The greatest ever Australian performance car

[olds]

http://www.drive.com.au/new-car-revi...21-gvptw9.html

[GO FURTHER]

$169,990 plus on road costs...

I think a comment contained in the comments section below that article says it all...

"If the engine was the sole defining factor of what makes the greatest Australian built performance car, then the award comfortably goes to the last XR6 Turbos that were ever made in Victoria. The fact that the XR6's humble taxi cab engine was made in Victoria unlike the American sourced larger capacity Chevy yet has the potential to deliver similar performance characteristics is worth paying tribute in a museum in 40 years time."

[Pedro]

Can imagine the frontal area design team discussion ... "Let's put an angle here - yes there's only four there now - OK, let's put seven angles over here because there's only five at the moment - I know, let's make the front look like a praying mantis about to devour its prey. Yes! great thinking Claudius."

[Mercury Bullet]

Good car. But Australia's greatest performance car?

In my very humble opinion that title will forever rest with the XAGT Phase 4.

[Express]

Originally Posted by olds

http://www.drive.com.au/new-car-revi...21-gvptw9.html

I'll expand olds link to add the photos.

It's not overly attractive but I'd still own one but not in that revised version of an old hero colour, yuk.

HSV GTSR W1 new car review


This is the most focused, purposeful and driver-oriented model in Australian history.



21 April 2017

David McCowen



SEE LINK FOR VIDEO: 2017 HSV GTSR W1 video review
Behind the wheel of Australia's greatest performance car.



?This could have been a sticker pack.

With a couple of badges, a splash of colour and maybe a few extra kilowatts, Holden Special Vehicles could have called it a day.

The last run of Australian V8s was always going to sell out - so it would have been perfectly understandable for HSV to roll the arm over, phone it in and deliver a safe, predictable package.



HSV's GTSR W1 is the ultimate Australian muscle car. Photo: Mark Bean


Instead, it delivered the greatest-ever Australian performance car in a fitting farewell for the local manufacturing industry.

The HSV GTSR W1 represents a genuine attempt to transform the humble Holden Commodore into the best possible performance car. Engineers negotiated with Chevrolet to get hold of the engine used in the ultimate version of the previous-generation Corvette ZR1, a supercharged 6.2-litre motor that delivers 474kW and 815Nm outputs - well more than any other Australian-built car.



2017 HSV GTSR W1 - Photo: Mark Bean


Dubbed LS9, the motor features titanium internals, a race-spec dry-sump lubrication system and beefed-up six-speed manual transmission

The W1 treatment goes far beyond extra power.



2017 HSV GTSR W1 - Photo: David McCowen


There are wider front guards to accommodate bigger front wheels wearing fat Pirelli P-Zero Trofeo R tyres, arguably the most extreme rubber available on any new car today.

The rears are wider too, while the regular GTS' magnetic ride control suspension has been flicked in favour of Australian Supashock suspension as used by some V8 Supercar teams.

A beefed-up braking package includes 410mm two-piece front discs clamped by six-piston calipers, the seats, steering wheel and gear knob are now wrapped in Alcantara trim and there are genuine carbon fibre finishes to the rear spoiler, front guard vents and underbonnet air intake.

In short, there's plenty of equipment to justify the extra spend required to get hold of a W1.

Factor in development costs, a tiny 300-odd vehicle build run and the fact that there is zero possibility of amortising the investment across future models, and it seems no small miracle that this vehicle exists.

But we're so glad it does.



2017 HSV GTSR W1 - Photo: Mark Bean


Slipping into the driver's seat, the W1's cabin will be instantly familiar to anyone who has driven a late-model HSV. You sit in a generously proportioned seat with large yet soft bolsters, gripping a chunky steering wheel and stubby little gear shifter.

Prod the starter button and you're rewarded with a purposeful bark followed by a menacing, restless idle. Step on the stiff clutch pedal, shove the gearbox into first and you find surprisingly high gearing for a Holden - that Corvette sourced transmission is good for 60mph, just short of 100kmh - in first gear, so it's not exactly comfortable trawling around car parks or stop-start traffic at walking pace.

Traffic certainly isn't a strong point for the W1, which has no automatic transmission option and no stop-start fuel saving system. Like an athlete requiring thousands of calories each day to maintain their physique, the W1 burns almost 3L/100km of fuel at idle.

That economy doesn't improve on the open road, where the W1's enormous power and short gearing result in real-world fuel use well over 15L/100km (double that if you push the car hard) as the engine ticks over at more than 2000rpm on a 110km/h cruise.



2017 HSV GTSR W1 - Photo: David McCowen


While we're whinging, buyers prepared to pay $170,000 for a performance car should expect genuine carbon fibre interior trim in place of cheap-looking print, and they should also expect to benefit from modern safety features such as autonomous emergency braking or active cruise control, neither of which is available on the W1. Our test example, a pre-production prototype, also felt a little tired, with a few bumps and rattles you wouldn't expect from a car with just 5000km on the clock.

