HSV Gen-F prices: flagship GTS sneaks under $100k

HOLDEN hot-shop HSV has passed on some – but not all – of the VF Commodore’s price cuts in its new range of Gen-F street machines.

Set to roll into showrooms in mid-June, the Gen-F range will, naturally, get the VF Commodore’s all-new cabin, lightweight aluminium components and new active safety technology.

The range will also be headlined by a blistering 430kW/740Nm supercharged GTS version that takes the mantle as the fastest and most powerful home-grown production car to date.

Some variants will also get price reductions of between $3000 and $4000, although it should be noted that these are lower than Holden’s VF cuts of up to $9800 on the hardcore SS-V.

Nevertheless, sedan pricing will be rolled-back to its lowest point since 2003, with the 317kW ClubSport kicking off at $60,990 plus on-road costs (down $4000).

The price of entry to the range in unchanged, however, with the Maloo ute still starting at $58,990.

The ClubSport can also be optioned-up into 325kW R8 guise for $71,290 (down $210) or an extra $1000 for the Sportwagon), while the Maloo R8 is unchanged at $68,290.

Both the luxury 340kW/570Nm Senator Signature and the long-wheelbase Grange are $3000 cheaper, at $83,990 and $85,990 respectively.

The thundering GTS, meantime, will scrape in under $100,000, priced at $92,990 in manual guise ($95,490 for the six-speed auto) when it goes on sale in September.

As already widely reported, Australia’s fastest production Commodore – and the jewel in HSV-s crown – will feature a 430kW/740Nm supercharged 6.2-litre V8 under its aluminium bonnet The showstopper gets a three-mode suspension setting and even beefier six-piston brakes package, and is also the first HSV model to take advantage of technology known as torque vectoring, designed to help with cornering by braking the inside wheel and sending power to the outer.

Standard features across the range reflect many of the running changes introduced to the VF Commodore, with a few HSV-inspired twists.

Carried across from Commodore are the MyLink entertainment system with satellite navigation, foglights, an electric parking brake, keyless entry and start, front and rear parking sensors linked to a reversing camera, a blind-spot warning system that also lets the driver know if they are about to reverse into the path of an oncoming car, and even Holden’s semi-automated parking.

That self-steering ability is also a Commodore carry-over, with the large car picking up an electric assist system to help with fuel economy. Buyers who opt for a six-speed automatic version of the HSV will also get remote starting so, on a hot day, the car will fire itself up and run the air-conditioner before you even get to the door.

HSV’s touches include a “driver preference dial” that allows the driver to select different suspension settings and steering weights, a launch control program for the six-speed manual cars, 20-inch alloy wheels that shed kilos, and beefier brakes.

The Clubbie R8 adds leather seats, machined alloy wheels, BOSE audio, Bi-Modal mufflers, an enhanced driver interface and the aforementioned power boost. The R8 version of the Maloo also adds a hard tonneau with a Performance Sail Plane.

The less-lairy Senator and long-wheelbase Grange executive models add the third generation of HSV’s magnetic ride control, which this time around includes an extra set of coils that can instantly reverse the polarity of the iron filings used to stiffen up the suspension.

Unlike the previous version, switching between the comfort and sport modes is instantaneous rather than having to wait for the polarity to slowly fade away. Both lose the twin nostrils for a more corporate, chrome-ringed single grille, and gain niceties including heated sports seats, and wheels finished in a stainless-steel look.

HSV will also offer new options, including a $4995 SV performance package on the R8 versions, that upgrades the V8 engine to 340kW and 570Nm, and adds some cosmetic tweaks including a special spoiler and wheels.

HSV Gen-F pricing:*
ClubSport	$60,990
ClubSport R8	$71,290
ClubSport R8 Tourer	$72,290
Maloo	$58,990
Maloo R8	$68,290
Senator Signature (a)	$83,990
Grange (a)	$85,990
GTS	$92,990
*On-road costs extra