HSV GTS-R
Clayton’s home-grown lineup bows out with a missile
XPECTATION is apparently the root of all heartache, but not if you’re an HSV fan in 2017. In an era defined by nonsense, self-interest and post-truth bullshit, there’s a warm-and-fuzzy feeling knowing that the final MY17 Holden Special Vehicles Commodore V8s will be bottlers. If you expected a bent-eight celebration rather than maudlin commiseration as Australia hangs up its manufacturing boots, then the Clayton crew have something for you.
Faced with the looming uphill battle of no more reardrive V8s to satisfy its muscle-car-loving customers, HSV knew it needed to produce something special to farewell an Aussie motoring icon. Something like the gobsmacking GTS-R W1.
Make no mistake, this isn’t a stripes-and-decals money-spinner, and nor is it merely a fettled upgrade with a brag-worthy new badge. It’s the frigging duck’s guts, fulfilling every muscle-sedan fantasy anyone could have ever dreamed of.
Even compared to its likeness – HSV’S ‘regular’ GTS-R sedan and Maloo GTS-R ute, each sitting above a series of ‘HSV 30’ anniversary models for 2017 – the W1 is on another level entirely.
Gone is the standard GTS-R’S excellent Magnetic Ride Control (MRC) adaptive-damper suspension for a fixed-rate Supashock set-up derived from that used by V8 Supercar racecars. And instead of the already-ballistic 6.2-litre supercharged LSA V8 featured in the GTS-R (tweaked to produce 435kw via a new K&N air filter), the W1 gets the dry-sumped, mad-hatter 474kw LS9 V8 shared with the iconic Chevrolet Corvette ZR1.
With a torque figure of 815Nm, the W1’s LS9 heart transplant also demanded a transmission that could handle the additional muscle. The existing Tremec TR6060 six-speed manual still has enough headroom in the MY17 GTS and GTS-R (each with 740Nm), but in HSV’S superhero, it cops a new MH3 close-ratio gearset from the Corvette, as well as a unique input shaft – rated at 850Nm – specifically for W1. And there’s a ZF Sachs twin-plate clutch with a solid flywheel.
About the W1’s only carryover item, if you could call it that, is the upgraded braking system shared with GTS-R sedan and ute. Monoblock forged-aluminium, six-piston calipers ensure there’s just enough room for massive fully-floating 410mm cross-drilled rotors up front, the set-up weighing 10 percent less than the GTS’S 390mm package, yet with a 25 percent increase in pad area. It’s the greatest braking system ever offered on an Australian production car, and in the W1, it works in unison with road-legal race tyres – namely Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R rubber measuring 265/35R20 up front and a phwooar-worthy 295/30R20 at the rear.
Our introduction to HSV’S greatest-ever line-up begins at the legendary Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit in Victoria, starting with the ‘standard’ MY17 Clubsport R8 LSA sedan and Tourer, Maloo R8 LSA ute and Senator Signature sedan, each featuring a new 410kw/691nm LSA engine tune (up 10kw and 20Nm) and a tweaked bi-modal exhaust system intended to enhance the V8’s addictive rumble.
With torque vectoring now standard across the entire range (previously just GTS), the ‘HSV 30’ cars prove that even at entry level, there’s more meat than an abattoir in every MY17 HSV. An engineered slalom course reveals that even the long-wheelbase Maloo R8 has the turn-in response and agility of a much-smaller car, backed by a deliciously ripe timbre from its new exhaust system, garnished with plenty of crackle and pop on overrun.
Full-noise track laps prove the beefy manual Maloo is one of the true gems in the MY17 range. Not only is it cheaper than its Clubsport R8 cousin (by $3000, making it the most affordable HSV) but the combination of its Caprice-derived wheelbase and lighter tail means there’s loads of throttle-adjustable amusement to be had at every turn.
In comparison, the shorter-wheelbase Clubsport feels tighter and grippier, with greater power-down ability and a neater, faster approach to track-lapping.
