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HSV to continue beyond 2017
Holden's manufacturing future might be winding up, but HSV says it will continue to build excitementHolden Special Vehicles (HSV) says it will continue to operate beyond 2017, in spite of the now-certain cessation of Holden’s local vehicle production.
Holden’s locally-built Commodore ute, sedan and wagon models, and Caprice (formerly Statesman) long-wheelbase models, formed the basis of the HSV range since it was established in 1988 – excluding a brief foray into the modified small car segment with the 1988 Astra SV1800 and 2006-09 HSV (Astra) VXR, and a limited-run HSV Jackaroo four-wheel drive in 1993.
HSV has also adapted light-commercial and all-wheel drive versions of Holden’s VY II series into its Avalanche (based on Adventra) and XUV (based on Crewman), further demonstrating the brand’s flexibility beyond the realm of rear-wheel drive, Commodore-based products.
In more recent times, HSV demonstrated its abilities at an even higher level with the introduction of Australia’s fastest ever production car, the HSV GTS. Powered by a 6.2-litre supercharged LSA V8 the HSV GTS boasted an output of 430kW and 720Nm, and could accelerate to 100km/h in just 4.4 seconds.
But with HSV’s donor models now all but consigned to the annals of history, the future of the popular performance arm appears looks uncertain.
There is speculation that HSV will continue to modify GM-sourced imports moving forward, which may include turbocharged versions of the Cruze small car, Chevrolet-built Camaro and Corvette, or even future iterations of the Chevrolet SS (nee Commodore). Though suggestions that Cadillac ATS, CTS (pictured) or even CTS-V models are a consideration – given their existing right-hand drive production – are probably closer to reality.
“Where the core vehicle is built is, in many respects, not the absolute driving factor. Obviously for many years we’ve been working with Holden and GM on the Commodore’s rear-wheel drive V8 platform,” said HSV's director of sales and marketing, Tim Jackson.
“What we do know is that beyond 2017 that core vehicle won’t be built in Australia, and that’s how yesterday’s announcement concerns us. We’ve obviously been working with Holden on what their next platform looks like, as well as all their other platforms, and we’ve got a concept per se. We conceptually understand what we want to do, and at the moment where that vehicle is built is not the defining factor of that programme.
“All platforms are on the agenda for us at all times. We’ve got a commitment and a belief that we will still be building cars beyond 2017 and the reason for that is that we still believe there is a market for performance cars in Australia. The things that we do to it all remain the same, and we still see a market for it, and that market is pretty steady. Our job is to deliver a car that meets the needs and expectations of that market.”
The comments echo those of company chairman Ryan Walkinshaw. Speaking to motoring.com.au in October, Walkinshaw said HSV would continue to adapt to the evolving nature of the new car market, and may investigate V6-powered models, and those with an all-wheel drive platform.
“There will be some variations in the future from what we do now to what we are going to do, but that is just the nature of the evolving car market,” Walkinshaw surmised.
“You cannot sit still in this sort of thing, sometimes you have to evolve and change some of the potential principles you have held dear for a very long time. If it means going from a V8 to a V6 that is something we will look at, if that means going from rear-wheel drive to four-wheel drive that is something we will look at.
“But as far as we are concerned, as long as there is a deal with Holden and as long as Holden is around and as long as HSV is around, we will be committed to making the best possible performance product we can based on the Holden product,” he concluded.
Holden coverage on motoring.com.au
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Written byMatt Brogan
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If the price does not contain the notation that it is "Drive Away", the price may not include additional costs, such as stamp duty and other government charges.
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