Those quibbles are unlikely to bother customers of HSV's sold-out flagship. And if they did, sales staff could be forgiven for suggesting they find another 450kW-plus car for less than $200,000, before calling the next name on a no-doubt lengthy waiting list.

Because the GTSR W1 is sensational to drive.



2017 HSV GTSR W1 - Photo: Mark Bean


That motor is truly magnificent, with a hard-edged bark that feels much more purposeful than HSV's usual fare. It revs harder than a normal GTS, feeling significantly stronger than its little brother at every point on the tacho.

There's a delicious soundtrack with all manner of growls, grunts and crackles that lend charming character to match its staggering shove.



2017 HSV GTSR W1 - Photo: David McCowen


The brand's engineers have done a beautiful job of integrating that laundry list of upgrades, resulting in a cohesive machine that isn't overwhelmed by the engine.

It's a confidence-inspiring machine, one you can really lean on when driving hard. Those new tyres and race-bred shocks lend the car outstanding grip and composure at pace, keeping the car hooked-up and in control. It flows beautifully on a demanding road, unfazed by camber, crests, potholes or patchy surfaces - ripping along with far more poise than lesser models in the range.

The W1's quick reflexes and taut control make for a magnificent combination. It feels keyed into the road in a way that no Australian car can match with aggressive rubber that rips into the road surface under brakes, on turn-in and power-down. You feel the potential of its purchase on the road and you can see graphically displayed on the in-dash G-force readout.

This is the most focused, purposeful and driver-oriented model in Australian history.

A hell of a lot more than a sticker pack.



2017 HSV GTSR W1 - Photo: Mark Bean



2017 HSV GTSR W1 pricing and specifications


On sale: Now (production begins in April)

Price: From $169,990 plus on-road costs

Engine: 6.2-litre supercharged V8 petrol

Power: 474kW at 6500rpm

Torque: 815Nm at 3900rpm

Transmission: Six-speed manual, rear-wheel drive

Fuel use: 16.5L/100km



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[DJR-351]

The only thing I can think of that would improve the look of that front end is the rear of a semi-trailer.....

[Ben73]

Thing is if this passed me on the street I wouldn't know if was the cheapest HSV or this one. Looks the same too me.

[Sioso]

Originally Posted by Express

It's not overly attractive but I'd still own one but not in that revised version of an old hero colour, yuk..

Agreed, it dates the car and brings up memories of the tiga mica VT's.

[Wretched]

Out of the factory, yes I would have to say it is probably one of, if not the greatest Australian produced performance car.
I am not aware of any other mass produced car on sale made in OZ that out performs it.
Happy to be corrected.

[b0son]

What Australian made production car delivers more performance than this? You can bitch and moan about the price all you like, we're not talking about bang for buck, just performance.

Ford had years to give us a GTHO, frankly they were too scared to deliver something that lived up to the nameplate because they've a history of under-delivering a complete package. Be thankful somebody give the last of the big Aussie V8s a fitting sendoff.

[olds]

Originally Posted by BAXRSIX

$169,990 plus on road costs...

I think a comment contained in the comments section below that article says it all...

"If the engine was the sole defining factor of what makes the greatest Australian built performance car, then the award comfortably goes to the last XR6 Turbos that were ever made in Victoria. The fact that the XR6's humble taxi cab engine was made in Victoria unlike the American sourced larger capacity Chevy yet has the potential to deliver similar performance characteristics is worth paying tribute in a museum in 40 years time."

Totally agree but the problem is "Fantastic motor in a taxi"

[Eaturbo]

Really is hard to find anything on this car that is underdone. While we buy Falcons and still need to replace half the drive train and cooling systems, this car is factory done tough. Credit where credit is due. Lucky there finshed with v8 Commodores cause they would never top this one

[MethodX]

At least its a V8, not a turbo... wtg GM.

[Falcon SXR8]

Clicked on this thread thinking it was guuna be about the phase 3 or 4 now i have the front end of that thing seared into my brain.......... she aint no looker but performance wise yep probablythe best.

[asagaai]

Originally Posted by Falcon SXR8

Clicked on this thread thinking it was guuna be about the phase 3 or 4 now i have the front end of that thing seared into my brain.......... she aint no looker but performance wise yep probablythe best.

Assuming you tune this and a GTF/FGX XR8 to get around the speed limiter, this car is not the quickest:

"As with all VFII-based products, however, the ‘Big Dog’ W1 is still speed limited to 250km/h (as is the entire HSV range). That said, HSV says the potential is there for the GTSR W1 to hit approximately 293km/h in sixth gear at 6600rpm (the LS9’s maximum revs)."

Bowe went faster in a GTF with standard tune with limiter off. So this is not the fastest car built in Australia. May be better handler accelerator etc.

By the way, what is the weight of this thing. Very hard to find weight, even on the HSV webpage with specifications page loaded.

That said- big thumbs up for the braking- they did that right.

[Blue Roo]

Originally Posted by DJR-351

The only thing I can think of that would improve the look of that front end is the rear of a semi-trailer.....

