Holden HSV unintentionally uncovered
Embargos don't seem to be working the way they used to. Traditionally, buff-books would get pictures and details about a particular vehicle sometimes months ahead of it launch, ensuring that specific articles would find themselves printed in specific publications at specific times. The newest member to join the ranks of the outted is the new Holden Commodore HSV.The HSV is the high-po sibling to the Commodore SS-V, available down under, and the revisions at this point may be limited to what you can gather from the photos, specifically the "look-at-me" body kit and the plus-one or plus-two wheel upgrades.
One substantial improvement may be the addition of the MagnaRide active suspension system found on the Ferrari 599 and various GM models, but that, along with engine displacement, transmission options and other details are all conjecture.
Since the embargo was only to last through this coming Monday, August 21st, expect to see more details next week.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Blake Currall 10:12AM (8/18/2006)
The MagnaRide suspension will be available as an option on the GTS model with the range boasting a 307kW LS2 V8 from the Corvette. Also, the rear end gets a diffuser also very similar to the F430
just a shame it looks rubbish in white
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Kowell 10:16AM (8/18/2006)
One word... NEAT!
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BOB 10:18AM (8/18/2006)
A Pontiac might be in there, if GM has engineered the platform to be built in US factories, and spends the development cost on styling and interiors that make it feel American.
The trick is that the "boy racer" look and the "generic Euro/Jappo look" are apparently OK at a higher price range in Australia, but not here.
Remember when THEY got OUR cast-off models, or slight variations?
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Dm 10:25AM (8/18/2006)
Not all to inspiring.
Looks like a plain old GTO with some BMW cladding.
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Sebastian S. 10:29AM (8/18/2006)
This vehicle is so much cooler than anything GM has done here in the States. Why don't the just bring the Holden vehicles here under the Holden name. I would think that will serve better than throwing a pontiac name on them.
The Holden name/brand image is not tarnished like most current GM models are now. Those will really sale here in the US. The styling is a little conservative, but its sporty looking and still better than what GM is producing now. All they have to do is alter the steering to leftside and they'll be good to go.
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sirAQUAMAN64 10:40AM (8/18/2006)
That thing is beyond HOT!
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Supercujo 10:49AM (8/18/2006)
BOB:
I look at the rest of the Pontiac sedan range and I think the Commodore easily bests the look of them. At least it has some decent proportions. The Grand Prix has a huge overhang out the back. It looks crap.
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Nick 10:55AM (8/18/2006)
HSV=Holden Special vehicle
HSV is like AMG is to Merc.
There is no "HSV" car, it's a "HSV E-series" there are many many cars with the HSV label :)
Looks nice though, I wonder if they will come out with a coupe and bring it over as the next GTO? :D My guess is no.
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Blake Currall 11:01AM (8/18/2006)
nope, the newxt coupe if it comes along will be based on the new Camaro apparently. thats the word we're getting down here in Australia anyway
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mk 11:05AM (8/18/2006)
Damn! That is hot. refine the tail light edges a bit, and paint the fog light pockets in... otherwise it is smokin. (leave the front and rear air dams black. that is cool)
Say what you will, but the way expensive american 4-door cars look, I would take this ANY DAY over those. Personally, I don't think of it as Japanese or European looking, but just really sporty looking. I don't think it will have much trouble if it comes to the US, as long as it doesn't have the baggage of the GTO name without the GTO look. The Monaro-based GTO should have been called Tempest, or something else. GTO has a VERY big shoe to fill in terms of market presence.
Drive.com.au or whatever the images in this blog article link to, claim this car to likely be a "club sport" model, and probably more basic and harder edged than the street version of the HSV car, which is in turn harder than the SS-V mainstream model. I wish more companies had such variation.
People like BOB can claim it won't sell at higher price ranges. It depends. This isn't a Pontiac Bonneville, or Buick. This is a sport sedan, and needs to look the part. And it does, like no other GM product has in a long time, if ever.
The Sport Sedan is a european invention, and the Japanese brought it to a more affordable price point. So far American companies have not offered much for performance oriented drivers who need to bring along more than one other person in their car. (and don't claim FWD cars... FWD sucks for performance.)
