Holden Special Vehicles (HSV) is celebrating its 25th anniversary with the release of the updated ‘MY12.5’ range, which sees the return of two entry-level models and a number of modest specification enhancements across the high-performance Commodore-based range.
The HSV Maloo ute and HSV ClubSport sedan re-join the line-up, with both offered at driveaway prices: $58,990 and $64,990 respectively for the standard six-speed manual variants. With on-road costs factored in, the two new entry-level models represent a saving of more than $10,000 over their higher-spec HSV Maloo R8 and HSV ClubSport R8 counterparts.
The prices of all three R8 models, including the HSV ClubSport R8 Tourer wagon, have increased $3510 with the introduction of the mid-model year 2012.5 updates, and now range from $68,500 to $72,500 before on-road costs are added.
To account for the five per cent price increase across the R8 range, all three get an 8kW boost in power – taking the total output from their 6.2-litre V8 powerplant to 325kW of power and 550Nm of torque.
The upgraded 2012.5 R8 variants now also come standard with Blade Silver 20-inch SV Performance forged alloy wheels (replacing the previous 19-inch standard items) and leather seats, which replace the standard cloth from before.
The added features come on top of the already standard Enhanced Driver Interface (which incorporates a lap timer, stopwatch, and real-time information about the exhaust system, suspension and g-forces, among others), satellite navigation, rear parking sensors with rear-view camera and ‘Competitive Mode’ stability control.
The base model ClubSport and Maloo variants feature the slightly less powerful 317kW tune of the same engine and miss out on the bi-modal exhaust that is standard on the R8s.
The entry-level models also feature different 20-inch Pentagon alloy wheels, make do with cloth seats, and offer the Enhanced Driver interface system as a $1190 option.
The sailplane and tonneau cover that beef up the profile of the Maloo R8 are also a $3990 option on the standard Maloo.
A $3000 price increase for the HSV Senator Signature (now $86,990) sees it add the 20-inch SV Performance alloys in Dark Stainless along with Side Blind Zone Alert, which was previously optional. Like the Maloo R8, the Senator Signature can also be optioned with HSV’s six-piston brake package for an extra $3790.
To celebrate the brand’s 25th anniversary, all MY12.5 HSVs will feature commemorative build plates, internal ID plates, sill plates and a unique start-up screen on the interior display.
There are no other specification changes for the Caprice-based HSV Grange, which continues at $88,990, while the HSV GTS has not been updated at this stage, and continues in MY12 specification at $82,990.
The mid-model year updates freshen the E3/WM3 range – which hit showrooms almost two years ago in September 2010 – and breath new life into the local car maker’s portfolio in the lead-up to the launch of the updated Holden VF Commodore in 2013.
The return of the ClubSport and Maloo models makes HSV much more competitive on pricing with its natural rival, Ford Performance Vehicles (FPV), which offers the 315kW/545Nm FPV GS ute from $52,990 before on-roads and the FPV GS sedan from $57,990.
Production of HSV’s 2012.5 range begins on Monday (August 13).
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2012.5 HSV manufacturer’s list prices:
- Maloo manual – $58,990 driveaway
- Maloo R8 manual – $68,500 (+$3510)
- ClubSport manual – $64,990 driveaway
- ClubSport R8 manual – $71,500 (+$3510)
- ClubSport R8 Tourer manual – $72,500 (+$3510)
- Senator Signature – $86,990 (+$3000)
- Grange – $88,990 (no change)
Major Options:
- Six-speed automatic transmission – $2000
- Enhanced Driver Interface (ClubSport and Maloo) – $1190
- Six-piston brake package (Maloo R8 and Senator Signature) – $3790
- HSV Hard Tonneau and Performance Sailplane (Maloo) – $3990