We know Ford is planning to introduce XR6 and potentially XR8 Sprint special editions, and now it looks like the rivals from Holden’s HSV arm could be planning a GTS-R last hurrah.
General Motors has filed a trademark for the GTSR name. Records of the trademark application can be found on the ipaustralia government website, where it shows the trademark applies to car badges and merchandise.
While this is hardly confirmation that a new GTSR is on the way, it certainly stands as a good sign. As we know the Holden Commodore will go out of production by 2017, leaving HSV with no large sedan to build upon.
According to rumours a new GTSR could be on the way as a final edition for the iconic GTS nameplate. It is expected to be a strict limited edition model, featuring unique accessories and exterior trimmings, as well as a boosted engine.
Our guess is HSV isn’t going to have the money to spend on extensive engineering, and will likely stick with the existing LSA 6.2-litre supercharged V8. Given that some light tuning can take the factory 430kW output to near-500kW quite easily, we’d be predicting an output somewhere within this range for a new GTSR/GTS-R.
Those who know their performance Holdens will remember the GTS-R from 1995-1996. It was based on the VS Commodore, HSV GTS, featuring a 5.7-litre naturally aspirated V8. Output stood at 215kW for most examples, with some receiving further tuning from factory. Just 85 were made.
The trademark application was filed on December 2, which means an announcement should be on the way soon… if HSV is planning anything. Purely speculating, a Gen-F2 GTS-R would probably be priced at around the $120,000 mark. Back in the day, the VS GTS retailed for $67,123, while the GTS-R was $76,000.
if Uber drives this Ill get the ride
Great story Brett, thanks –
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HSV could make a wonderful GTSR edition by simply employing the existing very well engineered Walkinshaw WP507 upgrade kit. That thing’s had untold development man-hours and rates as a virtual ‘factory’ option even now. They could boost it to whatever makes good marketing (510,515+?) to differentiate it from the 507 kit that’s been around for over a year. Coming from Walkinshaw, the sister company of HSV, it would cost them next to nothing to create a GTSR. Price rise of $10 – $15k max, including some very light body work and/or styling. With a power output like this and a half decent visual differentiator it could fly out the doors.
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Of course, there’s always another way things could go. For well over a year now a new upgrade for the GTS has been mooted from Walkinshaw. When the WP507 kit was announced and tested through the various outlets, there were strong mumblings about a similar kit from Walky but with MUCH more. Nobody at all was saying how much and it remains a secret. In fact, the whole kit is so secret it seems to have disappeared off the radar. Here’s what I think: the new kit is ready to go and they have reserved it and it will make its debut on the GTSR with a power figure of somewhere between 510Kws/850nm and 560Kws/900nm+. Hell, I’m just guessing but we could see 580Kws and over 1000nm but that, of course, is unlikely. If anyone can run reliable increases to whatever number it is Walkinshaw.
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Think about it. HSV is going into a very foreign new world without V8s in 2 years. It needs to do it from a position of strength. It needs to make the GTS’s swansong TRULY memorable. If not then HSV will be taken for granted in any new endeavours. Think what it would mean to HSV to create such spectacularly powerful AND REFINED ‘Factory’ car. The 430Kws version wowed everyone in 2013. It is now old news and doesn’t raise anywhere near the eyebrows it used to. Something new is needed. 560Kws would do the trick. Even with Holden’s funny way of quoting power figures even a ‘Holden/HSV 560Kws would take a lot of beating. It is proven the GTS can take the extra huff through the break-proof driveline from America. It would be THE high note to be remembered for generations. The smart move. HSV is a smart company so get ready for something ‘special’. I don’t believe they’ll go down the MUCH more exxy LS9 route. That would only be for exclusivity – not a clever move. People know and love LSA.
Such a car would rate right up there in car legend land (for perhaps different reasons) with GTHO, A9X, E49 and SLR5000. Yep, different reasons but at least as special into the future.
I have no affiliations with HSV or Walkinshaw whatsoever.
I completely disagree. What would be so special about a GTS-R that would essentially be a GTS with a WP507 kit on it? Any mug could easily just buy a GTS and put the same kit on it.
No no no. The GTS-R should be running the LS9 over the LSA found in the GTS. Essentially a similar engine, but hand built with forged pistons, stronger internals, larger capacity blower, dry sumped (they’ve done this before with the W427). Etc Etc. Now that would be a special car. Then anything Tom, Dick or Harry down the road did to their GTS in terms of “kits” you could also do to the GTS-R and it would always be one step ahead because of the stronger engine that uses better parts and can be pushed even further.
GTS-R with an LSA is just a sticker special in my eyes and waste of time and energy. A GTS-R with an LS9 is definitely something special and worth every penny If you have the money.