I welcome the US manufacturers into the sport sedan market. I want a sport sedan, and so far, I have been looking elsewhere. If they bring the Commodore SS-V or HSV variations over as Pontiacs, offer them with manual transmissions, not just autos, and don't dilute them from their original form, they will likely have something very good in the Pontiac showrooms. Something Chrysler (Charger has no manual trans, and too heavy) and Ford (________) don't have yet, either.
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Scarlett O'Hara 11:16AM (8/18/2006)
I want a green one Mammy, I want a green one, just the color of Mama's portieres.....
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Jeff 1:05PM (8/18/2006)
Hot? Cool? I just don't get it. It looks like any other generic jellybean shaped sedan that somebody stuck a huge ricer wing on the back. I bet it will be shipped complete with a coffee can muffler. I just don't get the "it's so hot" comments. I do hope you all were saying that in jest...
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Fazzster 1:20PM (8/18/2006)
Looks like the upcoming EVO.....
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DrBrian 1:37PM (8/18/2006)
is the 'magnaride' system used on this EXACTLY the same as the suspension system of the 599 or are they similar, like the rubber in my econobox tyres is similar to the rubber used in an F1 car tyres?
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TheOne442 2:07PM (8/18/2006)
"The Sport Sedan is a european invention, and the Japanese brought it to a more affordable price point. So far American companies have not offered much for performance oriented drivers who need to bring along more than one other person in their car."-mk
What about the Licoln LS?
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doglet 2:42PM (8/18/2006)
this car is hot
"is the 'magnaride' system used on this EXACTLY the same as the suspension system of the 599 or are they similar"
the shocks are the exact same unit with different valve settings, the rest of the suspension (control arms, steering rack ect.) are completly different.
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Wildcat0695 3:10PM (8/18/2006)
Nice factory ride.
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Cheezedog420 3:45PM (8/18/2006)
I don't want to sound like I hate it, infact I really do want to like the Commodore serries, but Its not exsactly what I need or want.
I like the fact it is a souped up 4 door with a vary powerful motor that is ballanced to the needs of the chassie. I like the fact its going to have a 6 speed manual gear box, and a super advanced suspention system. Furthermore, I always like the Holden styal, so what I see here is not bad, (if a little flamboyent for my tastes. And as far as big cars go, it don't get much better then the Commodore from what I hear...
But that is the problem. It is a big car, and quite frankly I don't need something so big. Im concerned with the volital gas market, I rairly have passengers to worry about, and my idea of hauling a big load is to take my computer to a LAN party. (And I can get most my computer into the front passanger seat.)
Now, Im not one to deprive any man of there pleasure... So Im not going to say "don't bring it because I won't buy it." Because the truth is, if I was rich or a famialy man, this ride would be on my wishlist then. But till then, I need something much smaller, and easyer on the gas.
How about bringing the Astra Turbo to the states? Add AWD to that little thing and you got yourself a WRX killer, and Im sold.
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mk 6:32PM (8/18/2006)
To the lincoln LS comment.
I've never seen a Lincoln LS that looks like this Holden.
Ford could have had a sport sedan, instead it has a half-hearted attempt. It was more geared toward luxury from the beginning, with more of an upright look, not a raked back sporty look. The killer is that it had RWD and A V8 engine, but the manual was not available with it, only the V6. It was not a performance car, it was a luxury car that didn't wallow as much.
The CTS-V and STS-V are getting closer, but this Holden looks better than the CTS-V, and will likely be more dynamic, and less expensive than the STS-V.
A Mid-size RWD or AWD Sport Sedan isn't going to appeal to everyone, but it sure appeals to some, who could really use moderate space, and don't want to give up performance. There are smaller cars that are more nimble, and there are larger vehicles that are slower, but more practical. To each their own, but this Holden is right up my alley, if they would just offer it here for an appropriate price, and not handicapped by the GM US corporate bureaucrats.
Magneride suspension, BTW uses magnetic fluid (iron suspended in a fluid solution) that electromagnetically changes viscosity, and thus damping rates in the shocks, rather than relying solely on valving. It isn't a particularly diverse application, so Corvette, Ferrari, Holden, Caddy, Prodrive, or anyone else who is using it, is using it in much the same way, with proprietary "tuning" of course, but the system hardware is mostly the same.
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gwballin 6:56PM (8/18/2006)
I really like this car and would like to see it as an option in the growing performance sedan segment. Then again, I have no taste, as I bought one of those GTOs that no one likes, lol.
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