HSV Turns Up Heat on FPV

By Feann Torr - 8/10/04

Just when FPV looked to be edging ahead of its arch-rival in the power war that will no doubt rage for aeons, HSV has fired off a warning shot from its new weapon - the Z series.

Launched at the 2004 Australian International Motor Show, the centrepiece of the new HSV range is GM's new 'LS2' 6.0-litre V8 engine first seen in the new C6 Corvette.

Ford Performance Vehicles may have its 270kW F6 Typhoon and Tornado, not to mention the 290kW GT, GT-P and Pursuit, but HSV can now claim the bigger muscles.

The new Chev-sourced LS2 is an engine that's some 600cc larger than Ford's 5.4-litre donk, and has a peak power output of 297kW and is a pushrod engine, as opposed to an overhead camshaft job.

Interestingly, this 297kW mark is attained from virtually no tinkering on HSV's behalf - things like exhausts and airboxes haven't been changed, which is something HSV almost always adapts.

Insiders suggest that Holden Special Vehicles isn't planning on fettling the major intake and exhaust aspects of the new LS2 V8 for more than a year, as the arrival of the new engines weren't originally anticipated so early.

As a result of the new almost-300kW 6.0-litre engines being offered across the new HSV range, the 300kW GTS and GTS Coupe models won't be offered in the new Z Series, presumably returning to the fold when HSV decides to upgrade the LS2's airbox and exhaust systems in a year or so, which will no doubt yield somewhere in the vicinity of 330kW. The Coupe 4, Avalanche and Avalanche XUV models will retain their 5.7-litre LS1 V8 engines with a 270kW output.

The new HSVZ range now consists of the following models:

Maloo $54,250
Maloo R8 $61,450
ClubSport $61,850
ClubSport R8 $70,990
Senator $71,990
GTO $78,690
Grange $89,750

Before we get to exact performance figures and exactly how quick the new 6.0-litre HSV beauties are, the new styling deserves a mention.

The new VZ-based HSV series is an ever-so-slightly more conservative evolution compared to when the VY series superceded the more curvaceous VX-based HSV range - though the GTO coupe is the exception, what with its gregarious twin bonnet scoops and quad exhaust outlets.

HSV calls the Maloo and ClubSport models "aggressive" and "street-wise", which is a fair call, what with the lowered suspension, side skirts and new front fascias and rear valances. A gaping front airdam hovers just above the road, hinting at the huge lungs that lurk behind it, and nicely integrated new-look fog lights make the grade as well.

Thanks to the new styling of the VZ Commodore and it's siblings such as the Berlina and Calais - upon which the HSV range is based - the ClubSport, Maloo and Senator models also get prominent twin bonnet lines that flow through the trademark twin nostril HSV performance grille.

The rear of the Z Series haven't changed an awful lot, and only the keenest of HSV devotees will spot the differences, mainly the rear wings. Still, it must be said that the new Z Series GTO coupe and Maloo models take the cake for appealing backsides with their dual exhausts conveying clearly to those following that these are no ordinary Holdens.

Though the Statesman-based Grange model looks fairly similar to its Y Series predecessor, save for a slightly more aggressive front fascia and the fender air vents located just behind the front wheels, it's the Senator that takes HSV to a new level.

The new body styling for the Senator has quite a bit of European influence - it's more subtle than the Maloo and Clubbie - and for mine it's the pick of the new HSV bunch. Chrome and lots of it was the order of the day for the Senator, as the curvy front airdam has a chrome outline that gives it more contrast and communicates a strong visual message. In addition, chrome detail elements on the fender vents and fog light surrounds (first seen on the Coupe 4) hint at the car's luxury aspirations.

All Z Series models now come standard with 19-inch alloy wheels and wider Pirelli P Zero 245/35 ZR19 tyres. The two striking new styles – 5-spoke for Maloo and ClubSport and multispoke in 'Chrome-shadow' for Maloo R8 and ClubSport R8 – are both very open designs that help to highlight the HSV braking packages and HRT-red painted calipers.

The bigger wheels look great and will provide a larger contact patch with the road, and hence more grip, but the increased costs of fitting the fatter 19-inch Pirelli P Zero tyres, which are likely to take more of beating thanks to the increased torque of the LS2 engines, won't please everyone.

Getting back to the new 6.0-litre LS2 engines, which are the fourth generation of Chevrolet's small block range, HSV can now hold its head high when facing off with FPV's flagship models.

