HSV LS3 6.2-litre V8: Beating FPV To The Punch

Motoring Channel Staff - 26/March/2008

Melbourne, Australia — Holden Special Vehicles (HSV) has confirmed that it will be equipping its new models with a larger V8 engine from April.

Equipped with new LS3 V8 engines now displacing 6.2-litres (up from 6.0-litres), HSV has made the brash move to pre-empt the launch of Ford Performance Vehicle's (FPV) all-new range, expected to arrive mid year.

All HSV models, from the Maloo R8 Ute to the Senator and even the Statesman-based Grange will get the new engine, which hikes power from 307kW to 317kW.

The new V8-powered FPV models are expected to output 315kW of power, which would give HSV bragging rights as 'the most powerful Aussie V8'.

Torque levels will remain the same, 550Nm, but now the torque hits the crankshaft 200rpm higher, at 4600rpm. Power levels are as follows:

Power: 317kW @ 6000rpm
Torque: 550NM @ 4600 rpm

To deal with the increased power, models fitted with the 6-speed automatic get new transmission coolers as standard.

According to a press released issued today, HSV's managing director Scott Grant said the new engine was a welcome upgrade to the range of
vehicles from Australia's luxury and performance car maker.

"We know our customers want the latest and greatest technology in their cars," said Grant.

"The General Motors LS3 engine continues the HSV tradition of scouring the world for technological advancements to enhance the driving experience," added Mr Grant.

While the new engines provide more peak power, and are expected to improve acceleration slightly, HSV claims the new LS3 V8's in some models will be more fuel efficient than the LS2 engines.

It claims that "despite the power output increase, the new engine will deliver a slight improvement in fuel economy for Maloo R8 and WM Grange" but the short wheel based sedan models - such as the ClubSport and GTS "return figures of14.5 litres per 100km, as opposed to 14.4ltr/100km for E-Series LS2, in automatic mode."

The move to the larger, more powerful V8 engine is a sign that HSV doesn't want play bridesmaid to FPV in the Aussie power war. 

FPV's new V8-powered GT is expected to output 315kW of power, would have been more powerful than the 307kW HSVs.

Now the HSV will be the power king, albeit by a scant 2 kilowatts.

HSV's new LS3 engine upgrade also sees a price increase to the entire range, though it's isn't dramatic: between 1.3 and 2.8%. A new 20-inch wheel design has also been added to the range.Pricing for the upgraded HSV models is as follows:

Maloo R8: $61,550
Maloo R8 (auto): $63,750
ClubSport R8: $64,550
ClubSport R8 (auto): $66,750
GTS: $76,990
GTS (auto): $79,190
Senator Signature: $79,190
Grange: $84,690

Options:
Maloo R8 PP: $3,990
New 20 inch wheel: $2,500

The larger, more powerful LS3 engine will allow HSV to configure higher levels of tune in future, so if FPV's new V8s models hit the market with 330kW, the new LS3 will be more capable of being tuned for higher outputs to match its arch-rival.

Constructed by General Motors Powertrain in North America, the LS3 V8 currently powers Chevrolet Corvette and will also drive Pontiac's upcoming GXP - essentially a rebadged and redesigned Holden Commodore. 

While Australian HSV's will get the larger engine from April, export regions will also benefit from the new V8 upgrade.

Vauxhall's VXR8 sold in the United Kingdom and the CSV R8 which sells in the Middle East will also benefit from the LS3 engine this year. 

New Zealand customers will see the new LS3 engine in limited edition 'Murph'-themed ClubSport R8 and Maloo R8 models.

Coinciding with the engine change, the new HSV range will also comes in new colours including red versions of the WM Grange and Senator Signature, a first for HSV.

Related Articles:
- HSV Maloo R8 (Road Test)
- HSV W427 (2008)
- HSV Grange (Road Test)
- HSV Senator vs. FPV Force6 (Road Test)
- HSV Clubsport R8 (Road Test)
- Holden Coupe 60 (2008)
- HSV W427 (2008)
- Pontiac G8 Sports Truck (2008)
- Pontiac G8 (2008)