In a move that will no doubt cause some controversy here in Australia, Holden (HSV) has released two new special Bathurst edition models into its overseas Vauxhall line-up.
The new Bathurst and Bathurst S Edition models bare an uncanny resemblance to the 40th Anniversary GTS, although also sport a few choice performance upgrades to go with the stripes.
With the addition of a Walkinshaw Performance 122 Supercharger, the 6.2-litre LS3 engine of the Bathurst S develops an enormous 417kW and 715Nm – well clear of our local W427 flagship.
The comprehensively engineered package also includes a large capacity intercooler, high-flow fuel injectors, a separate cold air intake and Walkinshaw-developed ECU map, while the standard manual gearbox is upgraded with a high-torque capacity clutch.
To reign in the extra horsepower on the supercharged model and give the normally-aspirated model some street cred, both Bathurst Edition models also boast a new Walkinshaw Performance brake and suspension package.
This includes a new set of six-piston callipers up front with four-piston down the rear, along with stiffer, height-adjustable springs and Walkinshaw-developed coil-over dampers.
The bespoke damper units have 15 separate valve settings with independent corner adjustment for the owner’s preferred setup.
To visually differentiate the Bathurst Edition models from the normal VXR8, they have received a near identical stripe package as the 40th Anniversary GTS.
Although in addition to this, the new models boast front fog light covers, ‘Bathurst’ badging, a console-mounted badge showing the car’s build number and ‘Walkinshaw Performance’ tread plates.
Finally, as a true track day prospect the Bathurst models also feature an optional Bi-Modal Exhaust system which offers two noise settings: ‘Street’, with an upper limit of 92dbA, or ‘Optimum’, which releases the LS3 V8’s full 102dbA.
The twin two-and-a-half inch stainless steel system also unlocks a further 7kW from the big V8 and adds a touch of class with unique chrome tail-pipe finishers.
In the UK, the standard Bathurst Edition is priced at around AUD$84,000 while the Bathurst S Edition comes in at AUD$99,500.
With such a large price gap in the Australian HSV line-up between the GTS and W427, it’s difficult to understand why Australians weren’t offered a similar package with the 40th Anniversary GTS.
