After a shipload of speculation, enthusiasm, and excitement, Holden’s performance arm, HSV, has finally revealed the 2017 HSV range, including the much-rumoured GTSR W1 hero car. These are the last locally-made HSVs to hit the market.
Starting with the beastliest of them all. The 2017 GTSR W1 is, as expected, the range-topper and the most powerful production car ever made in Australia. Power comes from a Chevrolet LS9 6.2-litre supercharged V8 belting out a monstrous 474kW and 815Nm.
HSV rarely speaks of claimed 0-100km/h times, but we’d be guessing a time of around 4.0 seconds, given we have covered the sprint in 4.45 seconds in the outgoing GEN-F2 430kW version with the manual transmission.
The W1 – a hat-tip to Walkinshaw – is a strict limited edition, with production capped to 300 units, starting in April and ending in September. It’s the raciest of them all, coming equipped with high-performance AP Racing brakes with discs measuring 410mm on the front and 372mm on the back, wrapped in 20×9.0-inch front and 20×10-inch rear alloy wheels. Tyres are Pirelli P-Zero measuring 265/35 on the front and 295/30 on the back.
Handling comes thanks to a bespoke racing-like suspension setup provided by Supashock, similar to what is seen in V8 Supercars. It doesn’t utilise Magnetic Ride technology like other models. Instead, it offers a lower ride height than all other models and it is stiffer, for even better handling on the track.
For the exterior, the GTSR W1 gets a unique bodykit with various carbon fibre trimmings, unique bonnet vents, diamond-shaped exhaust tips, and of course W1 badges. The wheel arches are also pumped out, like in the ‘regular’ GTSR models.
Sitting just below the W1 is the GTSR, also available in Maloo ute form. These come with a tweaked version of the outgoing LSA engine found in the GTS, with power lifted from 430kW to 435kW via a K&N air filter. Torque remains at 740Nm. Buyers receive the same eye-popping brakes as the W1, only it misses out on the Supershock suspension. Like other HSVs, the GTSR sedan comes with the Magnetic Ride Control suspension – GTSR Maloo comes with signal-mode suspension.
The GTSR models also come with the same size 20-inch alloy wheels as the W1, only they are wrapped in narrower 255/35 front and 275/35 rear Continental 5P tyres. Production is limited to 670 Maloo versions and 1300 sedans.
As for the other models in the 2017 range, the LSA-equipped Clubsport R8 and Maloo R8 receive a mild power upgrade, lifting the numbers to 410kW and 691Nm (from 400kW). These also get torque-vectoring technology and a revised bi-modal exhaust setup for a nicer bark.
All 2017 models come with a spruced up interior, with the GTSR getting new diamond-quilted Alcantara bucket seats, with GTSR and W1 logos for each, with custom ID plates, floor mats, and an updated steering wheel and gear level also packed in.
See below for the 2017 HSV range starting prices (excluding on-road costs). All models come with a five-year/105,000km warranty.
2017 HSV Maloo R8 LSA – $79,990
2017 HSV ClubSport R8 LSA – $82,990
2017 HSV ClubSport R8 Tourer LSA (auto only) – $88,990
2017 HSV Senator Signature – $95,990
2017 HSV GTS – $98,990
2017 HSV GTSR Maloo – $96,990
2017 HSV GTSR – $109,490
2017 HSV GTSR W1 (manual only) – $169,990
