Still it sits smack bang in M3 money here in Aus and I'd rather put my money into the Bimmer.
if you are comapring the interior quality to other euro cars in this price range then the interior quality isnt really up to scratch... personally i feel that the intrior is alot more plasticy and it feels it, like the nobs and stuff dont have a quality feel to them wich thy really should...
lol but there's too many settings in a BMW, feels like you need a PhD just to look at it. Personally though, i reckon this car looks awesome, real head turner.
@Babymilo, i don't think i'd care about the cheap plastic feel of the volume knob while going sideways around a corner at like 80km/hr. This isn't a european car lol, it's more fun than one at that price (in Aus).
Pontiac G8 on steroids perhaps ... Pontiac buyers may dream of getting hold of one of these beasties but there won't be any sneaking onto the boatloads of G8GT's heading your way from down under cos HSV are not building any in LHD ... we're keeping the best for ourselves *wink*
dig this: GM Performance Parts =)
one can only hope for that mean body kit though!!
...wasnt this designed in victoria? as in isnt the G8 just a rebadge with minor alterations?
Dude, you guys really need to wake up and realise that the G8 is a re-badged Holden Commodore. The same goes for the Pontiac GTO thats just gone, that was the Holden Monaro re-badged. The Vauxhaul VXR8 is a re-badged HSV (Holden Special Vehicles) Clubsport R8, and the older Vauxhaul VXR was the HSV GTO. In the Middle East too, the CSV R8 is the Clubbie R8 re-badged too. So although barely anyone realises it, our little creations have been around the world.
So spread the world to all your rev-head friends in the US, your nice little G8, is actually from Australia....:D
How do you spell 'bang for buck' in Australia? You can't justify buying a 7.0L car though, it would be sheer stupidity.
7.0-litres for only 375kW. Under power. Way too heavy. Anyway, it's a family sedan with a truck engine. Nothing special. Cost around AD155,500. I rather buy Porsche Cayenne twin turbo V8. Still kick this 7L HSV's ass!!
The displacement of the engine doesn't really matter. This engine only weighs 204kgs in comparison to the BMW V10 which weighs 240kgs. And the torque arrives much earlier, with the same amount of torque at 3500rpm as the peak torque in the BMW's V10. In the real world this engine is quicker. And assuming that you live in America, you guys have it easy, cars are dead cheap over there in comparison to Australia.
ADJ-117, do not forget about the Opel GT we got! We call em Saturn Sky and Pontiac Solstice. However, I think I like the Ponty Solstice more in the coupe design. Have not seen if Saturn is going to add a dome on their car.
Cheers to the Aussies for building such a beauty!
I'm not really liking that front end much. Both the G8 and VXR8 look better tham this.
"HSV. You know what it stands for. Not just Holden Special Vehicles, but..." what it really stands for is Herpes Simplex Virus. And that's what causes cold sores and genital herpes. Enjoy.
Yet another example of holden/HSV selling cars based on Power and Cubic Capacity alone....... quality is definately improving but still miles off where it should be