GTS- R W1 IS THE DUCK’S GUTS, FULFILLING EVERY MUSCLE- SEDAN FANTASY
Next up in rank and price is the new GTS-R model line. With the aforementioned power upgrade and braking package, not to mention bespoke front guards (12mm wider per side) with a bulging ‘Coke bottle’ shape that sees the panel crease next to the bonnet shutline swell outwards to house the super-fat rubber on the W1, the 435kw/740nm GTS-R sedan and Maloo GTS-R are clearly the alpha males in the HSV family when only the lesser Clubsport and Maloo are around.
The tweaked LSA V8 is definitely stronger, with a richer mid-range and fleshier torque, and there seems to be a greater emphasis on torque vectoring directing the GTS-R’S nose towards the apex, making it easier to get power down out of slower corners. It’s a superb combination, as if this is the car the Clubsport wants to be when it grows up. But it’s the monster braking performance that really stand out. The upgraded stoppers are phenomenal, pulling up the GTS-R consistently from 200km/h for Phillip Island’s secondgear hairpin, lap after lap, with incredible consistency.
Finally, it’s W1 time. The pair of pre-production cars we’re presented with are covered in black-and-white camouflage, and come equipped with either Warren Luff or Tony D’alberto riding side-saddle to make sure the cars return to pitlane in one piece. But the 474kw W1 is nowhere near as intimidating as its on-paper stats might suggest.
Its Alcantara-clad steering wheel and gear lever make a sensual first impression, yet so does its magnificent drivetrain. Forget the driveline snatch and immense clutch weight that used to go with the territory; the W1’s engine is sweetly tractable and its clutch achieves a remarkable combination of lightness and smooth, progressive feel, making it even easier to drive than a normal HSV.
As the motley W1 noses out of the pits, I squeeze the throttle flat in second gear and immediately swoon over its dirtier, old-school V8 exhaust note. The LS9 is an angrier engine than the LSA, with a proper ‘big-block’ burble, yet it’s also keener to rev, swinging the W1’s red tacho needle towards its 6600rpm cut-out with greater intensity than the normal GTS-R’S 6200-limited LSA.
And the gearing! The MH3 ratio set sees a staggering 98.5km/h in first gear, hence why HSV is currently claiming ‘only’ 4.2sec to 100km/h for the W1. But at the country-road limit, it’s ticking over at an almost-busy 1950rpm in sixth gear. Talk about close-ratio!
From the same right-hand hairpin that sees the GTS-R blast from in second gear, followed by a brief moment of full-throttle in third before Siberia’s uphill left-hander, the W1 hooks up its enormous rear Pirellis and delivers racecar-style corner-exit punch entirely in second gear. By the time it gets to Siberia, it’s only just brushing 6000rpm or so in second, yet it’s also clearly faster than the Lsa-equipped GTS-R.
HSV claims that so far in testing, the W1 is 4.4sec faster around Winton than a GTS, and driver Warren Luff puts roughly half of that down to its superb tyres. But there’s also the Supashock suspension, which feels more rigidly tied down than the GTS-R’S MRC set-up in Track mode, despite no longer being a pure coil-over arrangement like the race car. The spring and damper units have been separated, which means the W1 loses around five percent in ultimate chassis performance, but gains 95 percent in refinement according to HSV.
Indeed, HSV describes the W1’s on-road ride quality as “firm but not harsh”, and there’s no indication at Phillip Island that we shouldn’t believe the engineers. But with only two flying laps to experience what 300 lucky customers will following the start of GTS-R production in April, it’s that dirty LS9 shove and the immense capabilities of its tyres, brakes and handling that continue to be rammed home, corner after corner.
Even in not-quite-finished guise, there’s no doubt the W1 is the greatest performance car Australia has ever been proud enough to produce. Even a small taste proves it’s way beyond expectation. Muscle-car butch with tangible doses of polish and refinement, it’s a fitting tribute to homegrown bent-eight bravado.
All hail W1.