EXCLUSIVE: Final HSV to be named W1

The last and perhaps greatest HSV of them all will be named GTS-R W1.

That’s the word from motoring.com.au sources as the hot Holden tuner works towards a second-quarter 2017 launch for the W1, which will be powered by the awesome LS9 supercharged 6.2-litre V8 from the previous generation Corvette ZR1 supercar.

But that’s not all, as HSV is understood to have signed off a double-barrelled naming and model strategy with an LSA-engined GTS-R to join HSV's final homegrown Commodore-based MY17 range at the same time as the W1, by the middle of next year.

As well, technical development will spread beyond the engine bay with motoring.com.au learning that Aussie Supashock dampers will replace Magnetic Ride Control in the W1.

While W1 production will be limited to around 250 examples, the standard GTS-R will be generally available – at least while the Elizabeth plant keeps running – and will sit above the existing $95,990 430kW/730Nm GTS (pictured) in terms of both price and outputs from its 6.2-litre supercharged V8.

The flagship farewell model picks up the W1 designation because the LS9 engine will be installed at the Walkinshaw-owned company’s Clayton facility rather than Holden’s Elizabeth plant, as is the case with LSA and – soon to be discontinued – LS3 models.

It’s a similar naming convention to the limited-edition W427 of 2008, which was powered by a 7.0-litre (427 cubic-inch) LS7 V8 also installed at Clayton.

It appears certain that the W1 will be the most expensive HSV ever, with pricing at or north of $170,000, usurping the $150,000 ask for the W427.

And it will also be the most powerful HSV ever, with power and torque figures very close to the 476kW/820Nm outputs of the Corvette.

It could be lower or, mind-bogglingly, it could be higher depending on where local noise and emissions homologation work ends up.

Whatever those outputs, they should deliver a 0-100km/h sprint time of four seconds or less, and 0-400m times close to 12.0 sec, making the W1 the fastest production car ever built in Australia.

To achieve it you’re going to have be adept with three pedals as the W1 will be Tremec TR-6060 six-speed manual only, although HSV is understood to have pushed a fair way down the path of automatic transmission development before raising the white flag for cost and durability reasons.

Excitingly, HSV’s W1 development work is understood to have spread far beyond the driveline.

Motoring.com.au has learned HSV has ditched the MRC magnetorheological dampers for the GTS-R W1, instead opting to go with the Australian-developed Supashock damper.

Designed and manufactured in Adelaide, Supashock and its owner Oscar Fiorinotto has forged a relationship with HSV via its sister organisation, the Holden Racing Team, which uses them in its Commodore VF Supercars.

Fiorinotto is understood to be developing a new-specification billet damper specifically for the W1, featuring advanced damper technology.

This is the second Aussie performance project Fiorinotto has been associated with in recent times, as he is also supplying dampers to the new Tickford range of hot Fords being developed by Prodrive.

Only the W1 is expected to get the Supashock dampers, which will be adaptive but -- unlike the MRC suspension in the current GTS – non-adjustable.

However, both GTS-R models are in line to upgrade to an even more powerful AP braking specification than the current top-spec six-piston 390mm front disc combination offered by HSV. But don’t expect carbon-ceramic stoppers.

Wheel size isn’t expected to climb from the top current HSVs' staggered 20-inch set-up front and rear, nor will we see carbon wheels.

The GTS-R name was first used on a limited-edition model based on the VS Holden Commodore in 1996. Powered by a bored and stroked 230kW 5.7-litre version of the venerable Holden V8, it stood out with its bright yellow exterior paint and large rear wing with carbon-fibre inserts.

Whether the reborn GTS-R and W1 will follow this extravagant styling path is as yet unknown, although there is no doubt they will feature unique flourishes developed by HSV design chef Julian Quincy.

The process of building the W1 will be complex. Complete GTS models will be shipped from Elizabeth and then upgraded at Clayton with the LS9 engine and other unique items such as Supashock dampers.

The LSA engines will be sold off to recoup some of the cost, which is said to be substantial for the LS9 at around $30,000 per unit.