HSV SV6000: High Tech Heavy Hitter

By Feann Torr - 17/03/2005

When Holden Special Vehicles (HSV) brought out its SV5000 in 1989, based on the then cutting edge VN Commodore, 359 units were built, and the originals are considered by some to be collectors items today.

Sixteen years later, in early 2005, when a pumped-up and indeed powered-up HSV took the wraps off the SV6000, with a limited run of just 50 to 100 units, one wonders how desirable such a model would be in another 16 years time, with even fewer units on the market?

Compared to the VN-based SV5000, the new HSV is light years ahead in almost all respects, and especially in terms of driver-oriented techno gadgetry, which we'll address a little later in the article.

But how about the look? Love it or not, the brightly coloured SV6000 demands attention -- it screams out for it like an unloved child.

The retina-burning yellow paintjob just wouldn't work on a standard Commodore, but on the limited run HSV, sitting pretty on expansive 19-inch alloy wheels, it looks a treat, and it also brings to the table magnificent levels of performance.

The SV5000 got its name from the 5.0-litre V8 engine that provided it propulsion, and the SV6000 follows that same formula, lobbing with General Motor's LS2 Gen IV 6.0-litre smallblock.

HSV's heavy hitting V8 has a 5967cc capacity and, as such, need not rely on turbocharging or 4-valves per cylinder to generate wheel-spinning amounts of power and torque.

The large 2-valve V8 engine creates 297kW @ 6000rpm, compared to the SV5000's 200kW, and torque is equally impressive, the new HSV churning out 530Nm of the stuff @ 4400rpm.

According to HSV's official figures, this puts the eye-catching Aussie muscle car in very special company, able to sprint from 0-100km/h in just 5.1 seconds with an automatic transmission, while a 13.3 second quarter mile pass is not to be baulked at either.

As well as the overwhelming levels of power on offer, the intimidating SV6000 comes in two aggressive colour schemes - Devil Yellow with colour-coded lateral body stripes and Phantom Black - and is fitted with large 19-inch alloy wheels.

HSV says that the "style and location of badging has been specifically designed to pay homage to earlier 'SV' models," and the SV6000 also gets some rather appealing open mesh vents on its flanks.

Heavy duty race-inspired brakes from AP take care of deceleratory duties, are painted yellow to match the bodywork and are "one of the most powerful braking systems fitted to any road car" according to HSV.

Take a look inside the car and you'll notice some new odds and sods too, with yellow stitching that matches the bold exterior bodywork on the seats, tiller, gear shifter and handbrake, plus there are even SV6000 logos on the door trim inserts that subtly enhance its street credibility.

The seats themselves are big and comfy HSV items, upholstered with Anthracite leather, and a new feature that will please gadget lovers has made its way into the HSV special edition SV6000 - the DDI, or driver dynamic interface.

Developed in conjunction between HSV's engineering department and the R&D centre at General Motors Technology Management Group in Detroit, the DDI gizmo "combines the attributes of a modern PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) with the convenience of satellite navigation, as well as opening a direct line of communication between the driver and the car" to quote HSV's press release.

It reckons that many HSV owners spend long hours behind the wheels of their modified Commodores, and allows them to access features like Bluetooth download capabilities, an address book and appointments notification - the PDA aspect.

The HSV DDI system also comes with a global positioning system (GPS) to keep track of the car when using satellite navigation to find useful information, such as which industrial block you're next heading to in order to abuse the pristine-looking Pirelli P Zero tyres - the sat nav aspect.

But what about the "direct line of communication between the driver and the car" aspect? When the DDI is plugged into its 'gateway module' cradle in the HSV's centre console it taps into the car's electronic architecture via a data bus, and gains access to the vehicle's many electronic sensors, found in the throttle bodies, steering and other areas of the car.

It allows drivers to record telemetry just like a V8 Supercar team would, albeit without as much detail, and a couple of examples HSV gives are to "monitor coolant and oil temperatures when towing or ... to assess changes in throttle position and vehicle performance".

Of course there's also a lot of scope for the DDI to be used on track days when it's you, the SV6000, and an enticing 280km/h straight followed by a tight, off-camber left hander. It can be used to measure lap times, and vehicle performance for later analysis (the screen deactivates when the car is moving).

Holden Special Vehicles will release the ClubSport R8-based SV6000 midway through 2005, and the DDI system will be a standard feature on the limited edition model, expected to fetch about $80,000. All other HSV models can be optioned with the clever and functional little PAD-based system when it hits HSV show rooms later in 2005.

With a bold new look that harks back to days gone by thanks to the old-school body stripe decal below the doors, HSV's limited edition SV6000 is expected to sell quickly, and with the recently upgraded performance thanks to the new braking package and stonking LS2 V8 powerplant, it's not really unexpected.

And like the 1989 SV5000, the new SV model has all the hallmarks of becoming a collectors item, and even more so when it will become the first ever Holden/HSV to come equipped with on-demand telemetry and diagnostics.

For further information on the HSV Z Series, click here.