Sedan Ramblings - Reviews, comparisons and all things sedans

HSV "VEES" - Sports Sedans and Muscle Cars Down Under
by Traian Popescu

Although it has successfully exported a large number of engines to Asia, Europe and even the US, Australia's biggest automobile manufacturer Holden as well as its hot-rod builder stablemate HSV have only encountered a lot of prosperity selling their cars in their home land and New Zealand. This has been accomplished while simultaneously competing with major rival Ford in the showrooms and on the tracks.

Holden Special Vehicles is far from unknown among autophiles, a company jointly owned by TWR and Holden, which produced Australia's versions of the muscle car during the '70s. HSV created some of the most bad-ass sedans in the world throughout the last decade, starting with the VL on to the current VX generation. Those sedans will be the focus of this issue of Sedan Ramblings, the various V-series cars dating back to 1988.

The partnership between Holden and HSV began in 1988, when the VL Commodore SS Group A was built for Holden in order to provide a high-performance road package as well as an able track car. The HSV VL Group A packed a 2-litre premium in displacement over other 3.0L Holden VL's, a 4987cc V8 engine to be precise, the first fuel-injected Holden V8, producing 241 horsepower and 280 lb/ft of torque. A 4987cc engine was used in the VL Group A as well as many of the subsequent HSV models in order to comply with Group A racing rules that limited displacement to 5-litres. The performance provided matched the output, 0-60 mph took 7 seconds, the quarter-mile 15 and the top speed was 144 mph. In total, 750 VL Group A's were built making it not only a successful race car, having scored its first win in 1990 at Bathurst, but also a desirable road car.

1989 brought the new VN generation, and with it the new HSV VN SV5000. Packing a 4987cc V8 that produced 268 horsepower and 303 lb/ft of torque, the VN was quick enough to reach 60 mph in just a shade over 7 seconds, the 1/4 mile in about 15.2 and provide a top speed of 147 mph. Peter Stevens, the man behind the design of the McLaren F1, also contributed to the design modifications for the HSV. In addition, the brakes for the SV5000 were based on the ones used on the Corvette ZR1. 359 examples were built in total.

The next year, a new HSV VN was released, the VN Commodore Group A SV. Only 302 examples of this model were built, each equipped with a 4987cc V8 producing 288 horsepower at 5200 rpm and 303 lb/ft of torque at 4000rpm. The increase in power over the previous Group A car came from new pistons, rods, double row timing chain, crankshaft and various other modifications. The transmission was the 6-speed ZF unit from the Corvette ZR1, while the 235/45ZR17 Goodyear Eagle tires on 17-inch rims were the first 17" package on an Australian production car. The Group A also benefited from aerodynamic modifications over the previous SV5000, lowering the coefficient of drag from 0.34 to a slippery 0.3. Overall result: 0-60 mph in 6.5 seconds, the 1/4 mile in 14.7 and a top speed of 156 mph.

In 1991, the VN series was replaced with the new VP generation. The next year, the high-performance HSV VP GTS was introduced. Drawing on the luxury and independent rear suspension layout of the HSV VQ SV90 (a large luxury tourer based on the Holden VQ Statesman), the VP GTS provided a mix of both all-out performance and comfort. The engine was a 4987cc V8 unit, a combination of the previous Group A and SV5000 blocks, producing 268 horsepower and 303 lb/ft of torque. The performance was appropriate for the output; 60 mph was achieved in 7.2 seconds, the 1/4 mile in a little over 15 capped off by a 147 mph top speed. Other features found on the VP included the upgraded brake package, Group A sports seats, 3-spoke MOMO steering wheel and 235/45ZR17 Pirelli P-Zero tires. Total production amounted to only 130 units.

Following another series change in 1993, from the VN to the new VRs, an HSV VR GTS was introduced in 1994. This was based on the previous HSV VR Senator 215i in augurated in May 1994, which itself followed the VR Senator 185i. Equipped with a 5.7-litre V8, the Senator 215i provided a large increase in power over the 5.0-litre 248 horsepower engine of the 185i. The 5737cc V8 engine was also used in the GTS, produci ng 288 horsepower at 4800 rpm and 295 lb/ft of torque at 3600 rpm. Ian Callum of TWR provided HSV Senators the elegant shapes of the new VR generation. Equipped with the 5.7-litre engine and 235/45ZR17 Bridgestone Expedia S-01 tires, the VR Senator 215i could attain 60 mph in 6.9 seconds and the 1/4 mile in 15.2, while the similarly endowed GTS performed the same feats in 6.6 and 14.8 seconds, respectively, and achieved a terminal velocity of 151 mph. Overall, between the two Statesman and the GTS model, 1132 units were produced.

The new generation, called the VX, is a progression of the previous VTII models. The VX GTS uses a Callaway developed 402 horsepower V8 engine as well as new cylinder heads, valves, valve springs, throttle body, manifold, injectors and all new HSV software. Once again, the performance numbers are sure not to disappoint, however considering HSV's track record, that should not even be an issue.

True, none of the newer VS, VT or VTII series of HSV cars (all slotting in between the VN and VX) are even mentioned in this article, however all for a good reason. To find more information on the newer VT and VTII generations, check the main page of the World's Fastest Sedans. As for the VSs, check back soon for a write-up on the GTS-R, a 288 horsepower monster, which will be featured on the World's Fastest Sedans in the near future.

© Traian Popescu , World's Fastest Sedans (http://www.fantasycars.com/sedans/), 2001.

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