Holden Special Vehicles

Holden Special Vehicles (HSV) was the officially designated performance vehicle division for Holden. Established in 1987 and based in Clayton, Victoria, the privately owned company modified Holden models such as the standard wheelbase Commodore, long wheelbase Caprice and Statesman, and commercial Ute for domestic and export sale, all of which were imported from the main Holden Elizabeth Plant. HSV had also modified other non-Holden cars within the General Motors lineup in low volumes.

Vehicles produced by Holden Special Vehicles have generally been marketed under the HSV brand name. However, in the early years, some retailed under the Holden brand in Australia whereas most cars for export (other than in New Zealand and Singapore) retailed under different names (namely, Vauxhall and Chevrolet Special Vehicles).

History

In 1987 Holden and Tom Walkinshaw Racing established the joint venture Holden Special Vehicles (HSV). It replaced Holden Dealer Team (HDT), after Holden severed ties with it and Peter Brock due to the controversy surrounding the Energy Polarizer.[1][2]

The first car developed by HSV was the Holden VL Commodore SS Group A SV of 1988, which was badged and sold by Holden for Group A touring car racing homologation purposes. It went on to win the 1990 Bathurst 1000 race. The first car badged as a HSV was the SV88.

HSV initially used a facility in 1987 in Notting Hill, Victoria, later moving to one in Clayton previously owned by Nissan in 1994. In 2018 Walkinshaw Automotive Group, including HSV moved to another facility– also in Clayton.[3]

HSV ceased production of the Holden Caprice-based Grange in 2016.[4] Holden Commodore-based models ceased production in 2017.[5]

In mid-2018 HSV began converting (re-manufacturing) the Chevrolet Camaro 2SS coupe and Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD pickup truck from left-hand-drive to right-hand-drive to GM's factory standards. The vehicles were sold with a factory warranty via the existing HSV-Holden dealership network. It boosted job numbers from 130 to 150 staff in order to cope with production ramping up.[5]

On 18 August 2020 General Motors announced the closure of Holden Special Vehicles and its replacement by General Motors Specialty Vehicles (GMSV).[6] GMSV imports and distributes the Silverado in the Australasia region beginning in November 2020.[7][8]

Nameplates

The following is an alphabetical listing of the most notable and popular nameplates used by Holden Special Vehicles.

The HSV Avalanche is an all-wheel drive crossover SUV that was produced from 2003 to 2005. Based on the Holden Adventra LX8 crossover wagon, the Avalanche range also incorporated a dual-cab utility model known as the Avalanche XUV, derived from the Holden Crewman Cross8. The Avalanche has been built over the following series:

The HSV ClubSport or Clubsport is a full size sports sedan that has represented the brand's highest volume seller since its introduction in 1990. It was based on the mainstream Commodore range and has been the entry-level HSV model except between 1995 and 1998, when that role was filled by the Manta range. In 1999, HSV introduced a higher specification known as the "R8". The Clubsport has been built over the following series:

The HSV Coupé is a high performance grand tourer that was produced from 2001 to 2006. It was based on the Holden Monaro, the Coupé adaptation of the third generation Holden Commodore. Its standard model range included the GTO and GTS. In 2004, the GTS was discontinued and the all-wheel drive Coupé4 introduced. Limited edition models included the GTO LE (2003 and 2006) and GTO Signature (2006). The Coupé has been built over the following series:

The HSV Grange is a full size sedan and it was based on the luxury Holden Statesman and Caprice twins. The Grange has represented the HSV brand's most top-of-the-line, luxury offering to date. Since 1997, this nameplate has replaced both the HSV Statesman and Caprice models. The Grange has been built over the following series:

The HSV GTS is a full size high performance sedan that was based on the mainstream Commodore range. Excluding the special V6-engined editions sold in New Zealand in the VN and VP series, the proper and original V8-engined GTS was introduced in Australia in 1992 with the VP series. The GTS has represented the HSV brand's most powerful offering to date. With the exception of the Z Series, when it was not part of the range, the GTS has been built over the following series:

The HSV Maloo is a performance utility that has been produced since 1990 and was based on the Holden Ute. Its distinguishing features have been high-performance V8 engines and full body kits.[9] The name "Maloo" means "thunder" in an Aboriginal language. It is said that former HSV managing director, John Crennan, coined the name for the vehicle after reading a book on Aboriginal Australians.

In 2001, HSV introduced a higher "R8" specification. In June 2006, a regular production Z Series Maloo R8 broke the record for the world's fastest production performance pickup, at 271 km/h, (168 mph) beating the previous record holder, a Dodge Ram SRT-10 by 22 km/h.[10]

The Maloo has been built over the following series:

The most powerful and developed version was the Gen-F 430 kW GTS Maloo, which was launched in November 2014. It featured GTS sedan mechanicals except for the Magnetic Ride Control suspension setup that, due to limited development opportunities, HSV left exclusively for the GTS sedan, Senator Signature and Grange. This Maloo was originally limited to 165 units, later increased to 250 plus 10 for export to New Zealand.[11]

The HSV Manta is a full-size sports sedan, and wagon (VS series) that was first introduced in April 1995, Discontinued November 1998. It was established as the entry-level HSV model below the ClubSport, it was eventually dropped due to poor sales performance. The Manta was built over the following series:

The HSV Senator is a full size luxury sports sedan that was first introduced in 1992. It was based on the Holden Berlina and Calais twins. From 1997, HSV offered a wagon variant (based solely on the Berlina, since the Calais was never built in that body shape) and a higher specification model known as the "Senator Signature". The Senator has been built over the following series:

The HSV SV88 was the first car to bear the HSV badge and was designed to compete against HDT's luxury performance Director model car. The SV88 was launched in 1988 and based on the VL Series luxury Calais.

