2017 HSV GTS-R W1 - The Wheels gallery

FOR TWO short days, Ash Westerman and Editor Inwood took HSV's bonkers 474kw HSV GTS-R W1 on a tour of solemn celebration through the highlands of Victoria.

A last roar through the native lands where Holden - and HSV - built storied powerhouses in the form of V8-toting family sedans for almost 70 years.

As the howl of the W1's monster dry-sumped LS9 fades back down the Great Alpine Road, so too does the era of our locally-made muscle sedans of which it capstones. In the words of Westerman: "This is our effin’ M5; our E63…".

Our nation's David-and-Goliath statement of .50 Cal rapid-fire slingshots to the rest of the world's automotive juggernauts.

But back to the W1.

Along with the 474kw power output, there's a godly 815nm of torque under your right foot. It's not just a frankenstein GTS with a ZL1 engine shoe-horned into it either.

If you're one of the lucky 300 with the privilege to buy the zenith of modern HSV's, there's also a host of bespoke chassis and drivetrain upgrades- including close-ratio gearbox, six-piston AP Racing brakes mated to massive 410mm rotors up front, Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R semi-slicks, and fixed-rate SupaShock dampers.

Did we mention that GM doesn't actually make the LS9 any more? HSV had to hunt them down for their limited W1 production run, even enlisting BMC Air Filters' composite department to supply numerous unique pieces like that carbon intake in the engine bay. That's the same BMC which also supplies carbon parts to Ferrari. From the outset, the boffins at HSV truly wanted the W1 to be be the greatest car they've ever developed.

Given that all cars are sold out, and the fact that the W1 is almost certainly a future collectible, you're probably not going to see one pottering down your local shopping strip any time soon. But no matter - stay right here and flick through some of our favourite shots of, arguably, Australia's greatest car ever made.