HSV in radical roll out

HOLDEN Special Vehicles has announced it will roll out a series of radical new concept vehicles to showcase an ambitious departure in its future model direction.

In an effort to broaden its product range, HSV is expected to shock its traditional buying demographic by producing a number of significant new four and six-cylinder models.

Future HSV line-ups are likely to include sexier versions of everything in Holden's current range, including the forthcoming Cruz mini-SUV, as well as exclusive new models like the Astra turbo coupe, Speedster convertible and possibly even a turbo version of the Zafira mini people-mover.

"We will produce a series of concepts both to preview to the public our future model intentions and to test market them," HSV general manager Chris Payne told automotive e-news at last Friday's VXII HSV launch.

"Future product activity is our key strategy and we're talking to Holden at a pretty high level about how we can broaden HSV's appeal and product portfolio.

"Future HSV models will comply with a number of key criteria - whether it's Astra, Vectra, Commodore or whatever, it must be powerful, menacing, have a high feature list and be relatively rare and special," he said.

"We want to get back to core values without getting too greedy. It would be all too easy to become a ClubSport sausage factory." Mr Payne said HSV would call on the reach and expertise of both General Motors/Holden and Tom Walkinshaw Racing, the joint owners of HSV, to broaden the Clayton, Victoria, factory's model range.

"We're forging closer links with Holden and General Motors with the establishment of a new design and technical centre which will include our growing CAD operation," Mr Payne said.

"It will comprise more than 40 operators working on future projects for Holden and other clients. We will also open what will effectively be a new shop front and HSV/HRT showroom at Clayton during the first week of November to coincide with the HSV Nationals.

"In addition to the board we now have the HSV Strategy Council, which includes (Holden CEO) Peter Hanenberger and Tom Walkinshaw. We realise we won't be able to grow simply by adding parts to Commodores, so apart from new models we'll also be looking for what we call significant, structural 'HSV points of difference'." Mr Payne said HSV would convert and sell the Chevrolet Corvette in 2002.

The Clayton company has just completed its second Corvette conversion following the first joint-venture pilot for a customer and is refining its production procedures and carrying out customer clinics to determine pricing and volumes.

HSV has 20 forward orders for Corvette and confirmed the $150,000-plus V8 will be limited in number to 100.

HSV's biggest project at present is its Commodore-based coupe, which will be offered as two models known as the GTO and GTS.

As with HSV's imminent VXII range, the timing of HSV's Coupe will be staggered to follow that of Holden's Monaro by around one month, with production starting in December.

GTS to move to another level

HOLDEN will launch its VXII range of hot Commodores at the Sydney motor show - but don't expect the range-topping 300kW GTS to be there.

HSV is not expected to launch the VXII GTS until March next year when it should be boosted by a four-speed automatic gearbox - previously only a six-speed manual was available - more power from the Gen III V8 and possibly even four-wheel drive.

While HSV's Chris Payne would not be drawn on the possibility of all-wheel traction for the GTS, the technology is being developed by Holden for Commodore and HSV has been used as a technical Trojan horse before, the most recent example being the rear suspension control link which was added to the standard Commodores at the VXII update.

"Our GTS model positioning needs to move to another level. It needs to have a level of mechanical differentiation to appeal to our customers. Current owners would be interested in it (four-wheel drive) but not necessarily as standard," said Mr Payne.

"Four-wheel drive provides plenty of opportunities for us and we'd have to have a look at a four-wheel drive HSV - not just an SUV - but a performance model. But we'd need to ensure it maintains core values."