Holden Hustles

[Drew Dowdell]

Holden's VE Commodore E-Series Gets to 60 in Under 5 Seconds

MELBOURNE, Australia — Australia's Holden Special Vehicles has launched an E-Series performance sedan lineup based on the GM unit's freshly introduced VE Commodore.

With a 0-62-mph time under five seconds, they are claimed to be the fastest Australia-made cars ever.

The new HSV range includes Clubsport R8, GTS and Senator Signature models. All have been completely styled, modeled and engineered in-house by HSV. They feature aggressive body kits, spoilers and new, repositioned curved LED taillights. The change required a unique fascia and rear bumper assembly.

The three-model range, with prices beginning at the U.S. equivalent of $48,000 for the Clubsport R8 and topping out at the equivalent $58,700 for the Senator Signature, is powered by a mildly modified version of the 6.0-liter LS2 V8 used in the previous series. Exhaust extractors increase power to 412 horsepower, and torque has been boosted to 406 pound-feet at 4400 rpm.

All models are available with a six-speed automatic transmission; a six-speed manual is offered on the Clubsport R8 and the GTS. All have the latest Bosch ABS, traction control and electronic stability control, while the GTS and the Senator Signature also get magnetic ride control, which automatically adjusts suspension stiffness for improved cornering grip and handling. Road wheels are 19- or 20-inch alloys paired with a unique range of Bridgestone tires.

What this means to you: Hot cars are always good news, anywhere in the world they occur.

Edited August 25, 2006 by Oldsmoboi

[commodore]

There is no way the HSV range will sell for upwards of $48,000 US dollars if it reaches the US market.

How much was your pontiac GTO? It states on Automobilemag.com $32,000 US dollars.

Our Monaro sold for AUS $52,000!!

So therefore, using a currency converter it says the GTO should be priced at US $41,000 if it sold for $52,000 AUS dollars.

So the HSv range will be significantly cheaper if it sold there in the US, maybe even more the $12,000, bringing the US price to approximatly $36,000 for the standard HSV...

Edited August 25, 2006 by commodore