Australian Badass: HSV W427 unveiled in Melbourne
by Alex Nunez on Feb 28th 2008 at 8:00PM 
Click image for a hi-res gallery of the HSV W427
The modern American auto show circuit has turned into a series of venues at which automakers try to out-green or out-crossover each other, with the occasional fire-breather thrown in. Down in Australia, it's like the late 60s or early 70s, with a power-mad pissing contest between GM and Ford going full-tilt. We already saw Holden's killer flex-fuel muscle concept, the Coupe 60. Now it's time for the skunkworks to unveil its newest street missile. We previewed it this morning, but here it is in all its glory: the HSV W427. The "W" is a nod to Tom Walkinshaw, whose TWR crew joined up with Holden in 1988 to create the Group A VL SS Commodore, a homologation special that marked the birth of GM's Australian factory performance division, HSV.
The 427 represents the engine's size in cubic inches, as in GM LS7 V8 cubic inches. The Corvette Z06's heart has been transplanted into the VE Commodore's body, which has been substantially modified with a unique blackened fascia (you might also call it "ugly," or more diplomatically, "menacing"); updated aero bits all around; new 20" wheels; and an immeasurable amount of testosterone. That's what the LS7 brings to the party -- no blue pills required. Final power numbers aren't yet available, but HSV expects them to be in excess of 496 horses and 472 lb-ft. That should make the W427 the fastest Aussie street-legal supercar ever produced. All the good Corvette trickery is in play, too: magnetic ride control, big brakes, and the bi-modal exhaust system are among the hidden goodies that make it the ultimate super saloon. Quantities will be limited, but lucky owners will feel like every road is Bathurst.
HSV's press release is pasted after the jump.
Gallery: 2008 HSV W427
[Source: HSV]
PRESS RELEASE:
Holden Special Vehicles unveil seven litre Supercar the W427
29.02.2008
Holden Special Vehicles unveil seven litre Supercar the W427
Holden Special Vehicles today unveiled a seven litre program at the Melbourne Motor Show, the last instalment of the company s 20th anniversary celebrations.
The car to be known in its final development stages as the W427 is finished in the same Panorama Silver paint scheme as the original Group A SS VL Commodore, released at the Melbourne Motor Show of 1988, exactly 20 years ago.
HSV Managing Director, Scott Grant, said the W427 was a tribute to how far the company has come in just twenty years.
"To be able to produce a vehicle of these proportions is truly remarkable," Scott Grant said.
"The W427 will be quite possibly the fastest road registrable Supercar ever produced in Australia and among the quickest anywhere around the world," he said.
While power output figures are still to be confirmed, the W427 is likely to produce in excess of 370kW of power and 640NM of torque.
"It will also be one of the safest cars HSV has ever put on the road," Scott Grant said.
"A new six piston front braking system will provide a 50% increase in pad area, while the W427 also receives a revised ESP calibration, six air bags, improved handling and new Magnetic Ride Control settings."
The W427 receives a bimodal active exhaust system to improve noise quality and back pressure management.
Styling and design highlights include an all new front fascia, a three piece carbon fibre rear spoiler, 20 inch machined faced alloy wheel, unique exhaust tips and red leather interior.
Scott Grant said HSV would be introducing a unique customer relations program to accompany the launch of the new vehicle.
"The W427 will only be produced in limited numbers and we want to reflect that exclusivity in how we connect with our Supercar customers," Scott Grant said.
"This program will see the LS7 engine being fitted at Clayton, along with the dry sump system and a range of other engineering features. We are looking at opportunities to allow owners to visit HSV and view the unique manufacturing process that goes into building this car."
The W427 will go into production in the middle of the year and will be available for sale in dealerships in the third quarter of 2008.
"Make no mistake, while the specifications of the car unveiled on the stand today at the Motorshow may change slightly between now and when production begins, this car is destined to make as big an impact as the original Walkinshaw twenty years ago."
W427 key highlights*
Exterior
All new Front Fascia exclusive to W427
All new three piece rear spoiler in carbon fibre
All new 20 inch wheel
Interior
HSV performance seats in full red hot trim with W427 logo, steering wheel, gear shifter and console lid in full red hot leather
Powertrain
7.0 Litre, LS7 Engine with HSV specific calibration
o 370kW @ 6500 rpm
o 640Nm @ 5000 rpm
Over radiator style cold air induction system with high flow air filter
Dry sump lubrication system with 2 stage pump
Hand fabricated aluminium oil reservoir, with internal baffles for high G loading
Front mount, 13 row engine oil cooler
Ceramic coated, high flow four into one extractors
High flow catalytic converters and exhaust system (3 into 2 ¾ )
Active bi-modal rear mufflers for exhaust back pressure management to improve noise quality
High strength limited slip differential
New high strength six speed manual gear box (TR6060)
GMPT LS7 Clutch with new actuator and pedal assembly for high clamp loads
Suspension
New springs, 30% stiffer than GTS
Revised ride height 20mm lower than GTS
New stiffer rear suspension bushing
All new MRC calibration
Brakes
New 6 piston front braking system (50% increase in pad area)
Strap drive, 2 piece floating front rotors (380 x 35mm compared to 365 x
32mm one piece on GTS)
High friction pad material
* Specifications of W427 as at Melbourne Motor Show
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Smeagle 8:07PM (2/28/2008)
Yeah I'm gonna have to go with Ugly on this one... its hot, and fast, but still ugly.
