Sources within Holden Special Vehicles have hinted to Fairfax media that the 2016 HSV GTS series II is set for a power increase, coinciding with the VF Commodore series 2 launch later this year.
This is in line with the SS expected to receive the 6.2-litre engine from the export-spec Chevrolet SS, resulting in a power rise from 270kW to over 300kW, to make it more competitive with Ford’s supercharged XR8.
Visual updates, including bonnet vents and revisions to the rear end of wagon and utes (which were overlooked for the VF update) are also mooted for the series 2 VF.
The current GTS comes with a 6.2-litre supercharged V8 engine producing 430kW and 740Nm, making it the most powerful car currently made in Australia. Fairfax’s source said:
“We are still looking to see what can be done with the GTS. You get a bunch of revhead engineers together in one room and that’s what happens. You can be assured that they’re working on something.”
Given the Gen-F series II will be the last performance models based on the locally-assembled Commodore, there’s every possibility HSV will move mountains to ensure its swansong dips well into or even below the 4.0-second mark for 0-100km/h.
Yep, and just include the lovely smooth quick shifting corvette 8-speed auto with that HSV and we’ll be talkin’. That would truly be a GTS with which to make a final statement. Would also have to be good for another full second off the 0-100 sprint and a flat 12sec or less over the quarter. They’ve only got one more chance to make a statement with this car, GTS is selling heaps so please HSV make it count with 500kws, 800nm+ torque AND the 8-speed. Add a bit to the price – who’d be the loser? Nobody! My pick of those 3 improvement would def be the 8-speed. Extra power can come easily from Walkinshaw as they’ve beautifully demonstrated. But how handy to have it all on the showroom floor!
give it 530Kw to top of the Dodge charger hellcat as the most powerful sedan in the world (except this has the handling to match, corvette 8 speed (id love to see a transaxle if possible) short ratios early for better acceleration, carbon roof, carbon drive shaft and carbon brakes as options.
Put it on a diet, kill as much weight as and possible and get the Center of Gravity as low as possible (50:50 distribution would be nice also), slightly stiffer suspension as well, Aero tweaks also, maybe a V8 super car style spoiler (could look silly) also bonnet vents to allow the excess heat to escape from the added power.
A set of leather Recaro seats would be nice also.
Send the GTS out in style make a GTS-R, and make it the ultimate expression of how good a car HSV could make.
GTS-R, I believe GTS already has 50/50 weight distribution. From memory it was a hallmark of the clean sheet design that arrived with VE in 2006. Yes, you are correct – a big wing would indeed look silly. The bonnet vents are a certainty as spy shots already show. I think the 530Kws would be an absolute wonderful send-off and would gel beautifully against the Charger’s output. Walkinshaw, who (I think) owns HSV could easily fix GTS up with the existing 507Kw package which also gives 800NM+ torque. They are currently working on the next upgrade package with an undisclosed power rating. The cream on the cake would, though, be that techno-wunda 8-speed auto tranny which could shave a good second off the 0-100 time. Wouldn’t t be wonderful!!