Outputting more power and torque than FPV's V8 range, HSV is quick to assure would-be buyers that the new LS2 engines display a "smooth and refined nature" and thanks to a flat torque curve, there are "tremendous reserves of traditional V8 ‘grunt’ on tap virtually whenever and wherever the driver". Without further ado, here's the vital statistics:

The HSV engine doctors took on the major role of developing the new 5967 cubic centimetre V8 to work in the Z Series range and this included recalibrating the operating parameters of the engine management computer to suit local conditions and to deliver "all round" V8 performance.

The spread torque is considerably broader than the 5.7-litre LS1, with some 87% of peak torque, or about 463Nm, available from a low 1600rpm, which only takes a dive after 6000rpm. Some of the other features of the new LS2 engine are as follows:

10.9:1 compression ratio
6500rpm redline
Aluminium block
The LS2 is 4% lighter than the LS1 @ 180kg (without ancillaries)

The new engine offers an increase of 12kW and 20Nm over the LS1 engine, which are both nice increases, but will fuel consumption rise in line with the engine's increased displacement?

HSV's official line on fuel efficiency is as follows: "Early indications are that fuel efficiency in everyday driving conditions has the potential to be just as outstanding as the performance (up to a 7% improvement is expected). And, this engine offers ‘green’ credentials by meeting the ultra-stringent Euro 3 emission standards which are not due to be introduced until 2006."

Sounds good, right? Well, if you translate 'everyday driving conditions' to something less vague, it would be closer to 'driving like Grandma', something many HSV buyers probably won't be doing all day, everyday.

Still, it's a whopping 6.0-litre, 8-cylinder engine, and if it can reach Euro 3 emissions targets, that's an impressive effort.

A new ECU accompanies the arrival of the LS2 engine as well, and apart from doing all the usual stuff, such as taking care of cruise control and the drive-by-wire throttle, HSV claims that the traction control action "is now so subtle that it's difficult to determine when it's operating".

If proven to be true, this will be a very welcome feature, as previous traction control systems have been quite intrusive and often hamper the driving experience.

A first for the Maloo ute - or any Aussie-built hi-po ute for that matter - is traction control, and HSV also fitted a similar version of the sedan's multi-link independent rear suspension, that is said to contribute towards "improved turn in the elimination of roll oversteer".

Next up we have HSV's claimed performance figures for all models, except the Grange, which is a bit heavier and slower than the short wheel based models:

According to HSV's claims, the 4-speed automatic gearbox offers quicker, faster performance than the manual, which doesn't exactly make a whole lot of sense. Following this line of logic, expect Mark Skaife to use a 4-speed auto in his V8 Supercar in 2005.

HSV puts the 4-speed 4L65E HMD auto transmission's superior performance down to a number of upgrades, featuring detailed internal modifications, a 10% higher stall torque converter and a smarter torque converter lock up clutch. The ‘Power’ mode has also been removed from automatic models.

Other drivetrain changes to the Z Series HSV range incorporate a number of Corvette components, so much so that one staffer here (since retrenched) nicknamed the new HSV's "Aussie 4-door 'Vettes".

The M12 Tremec 6-speed manual transmission – as fitted to the Corvette – brings with it triple cone synchromesh for smoother, quicker shifts between the gates, and HSV's new lions also get the Corvette C6's heavy duty clutch.

A Bosch ABS 8 system - which includes Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD) - has been added, and HSV's standard braking package has been uprated with more bits from the C6 Corvette's parts bin, namely the twin-piston front calipers that provide for a higher clamping force.

If you've got money to burn, why not upgrade to the race-bred AP Racing Brakes, which is optional on the Maloo R8 and ClubSport R8 and comprises 6-piston front and 4-piston rear calipers acting on 362mm front and 343mm rear grooved discs. Adjustable Performance Suspension is another option for the ClubSport R8 and GTO Coupé, developed in conjunction with Öhlins.

The new HSV range of vehicles may have dropped a couple of models this time around, but when the new Z Series gets bigger wheels, aggressive new styling, a more powerful, torquier engine, better brakes and keen pricing, who are we to complain?

There is one sour point, a quibble if you will, concerning the new range of HSV sports sedans. The interiors. Looking decidedly 1995, what's good for Holden isn't always good for HSV, and though the upholstery and leather bucket seats look incredibly inviting, the rough plastic dashboards, switchgear and instruments look very tired when compared to the FPV range.

At the end of the day, HSV's updated range of sports sedans and utes will no doubt garner plenty of attention and admiration - and rightly so - with the new LS2 6.0-litre V8 the crowing glory of the Z Series. The question is, will FPV return fire?