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Seoultrain 8:12PM (2/28/2008)
wow, the Coupe 60 totally stole this car's thunder for me.
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Reuben 8:15PM (2/28/2008)
Ugly. Nice mechanicals/engineering, too bad the designers let em down.
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meshies 9:17AM (2/29/2008)
The front is a let down, not completely terrible but a letdown. I wouldn't call the whole car ugly, cause picture 11 of 13 shows a puuuurfect side profile.
TriShield 9:21PM (2/28/2008)
I like the fact that they call the engine 427 like a proper muscle car instead of it's displacement in liters, which just doesn't have the same ring or impact.
427 is a legendary name for Chevrolet's V8 and they should be using it more here. I also hope they call whatever V8s the Camaro comes with by cubic inches and put the badges on the front fenders like they're supposed to be.
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SilverAero 8:25PM (2/28/2008)
Ugly, that grill/front end treatment reminds me of those Chinese Roewe cars
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Gregg 8:29PM (2/28/2008)
What's WITH you people?? Look at the CAR, not the friggin' grill. Grills can be easily changed. Car shapes, not so much.
If this thing had been the basis for the GTO (with a Pontiac grill) the GTO would still be a contender.
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PiCASSO 8:33PM (2/28/2008)
I like this car... a lot.
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'94 Impala SS 8:35PM (2/28/2008)
Even though not exact same... the wheels on this thing are close to the 2009 CTS-V here http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/08/detroit-2008-2009-cadillac-cts-v-revealed-with-550-hp/
I would pick the HSV for the 427 alone. If... if only I knew how the hell to drive on the wrong side of the road when passing down there.
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Dustin 1:16AM (2/29/2008)
Actually I'd say the wheels are closer to the Opel GTC concept. Still GM though.
chris 8:36PM (2/28/2008)
It's not just the grill, the entire car is stupid. The thing will cost the same as a GT-R (I'm talking about in Australia), yet won't ever be faster than an EVO or STi. The current HSVs are barely any faster than the Commodore SS, and this thing is double the normal HSV money for a couple tenths faster acceleration. The Coupe 60, and even the production Sportwagon just revealed in Melbourne are far superior cars to this thing.
Truly is hideous as well, looks like someone got a Commodore into Need for Speed Underground... Why they made it look like this instead of a street legal V8 Supercar I'll never understand.
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Thedevil 8:39PM (2/28/2008)
Good lord man! i would rather drive an aztek than this thing,lipsick wont help this pig.
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Volk 9:05PM (2/28/2008)
Fantastic car! Too bad there are so many asian-infected car aficionados here, so GM doesn't even bother to bring such cars here.
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Gregg 9:12PM (2/28/2008)
Oops. I meant the Coupe 60 as a basis for the GTO, not a four door sedan. Still say grills are a minor detail compared to the overall presence of the vehicle.
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DIRETTORE 9:39PM (2/28/2008)
Oh no? What about HSV-V?
HSV-7000?
But my we are a discerning crowd here @ AB aren't we?
So she aint the high school cheerleader of the bunch. But she'll ride u wild! I find the front end grill very Audish no?
But good god man, jst look at those numbers! A 4 door Z06 for heavens sake! And my money is that this puppy would beat the CTS-V around a track! But u would be waaayyy more comfy in the Cadi smokin' Cohiba's.
The coupe aint bad, but it too lacks a certain Je ne sais quoi?
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hrt_prevo 12:00AM (2/29/2008)
Absolute nuts, should be a blinder when it arrives
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hrt_prevo 11:56PM (2/28/2008)
mmmmmmmmm
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luisito1273 12:21AM (2/29/2008)
The G8 Gt is being compared to the BMW 550i. They say it holds its own against it. The higher end G8 GXP should kick the pants out of the Bimmer. And now with this sweet thing coming out, hopefully in our future, Mercedes' AMG is next.
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GM786 1:37AM (2/29/2008)
That's a sweet looking HSV for sure! To bad I don't live in Europe or else that car would be mine.
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Shane 2:04AM (2/29/2008)
Won't be faster than an STi or Evo? Are you mad?! Can STi's do 0-100km/h in 4.4 seconds? Ugly? What do you want? What would you prefer? What would you present the designers with. Please, everyone throw in your suggestions. This car is a beautiful beast. If you can find a better performing car at a better price, then please let us know. STi's are for Jap wanna-bes who can't drive so they buy something with AWD. Anybody can drive a car with AWD, seriously, it's not that difficult.
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