HSV to ramp up LS3 V8 sound

HSV has announced a trio of limited edition models – R8 SV Black (sedan and ute), Grange SV and R8 Track Edition – that will send off the 6.2-litre Chevrolet-sourced LS3 engines for the Holden performance arm.

Between them only 650 will be produced for Australia, 50 of which will be the last HSVs to wear the Grange nameplate, which is being retired in the lead up to the end of Australian manufacturing. All have to be sold by October 31 ahead of the introduction of stricter Euro 5 emissions regulations.

The 340kW/570Nm output of a motor not used since the arrival of the Gen F2 range in 2015 is unchanged, but the engines pick up the mechanical sound enhancer developed by Holden for its V8 models with the same basic donk.

The piping and diaphragm fitted under the bonnet of V8 VF II Commodores (modified slightly for the HSV installation) is plumbed from the air intake to the fire wall, deepening the induction noise of the already throaty V8. It combines with HSV’s bi-modal exhaust system to create a louder set of lungs for the last naturally-aspirated V8 to roll through the Clayton production facilities.

It’s the only tweak to the 6.2-litre V8 driveline that is the heart of the SV Black, Grange SV and Track Edition versions.

The limited edition models plug the gaping price hole between the top-shelf Commodore V8s and the $80,990 HSV ClubSport R8 sedan and $76,990 the Maloo R8 ute.

First out of the blocks will be the SV Black versions of the ClubSport and Maloo. Each picks up most of the GTS styling, albeit without the LSA badge.

The Maloo R8 SV Black will sell for $62,990 and the ClubSport R8 SV Black $65,990. There will be no Tourer version, with that car instead only being offered with the LSA until it is discontinued late next year.

HSV will then dish out 50 Granges, each picking up similar styling-focused enhancements at an unchanged $86,990 price. The Grange will also be pitched as a 20th anniversary celebration of the car that once included a bottle of Penfold’s Grange wine in the boot.

Wrapping up the life of the LS3 engine for HSV will be the R8 Track Edition. As well as the black styling touches, it also picks up 20-inch wheels previously used on the GTS.

Unsurprisingly, the focus for the Track Edition is on its hot lap performance. Key to the changes are springs that are 200 percent stiffer than those used on the previous ClubSport, as well as the six-piston AP Racing calipers from the supercharged GTS.

HSV also considered two other big ticket items for the Track Edition: Magnetic Ride Control adjustable dampers and the Enhanced Driver Interface data logging system. In the end the big brake package won out, with HSV keen to ensure a sharp $68,990 starting price for a model that will only account for 150 sales.

The last LS3-powered HSV will have number plates fitted by October 31, one day before the deadline that stipulates all new cars and SUVs must meet the new Euro 5 emissions standards.

While Holden developed the same LS3 engine to meet the new regulations, the slightly more powerful HSV version has not been calibrated to the stricter standards.

The investment to bring the engines up to the new regulations would have gone into the millions, prompting HSV to instead plan a run of limited edition models prior to the regulation change.

HSV limited edition models

ClubSport R8 SV Black (sedan), Maloo R8 SV Black (ute)
On sale: June, 2016
Engine: 6.2-litre LS3 V8
Power: 340kW
Torque: 570Nm
Transmission: 6-speed manual or 6-speed auto
Mechanical changes: sound enhancer for intake manifold, 4-piston AP Racing brakes
Price: ClubSport $65,990; Maloo $62,990
Number produced: 350 ClubSports and 100 Maloos (Australia); 18 ClubSports and 2 Maloos (New Zealand)

Grange SV

On sale: September, 2016
Engine: 6.2-litre LS3 V8
Power/torque: 340kW/570Nm
Transmission: 6-speed manual or 6-speed auto
Mechanical changes: sound enhancer for intake manifold
Price: $86,990
Number produced: 50 (Australia), 6 (New Zealand)

ClubSport R8 Track Edition

On sale: September, 2016
Engine: 6.2-litre LS3 V8
Power/torque: 340kW/570Nm
Transmission: 6-speed manual or 6-speed auto
Mechanical changes: sound enhancer for intake manifold, 200 percent stiffer springs, six-piston AP Racing brakes from the GTS
Price: $68,990
Number produced: 150 (Australia), 6 (New Zealand)