Holden HSV features Corvette-type V8

By ALASTAIR SLOANE

A cynic might think there was something contrived about the coincidence of Holden showing off its latest whizbang HSV model just as spy photos and details of the next Commodore leaked out of Australia.

But the carmaker says it isn't trying to blur interest in the new Commodore by turning heads towards the heavily muscled 300i GTS, the most powerful model Holden Special Vehicles has built.

It just happened that way. Anyway, it said, it didn't want to talk about the Commodore - production schedules were not even in place, nor were launch dates in Australia or New Zealand. So there.

The Herald understands that the Commodore, to be called the VX, will go on sale in Australia in October. Its launch in New Zealand is likely to be in January.

The fire-breathing 300i GTS is here now - although it costs nearly three times the price of a standard V6 Commodore and only 20 will be available, numbered 101 to 120 for New Zealand.

The GTS, like all current HSV models, is built on the Series II Commodore chassis, but its 5.7-litre V8 comes from the Callaway company on America's east coast. Callaway has developed V8 engines for Chevrolet Corvettes for years.

Each of the 20 New Zealand buyers will be invited to a driver training course to brush up on the skills needed to channel 300kW of power and 510Nm of torque through a six-speed manual gearbox, limited-slip differential and Hydratrak axle to the 18-inch rear wheels.

Those buyers who might slip up every now and again will be able to fall back on traction control and other electronic devices to stay on the straight and narrow. HSV's multilink rear suspension, exclusive to the GTS, will help here. So, too, will the cross-drilled disc brakes.

The exterior colours are limited to Phantom Black or Red Sting. Matching leather trim is available inside. Standard equipment includes climate air, electric this-and-that and a 10-stack CD. An electric sunroof and premium sound system is optional. What isn't optional on the VX Commodore early next year will be the grille and headlight assembly. But buyers will have three to choose from, something that Ford offered with the AU but has now moved away from.

The top-line Calais has a one-piece nose similar to the integrated grille-headlights of the Mitsubishi Magna, and the SS Commodore will have teardrop headlights. The front of the entry-level Executive model is still under wraps.

The VX facelift appears largely insignificant, with an extra curve here and there and changed numberplate treatment, badging and wheel covers. The VT has been such a success for Holden, why fool around with it? The big changes will come with the all-new VY Commodore in 2002.

The VX is expected to come with the same Series II V6 engine, but Holden has worked on improving the engine's harshness towards the top of the rev range. This will probably be the only significant mechanical change.

Visual changes to the VX are so minor that Holden only thinly disguised it during open-road testing in Australia.