HSV's tricky new Coupés

We knew it was coming and we knew it would be impressive. The new HSV-enhanced Monaro has been the recipient of a plethora of changes - including the name.

Say hello to the new HSV GTO and GTS Coupés.

HSV has just released first details of the new Coupés that will provide significant upgrades over the stock Monaros.

Due to go on sale in January (GTO) and February (GTS) 2002, HSV head-honcho John Crennan was obviously happy with the finished cars and had this to say: "HSV was handed a gold card to work on and I think we've now made it platinum."

"The new HSV Coupé is the next major 'defining moment' in HSV's history.

"We've applied the very best we have to offer to this sensational new model - stunning, aggressive, low to the ground exterior appearance, superb ride and handling, spirited engine performance and a dynamic feature-packed interior.

"I believe that, if the HSV Coupé was released exactly as is but with BMW badges, the price would be $150,000. By any measure, HSV's Coupé models are a great value for money story for a world-class high performance V8 two-door sports model."

Already, some 200 orders have been placed for the HSV Coupés and the company expects to sell about 600-700 of the cars in 2002.

You can tell from the images that the HSV revisions look very flashy indeed. But one of the most important upgrades come in the form of engine tuning.

The new models now pack 255kW and 300kW respectively, thanks to HSV's specialised tuning techniques.

The more powerful GTS comes with the quasi-traditional five-spoke alloys, in a bid to capture some of the flavour of past GTS vehicles. The massive 19-inch wheels are shod with Pirelli P-Zero tyres, ensuring solid traction. The GTO comes with 18-inch mags.

As far as styling goes, a new front fascia featuring enlarged air dams give the new HSVs better air flow and a rather angry-looking mouth. The side-skirts come with distinctive 'shark gills', as HSV term them, plus GTS/GTO lettering. There's a small, almost invisible roof spoiler as well as a much larger rear wing with incorporated LED brake lights.

Changes have been made on the inside too. Now owners can expect leather throughout, available in three different colours on both models. The instrument panel is also new from HSV, with a 250km/h speedo finished in high-contrast Mariner blue.

Both Coupés also get an eight-speaker stereo system with a 10-stack CD player, while satellite navigation is an optional extra. Interestingly, the cars even come with HSV-branded fire extinguishers for when the going gets too hot...

But perhaps the most important part of the new Coupé is at its core - the powerplant. The GTO packs the Holden-standard issue Chev big block 5.7-litre V8.

That said, power has been upped by 30kW to 255kW by way of using a new (ram air) cold air intake, stainless steel exhaust extractors with big bore, 57mm dual exhaust system and a newly designed rear muffler creating a most impressive exhaust note. This equates to a stomach-heaving 475Nm of torque @ 4000rpm and a casual 255kW of power @ 5600rpm.

The power is put to ground via either a six-speed manaul gearbox or a four-speed auto.

The GTS, while more expensive, offers prospective drivers even more power, thanks to a 5.7-litre Reeves Callaway-tuned C4B V8 engine. Different to the LS1 found in the GTO, the C4B revs higher, thus producing more power.

This is achieved in much the same way as the GTO, with new engine programming, cold air intake, stainless steel exhaust extractors with big bore, 57mm dual exhaust system (with double "D" tips). Yeah, HSV likes 'em big!

An earth-shaking 300kW of power is produced @ 6000rpm, with an equally impressive 510Nm of torque @ 4800rpm. Also for the GTS is a shift light and buzzer, which are hooked up to the close-ratio six-speed manual transmission for bang-on-redline inspired gear changes.

To complement the massive amounts of power the Coupés create, they have been fitted with a newly designed steering system. This new steering rack allows the two new HSV Coupés to turn in much quicker than the standard Monaros.

Both cars come with ludicrously large disc brakes, but when your cruising with 250kW+, this becomes a neccesity. The GTO receives 330mm discs up front, with 315mm jobbies at the rear. GTS buyers can expect a premium AP-brand braking system, which costs extra for the GTO. The package consists of the UK-based AP callipers working with 362mm grooved, cross-drilled and ventilated discs up front, with the same goodies at the rear, only with 4-pot callipers and 343mm discs.

It's obvious that HSV wanted to make every aspect of the new Coupés top of the range - and in most respects it succeeded. The company is talking of producing about 900 of the cars for 2002, with a good chunk of them already spoken for.

From what we've seen so far, HSV has outdone itself . Truly, the GTS Monaro is back and has more power, more style and more features than ever before. Perhaps the company's most defining moment, the new Coupés are a showcase for everything HSV aims to achieve.

And more than that, they're fairly well priced. You may think that $94,750 is a lot of money, but the GTS is well worth the price of admission. HSV has really got behind this one to keep it under six figures. Expect it to arrive in February 2002. Even better value is the GTO at a more reasonable $73,750. It should be available by January 2002.

And there you have it - the perfect Christmas gift from HSV and Holden - the GTO and GTS Coupés. Bon apetit!