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OLDEN Special Vehicles has survived the
end of the locally made Commodore to
become the home of a more diverse range
of specialist GM models. After relying on
heavily re-engineered Commodore V8s for
three decades, HSV’s new niche is a mix
of import-based products headlined by a
local right-hand drive conversion of the
Chevrolet Camaro.
The American muscle car will be backed
up by converted Chevy Silverado pick-up
trucks and extensively enhanced Holden
Colorado utes in next year’s first wave of
the new-look HSV line-up. The right-hook
Camaro will be the latest version of the mid-line 2SS
model, powered by the LT1 6.2-litre V8 producing
340kW and expected to cost close to $80,000. While not
a direct rival on either price or volume, the Camaro will
naturally be compared with the hot-selling Mustang.
Approved by GM in Detroit, HSV’s conversions of
the US-made Camaro and Silverado will meet factory
standards of engineering and fit and finish. Its expertise
in OEM-level swaps from left- to right-hand drive was
developed by ASV, the associated – but very separate
- division of the Walkinshaw Automotive Group that
converts RAM pick-ups.
The last VF Commodore-based HSV was a W1
produced in December, also signalling the end of
operations at the Holden hot shop’s long-time base
at the Clayton Business Park in Melbourne. From
early 2018, HSV will join the rest of the Walkinshaw
Automotive Group at a new standalone site. The HSV
brand lives on, but in the background rather than as a
standalone nameplate.
HSV’s renewed long-term deal
as Holden’s performance partner
begins in January 2018 with the
start of production of the Colorado
SportsCat by HSV. Right-hand
drive Silverados follow in March,
with the first converted Camaros
due in June/July.
An updated version of HSV’s
iconic race helmet and lion head
logo will only appear on the
Colorado SportsCat, which will
H
wear HSV badges on the grille, wheel centre caps and
tailgate. The Camaro and Silverado will be marketed
as Chevrolets, with the only HSV identification likely to
be on vehicle compliance plates. Neither will get any
performance enhancements in the conversion process.
The Colorado SportsCat by HSV features major
appearance and suspension upgrades to the Thai-
built dual-cab ute, but the 2.8-litre Duramax diesel
misses out on performance improvements, never mind
dropping in a turbocharged V6 or a V8. Well, not for the
moment. A Super Colorado is in the works, powered by
GM’s twin-turbocharged 3.6-litre V6, but whether that
is a Holden-approved HSV project or a Walkinshaw
Performance mutant machine isn’t clear.
What won’t happen is the much-mooted twin-turbo
V6 high-performance four-wheel drive HSV version of
the ZB Commodore VXR. The blown motor’s previous
generation electronic architecture is incompatible with
the ZB’s latest electronic platform and would have cost
too much to adapt. While engine transplants may not be
possible with imported hatchbacks and sedans, HSV’s
realigned arrangement with Holden provides scope for
appearance changes and chassis improvements to a
broader range of vehicles.
The men who forged HSV’s new future were managing
director Tim Jackson and Monaco-based owner and
chairman Ryan Walkinshaw, the son of late founder
Tom. They sat down with MOTOR for an extended
discussion to outline HSV’s plans to prosper in a post-
Commodore V8 world.
How does HSV’s new deal with Holden work?
Tim Jackson: “It’s structured in a way that makes it
easy to pursue different platforms. Obviously, with the
Commodore platform coming to an end, the job has
been to work out, ‘okay, what does
the next phase of HSV’s business
look like?’ and that will definitely
look more diversified. Certainly,
keeping a foot in the performance
camp, but also looking at other
growth areas for the business.
“It is a massive undertaking.
Traditionally, we’ll deal with
one product at a time, so our
engineering group is probably the
biggest it’s ever been and they’re
“It’s been an
ambition to
expand
away from
just doing
Commodore”