GO
GoAutoLogo
MENU

Make / Model Search

New models - HSV - ClubSport - LS3 V8 range

First drive: HSV evolves its breed with new LS3 V8

Slicker sedan: Bigger new V8 offers more power and similar fuel economy.

HSV improves its breed, ever so slightly, with its upgraded 317kW LS3 V8 range

13 May 2008

HOLDEN Special Vehicles is bucking the trend toward downsizing by switching to an even bigger V8. The performance outfit has upgraded its range with a new 6.2-litre LS3 V8 straight out of the crate from the US.

A hefty total of 317kW at 6000rpm (up 10kW on the previous 6.0-litre LS2) hands HSV's new E-Series range the title of the most powerful Australian-made vehicles, pipping the upcoming Ford Performance Vehicles (FPV) GT by just 2kW.

When it comes to torque, the new HSV LS3 produces 550Nm at 4600Nm - 1Nm less than the GT and 15Nm less than FPV’s F6 turbo.

The engine has the potential to produce more torque, but HSV was forced to limit the maximum torque figure to 550Nm because that is the maximum that the automatic transmission and differential is rated for.

The LS3 engine, which is currently serving in the Chevrolet Corvette, will also be fitted to HSV cars exported to the UK and the Middle East as well as the Commodore-base Pontiac GXP in the US. It uses an alloy block and head, but is still a pushrod design.

20 center imageWhile the figures suggest the LS3 is only a minor step forward from the LS2, the changes are considerable. They include high-flow cylinder-heads, valvetrain revisions including a larger hollow intake valve, stronger block, higher flow injectors and intake manifold and new pistons.

GM has increased the bore to 103.25 mm, but the stroke remains at 92.0mm.

While the Gen IV V8 fitted to the Commodore range will be soon upgraded with displacement-on-demand technology, which can deactivate three cylinders to save fuel when cruising, no such feature is available for the LS3.

HSV engineers have recalibrated the six-speed automatic transmission to take advantage of the new engine’s characteristics for faster shifts and more intuitive responses to driver input.

The existing six-speed manual gearbox continues, with all HSV cars now running a new large transmission cooler mounted in the grille.

Fuel economy figures for HSV cars fitted with the LS3 are up slightly or down slightly depending on the selected model.

The ClubSport R8, GTS and Senator automatics use 0.1L/100km more for a total of 14.5L/100km and the R8 and GTS figures are up by the same amount for a total of 15.3L/100km.

Fitted to the WM Grange, the LS3 uses 0.2L less for a total of 15L/100km, the R8 auto uses 0.2L less for 14.7L/100km and the Maloo R8 manual uses 0.1L less for a total of 15.7l/100km.

HSV has not changed anything else on the cars, except for a slight revision to the paint palette and a new set of optional wheels.

The rims, which measure a massive 20 inches, had previously been available on the GTS but are now available on other models for $2500.

The company has also changed the brake calliper colour on its Senator Signature and Grange from red to silver in response to customers who wanted a more understated look.

Prices across the range have risen by 1.3 per cent and 2.8 per cent with the upgrade. The range starts off with the Maloo R8 ute at $61,550, while the ClubSport R8 is the first of the sedans at $64,550 and the GTS is $76,990.

Optioning an automatic on these models adds $2200. The automatic-only Senator Signature costs $79,190 and the long-wheelbase Grange is $84,690.

HSV LS3 V8 range pricing:
Maloo R8 $61,550
Maloo R8 (a) $63,750
ClubSport R8 $64,550
ClubSport R8 (a) $66,750
GTS $76,990
GTS (a) $79,190
Senator Signature (a) $79,190
Grange (a) $84,690

Read more:

LS3 for HSV


GoAuto can help you buy a new ClubSport

Customer Terms and Conditions – New Car Lead enquires

Agreement

This is an agreement between GoAutoMedia Pty Limited ACN 094 732 457 of PO Box 18, Beach Road, Sandringham, VIC, 3191 (“we/us”), the owner and operator of the GoAuto.com.au website (“the website”) and the person wanting GoAuto.com.au to provide them with a lead for the purchase of a new car (“you”).

By completing a New Car Lead Enquiry, you agree to the terms and conditions and disclaimers and acknowledge the policies set out below.

Terms and Conditions

  • In order for us to effect a lead you must you must complete a New Car Lead Enquiry (“Enquiry”).
  • We will call you as soon as possible after you complete the Enquiry and certainly no later than the next business day. When we call, we will discuss with you your new car requirements.
  • You consent to our passing on the Enquiry and your requirements to an appropriate authorised motor car dealer as a lead.
  • We will contact you again in approximately eight days following your initial enquiry to check on the progress of the Enquiry.
  • While we will provide the dealer with the Enquiry and details of your new car requirements, we take no responsibility for what happens after passing on that material as a lead.
  • You acknowledge that we are a new car information service providing new car editorial information, pictures and prices to our customers as a guide only. Any new car prices published on the website are the manufacturers’ recommended retail prices and do not include delivery charges and on-road costs. Any authorized motor car dealer to which we pass on your Enquiry as a lead will provide you with full details of the price at which the vehicle will be sold to you.
  • You acknowledge that we do not sell motor vehicles. Any sale of a new car to you by a dealer after we have passed on your Enquiry to that dealer as a lead, is a sale by that dealer not by us.

Privacy Policy– New Car Lead Enquires

  • We take privacy very seriously. We understand that you will only complete an Enquiry if you can trust us to protect your personal information and use it appropriately. Our policy is to ensure that the personal information collected when you make an Enquiry is only used for the purposes of connecting you with an authorised motor car dealer.
  • We do not on-sell information collected from you or any other customer.
  • From time to time, we may email you with information or promotions that may be relevant for car buyers. You will continue to receive communications from us unless you tell us that you do not want to receive any advertising or promotional information in the future by unsubscribing from these communications.
close
* Denotes required field
** Australian inquiries only

Click to share

Click below to follow us on
Facebook  Twitter  Instagram

HSV models

Catch up on all of the latest industry news with this week's edition of GoAutoNews
Click here