The HSV W427 was a limited edition flagship based on the E Series, which was released to celebrate the company's 20th anniversary in 2008. It was also a car produced to address the public disappointment caused by HSV canning its ambitious HRT 427 project previewed in 2002. It was powered by a 7011 cc LS7 V8 engine rated at 375 kW at 6500 rpm and 640 Nm at 5000 rpm of torque.[12]

The XU6 was a supercharged V6 model, it was an entry-level model in the HSV range, produced from 1998 to 2002.

• Avalanche

• VY (2003–2005)
• VZ (2005)

• ClubSport

• VN (1990–1991)
• VP (1991–1993)
• VR (1993–1995)
• VS (1995–1997)
• VT (1997–2000)
• VX (2000–2002)
• VY (2002–2004)
• VZ (2004–2006)
• VE (2006–2013)
• VF (2013–2017)

• Coupé

• V2 (2001–2002)
• V2 II (2002–2004)
• VZ (2004–2006)

• Grange

• VS (1997–1999)
• WH (1999–2003)
• WK (2003–2004)
• WL (2004–2006)
• WM (2006–2013)
• WN (2013–2016)

• GTS

• In 1990, HSV built special V6-engined GTS models for New Zealand in the VN and VP series.
• VP (1991–1993)
• VR (1993–1995)
• VS (1995–1997)
• VT (1997–2000)
• VX (2000–2002)
• VY (2002–2004)
• VE (2006–2013)
• VF (2013–2017)

• Maloo

• VG (1990–1991)
• VP (1991–1993)
• VR (1993–1995)
• VS (1995–2000)
• VU (2000–2002)
• VY (2002–2004)
• VZ (2004–2007)
• VE (2007–2013)
• VF (2013–2017)

• Manta

• VS (1995–1997)
• VT (1997–1998)

• Senator

• VP (1992–1993)
• VR (1993–1995)
• VS (1995–1997)
• VT (1997–2000)
• VX (2000–2002)
• VY (2002–2004)
• VZ (2004–2006)
• VE (2006–2013)
• VF (2013–2017)

• SV88

• SV91
• VP (1991–1992)

• W427

• XU6

• VT (1998–2000)
• VX (2000–2002)

Holden-based models by series

Other models

HSV made non-Commodore based models since 1988.[57]

Production milestones

In 2014, HSV reported the following production milestones:[65][5]

• June 1991: 5,000th HSV built was a SV T-30
• April 1997: 20,000th HSV built was a Senator
• August 2003: 40,000th HSV built was a ClubSport
• July 2006: 50,000th HSV built was a ClubSport
• February 2013: 75,000th HSV built was a ClubSport
• September 2014: 80,000th HSV built was a ClubSport R8 in Phantom Black paint
• December 2017: 90,000th HSV built

Exports

HSV exported its range to New Zealand without any rebranding, as in the case of Singapore, where exports resumed in 2010 after a two-decade absence.[66] HSV was rebadged elsewhere, starting in 2006 in the United Kingdom (with the Vauxhall Monaro VXR),[67] and 2008 in the Middle East with the CSV CR8.[68]

Concept cars

The VN Convertible was based on the VN Berlina, built in 1989. It was converted from a sedan to convertible by Maverick Motors. The wheelbase was shortened, the front doors were lengthened, added independent rear suspension and a GM TH400 automatic gearbox and 5.0-litre V8.[70][71][57]

The HRT Maloo concept had a 6.2-litre LS6 engine producing 350 kW tuned by Callaway Cars, adding a wider bodykit and 20-inch wheels.[72]

The Maloo Cab Chassis concept was powered by a LS1 producing 260 kW, it was a cab chassis model based on the Holden One Tonner. It was shown at the 2003 Melbourne Motor Show.[73]

The HRT 427 concept was based on a modified Holden Monaro bodyshell and, among other things, it featured a 427 in3 V8 engine based on the LS6 V8, but with capacity taken from 5665 cc to 7000 cc – hence the name. Due to the high cost specifications, the business case for full production failed since Holden could not build the 427 in such limited quantities for the original asking price of A$215,000. Only two road and three racing versions were ever built.[74]

The project was done at the same time that the Holden Monaro 427C GT racing car that raced in (and won) the 2002 Bathurst 24 Hour (repeating victory in 2003) and then raced in the Australian Nations Cup Championship. Effectively, the HRT 427 was supposed to be the road car variant to the racing 427C Monaro's.[74]

This concept was unveiled at the 2004 Sydney Motor Show also based on the Monaro bodyshell. Similarities could be drawn with the HRT 427, however, this model was only intended for a one-make racing series and was powered by a modified 6.0-litre version of Chevrolet's LS2 V8 engine producing 335 kW. This concept, too, never reached production.[75]

• VN Convertible

• HRT Maloo

• Maloo Cab Chassis

• HRT 427

• GTS-R

V8 Supercars

In 2005, HSV provided sponsorship for the V8 Supercar team then-called the Kmart Dealer Team. The team adopted HSV Dealer Team as their new name.[14] Holden opposed the idea, fearing that it would undermine Holden Racing Team's link with HSV.[76]

Rivals

HSV's direct rival was Ford Australia through its various performance arms, namely Ford Tickford Experience (FTE) from 1999, and Ford Performance Vehicles (FPV) from 2002 to 2014, with their production of modified Ford Falcon-based cars. Another rival, albeit on a smaller scale,[77] has been Corsa Specialised Vehicles (CSV) with its Commodore-based high performance cars that included the CSV GTS of 2007. CSV beat the HSV W427 to the market by being the first Holden vehicle powered by a 7.0L LS7 V8 engine.[78]

See also

• List of HSV vehicles

External links

• HSV Website
• The HSV Classic Programme
• Worldwide HSV Owners Forum