Filed under: Sedans/Saloons, Sports/GTs, Australia, HSV
Rumormill: Flagship HSV GTSR to get LS9 V8?
Since last summer, rumors have swirled in Australia regarding a potential "flagship" HSV GTSR. The original scuttlebutt had GM's Aussie performance division dropping the Corvette Z06's LS7 V8 into one of its fully-tricked, Commodore-based sedans. That never panned out. In the interim, we've seen the introduction of the blown, 620-horsepower, 6.2-liter LS9 V8 in the Corvette ZR1, as well as its less-caffeinated brother, the 550-horsepower LSA, in the Cadillac CTS-V. As such, the time is nigh to commence Round 2 of the HSV GTSR rumormongering. Australia's Motor magazine (no website? come on, guys) steps up to the plate with its March 2008 issue cover shot, a Photoshop of an HSV sedan sporting the ZR1's hood window, with a claim that the LS9 is headed Down Under. Whether the rumor's even remotely valid is anyone's guess, and it's likely to go on for months. You see, something like the mythical GTSR would be a pretty major reveal, worthy of a big stage like the Sydney Motor Show. That doesn't take place until October, so there's plenty of time for this one to get whipped into a frenzy. Thanks to Autoblog (and Motor mag) reader Zayed B. for the photo! UPDATE: I'm reminded in the comments that the Melbourne Motor Show is less than three weeks away, so perhaps we'll get more word on whether there's a Super HSV in the works sooner rather than later.
[Source: Motor]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
lvdave 4:14PM (2/09/2008)
That's a lot of letters.
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race1foru 4:15PM (2/09/2008)
GM, if you're listening, please stick the LS7 in the G8 and price it around 42k. you would have a definite winner.
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2004m3driver 4:57PM (2/09/2008)
Funny how they Pchopped that blue super charger cover right off the ZR1.
Andrew 5:04PM (2/09/2008)
But.....why?
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Mke 5:47PM (2/09/2008)
Don't they think that will be a HUGE minus for anyone considering the $100,000 Corvette? I wouldn't want a $100,000 car that shares an engine with something that looks like that. After all, it's a big enough stretch that I'm paying $100,000 for a Chevy!
Keep it in that hot Corvette... Where it should be, GM!
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TriShield 5:50PM (2/09/2008)
The Corvette isn't sold in Australia, Holden and HSV-tuned Holdens solely carry GM's performance banner in the land Down Under.
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Mke 5:53PM (2/09/2008)
@TriShield
That clears things up. They better get rid of that hood cover though, it's a huge deterrent for US ZR1 buyers. Although, now that I look at that, it looks like an awful Photoshop job.
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Phil Taylor 6:18PM (2/09/2008)
The Sydney motorshow isn't the only game in town. The Melbourne Motorshow is on in 2 weeks and has the reveal of the new Falcon. Holden have already said that they have a major concept car to reveal (this car wouldn't be it) and HSV have been hinting at something for the show for some time.
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CEMan 6:24PM (2/09/2008)
If it had a BBQ and it goes PDQ that would make it a BMF!
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chris 6:30PM (2/09/2008)
Yeah, if this thing is going to be revealed this year, it'll be at Melbourne. Like Phil Taylor said, Holden are going to show something to take as much attention away from the new Ford Falcon as possible, and it's more likely that Sydney will have the debut of a facelifted VE Commodore Series II, and a production version of the HSV wagon.
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mk 8:18PM (2/10/2008)
That is kinda funny..
Australia is about to be getting facelifted Commodores already, and the US has yet to see a G8, much less a Camaro on GM dealer lots...
Good for Holden, Bad for GM-NA They need to step it up a bit.
TeamSpeedy 6:50PM (2/09/2008)
more pics here
http://www.ls1.com.au/forum/showpost.php?p=1141924&postcount=8
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stirlo 7:10PM (2/09/2008)
their website used to be motormag.com.au , but i think that just diverts to their publisher :-(
I hope this isn't a rumour, would love to see a crazy new HSV driving around!
Have that issue sitting on my loungeroom coffee table right now, will have to look into it.
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aman 10:18PM (2/09/2008)
Not gonna happen. Maybe an LS3, but definetely not an LS9.
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DIRETTORE 7:00PM (2/10/2008)
* I have to agree with you guys. Why be in such a hurry to dilute the satus & image of the LS9 from the ZR1 by allocating it to everyone & their grandmother?
It should find a well deserved home in the Camaro. I mean hey, cmon, its lil bro, hes been waiting > 10 years now
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