[b0son]

Originally Posted by asagaai

Bowe went faster in a GTF with standard tune with limiter off. So this is not the fastest car built in Australia. May be better handler accelerator etc.

Could you buy a GTF with the limiter off and Herrod heavy-duty tailshaft fitted? No.

By the way, what is the weight of this thing.

1850kg

[Wretched]

Originally Posted by asagaai

Assuming you tune this and a GTF/FGX XR8 to get around the speed limiter, this car is not the quickest:

"As with all VFII-based products, however, the ‘Big Dog’ W1 is still speed limited to 250km/h (as is the entire HSV range). That said, HSV says the potential is there for the GTSR W1 to hit approximately 293km/h in sixth gear at 6600rpm (the LS9’s maximum revs)."

Bowe went faster in a GTF with standard tune with limiter off. So this is not the fastest car built in Australia. May be better handler accelerator etc.

Plus a new drive shaft, not a stock one.

As an all round performance car, not just a hypothesised top speed performer, this has no peer....

[Iggle Piggle]

deleted

[arronm]

Great car. But Australian greatest performance car till now is the barra turbo. A car for all. All built and designed in aus.

Sorry but the old XY XA just don't have the performance. Was great in the 70s but it 2017 now and the old cars get smoked but mums shopping cart.

[asagaai]

Originally Posted by b0son

Could you buy a GTF with the limiter off and Herrod heavy-duty tailshaft fitted? No.



1850kg

Could you buy a GTSR W1 with limiter off- and I assume you mean standard oem? No.

And from what I read, the John Bowe GTF only had a Herrod heavy duty tailshaft put in as a precaution- it was not required as such for performance or the test.

So, what I said still stands, a GTF with tune limiter taken out is faster tested in top speed than a GTSR W1 with tune limiter taken out in its projected theoretical top speed.

Thanks for the weight information.

[Mechan1k]

The problem with this "great ever Australian performance car" is .... I've never seen one on the road. If it's that great .... we should be seeing more of them.

Although after seeing that front ... I don't really want to see it that often

As mentioned ... if you want Australian performance .... the XR6T is it ... as that HSV engine is all-American ... not Australian (as mentioned earlier).

[arronm]

HSV would say why gear a car for a top speed that can't be achieved many places. Not even the racetrack. So the falcon may be fastest but I think the hsv will be the quickest. And no falcon can compete with the strength of the components in the gts Hsv.

[ozrunner]

Originally Posted by Wretched

Out of the factory, yes I would have to say it is probably one of, if not the greatest Australian produced performance car.
I am not aware of any other mass produced car on sale made in OZ that out performs it.
Happy to be corrected.

But are they really "out of the factory" ???

Also happy to be corrected but from what I was led to believe "completed factory cars" are delivered to HSV who then strip them accordingly, ie whatever these were initially built as by Holden they are then delivered to HSV and have their engines pulled and a LS9 fitted plus all the other changes etc etc.

I cannot see how they could be classified as being a "factory" model when they were a base "factory" model when initially built by Holden and then modified by HSV.

[MethodX]

Originally Posted by ozrunner

But are they really "out of the factory" ???

Also happy to be corrected but from what I was led to believe "completed factory cars" are delivered to HSV who then strip them accordingly, ie whatever these were initially built as by Holden they are then delivered to HSV and have their engines pulled and a LS9 fitted plus all the other changes etc etc.

I cannot see how they could be classified as being a "factory" model when they were a base "factory" model when initially built by Holden and then modified by HSV.

Splitting hairs a little aren't you? they are sold new by Holden/HSV dealers.

Ford used American engines and mustang parts in its muscle cars, doesn't make them any less good.

[ozrunner]

Possibly but they are NOT initially factory built on Holden's production line as the car that it is eventually sold as.

[b0son]

Originally Posted by asagaai

Could you buy a GTSR W1 with limiter off- and I assume you mean standard oem? No.

Sorry, but I'm still trying to find 'fastest' somewhere in the thread title. But all I can find is people clutching at straws.

If you can swap a tailshaft, then you can swap diff ratios too. And if so, W1 any day of the week in a top speed run.

[PHawk]

"It's a little bit bulky" Hahahahaha!! Checkout whose driving :o)

[FTE]

Originally Posted by ozrunner

Possibly but they are NOT initially factory built on Holden's production line as the car that it is eventually sold as.

I guess it depends on what is deemed "factory".
Holden doesnt own HSV but do have an agreement.
All HSV cars start their build at Holden as an HSV, that means HSV have their allocation and Holden begin the build for them. They aren't a Commodore then get made into an HSV. They're earmarked well before production begins.
Holden begin the build and in the past have also installed the engines and transmissions for them to reduce cost. They did this even back in the 5.7l stroker days.
When HSV get their cars at their site they finish them off so as a secondary manufacturer it is factory.

[Pilko FNQ]

Couldn't warrant 170k for this unit, however would like a 2017 SS and have the last offerings from Ford and Holden in my garage.