HSV to unveil 2017 range tomorrow

HOLDEN Special Vehicles has teased it is about to reveal a tyre-shredding, 476kW GTS-R badged tribute to the rear-drive V8 formula that has shaped it for the last three decades.

The specialist carmaker teased on Twitter it would reveal its 2017 model line-up – the last to be based on the locally built Commodore – tomorrow. The post, which read “Stop EVERYTHING! Our 2017 range is coming”, included a tightly cropped image of a red brake calliper and two spokes of a rim.

Wheels believes the return of the GTS-R badge will be a big part of the announcement, which should include a range-topping variant called the GTS-R W1, expected to be powered by the 6.2-litre supercharged LS9 V8 found in the Chevrolet Corvette and Camaro.

What we understand is the GTS-R W1 was spied without any camouflage earlier this year shortly after separate images of what appeared to be the 2017 range were snapped.

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Judging by the camouflaging, there will be visual tweaks to the front, side and rear of the cars, as well as new colours, and rims.

Wheels has covered the top-secret development of the GTS-R W1 extensively since HSV first approved the project. We previously reported that the W1 will be powered by the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1’s LS9 engine, with a power output in the region of 476kW and a massive peak torque number of 820Nm. The cost? It’s rumoured to be as high as $170,000, which would make the GTS-R W1 the most expensive and powerful Holden Commodore ever made.

Just a reminder: HSV’s tweet states the range will be unveiled just after midnight tonight. Make sure you check back at WheelsMag.com.au for all the news and details of the updated HSV range.