Australian Car Advice | News Blog

2007 HSV E series ClubSport R8 Road Test

“HSV’s ClubSport R8 is a first class sports sedan with breath-taking performance and sensational looks. At $62,890 it’s also the cheapest supercar on the planet”

1. A bit of history
2. How it goes
3. How it handles
4. Behind the wheel
5. Interior comfort
6. The Look
7. Safety Features
8. Cost of ownership

Test Model: 2007 HSV ClubSport with optional 6-speed automatic transmission

Options fitted: 6-speed auto - $2000

Standard kit aboard the R8 is not quite luxury spec, but delivers most of what you expect in the way of creature comforts. HSV gets an “A” for providing the ability to simply plug your MP3 player into the centre console and enjoy the sounds through the car’s audio system, something still missing on many Euro cars costing twice the price.

Recommended Retail Price: $64,890 (for the auto)

Where it sits: The most affordable 4 door sports sedan in the HSV range. There’s a reasonable jump to the GTS 6-speed manual, which retails for $75,990 and the auto version will set you back $77,990 which is the same price as the Luxury spec, Senator Signature.

If you’re a HSV diehard but these numbers are still too rich for your budget, you can always step into HSV’s VXR Turbo (HSV’s version of the Holden Astra) for $42,990. This is one very quick car, which we have driven, and will post the review shortly.

A Bit of History: Steep fuel prices don’t seem to have affected sales of Holden Special vehicles. 2007 May sales alone hit 435 cars, which is a remarkable result for a company, which launched their first car just 20 years ago.

One-hundred percent owned by the shrewd, Aussie-loving, race car mad Scott, Tom Walkinshaw, this “go fast’ car company knocked up its 50,000 car back in 2006, and with the current range of E series cars not yet fully launched, the future appears bright for this well established Australian car company.

There are around fifty-four HSV dealers in Australia, a sizeable number in anyone’s terms, with another 7 dealerships in neighbouring New Zealand. Interestingly, around 10% of all Holden cars sold in NZ, are HSV’s.

The UK is another big fan, with an annual allotment over the next 2-3 years of 300 cars per year. But they won’t be badged HSV, as the brand has little value in the old country. Instead, they will be known as the Vauxhall VXR8, and will be almost identical to the current R8 ClubSport here in Australia. The one thing I have noticed on the UK editions is a very cool race car like stop light in the middle of the rear diffuser skirt. If I am correct, then I’m a little peeved that the R8 ClubSport has missed out this very stylish feature.

You don’t enjoy this kind of success without some serious talent on the payroll, and HSV has had their share, particularly in the design department.

You might remember the legendary SV5000 in 1990? I had a minority share in one, along with my partner, the ANZ bank. It was the first Australian built car with 200kW under the bonnet, as well as a host of other engine and suspension modifications.

It was designed by Englishman Peter Stevens, of Lotus Esprit (1998 redesign) and McLaren F1 road car fame (get down on your knees and bow your head). Another design superstar, Ian Callum was next on the HSV podium. Ian drew the stunning Aston Martin DB7 and Vanquish. He’s currently design chief at Jaguar, where he created the current XK and XKR. When you’re hot, you’re hot.

It doesn’t end there. In 1999 Chief Designer at TWR UK (Tom Walkinshaw Racing) Neil Simpson took over the design reins at HSV until 2004, when current pen master, Julian Quincey came aboard. In my humble opinion, this likeable pommy has taken the company to new design heights with the R8 ClubSport and GTS models.

1. A bit of history
2. How it goes
3. How it handles
4. Behind the wheel
5. Interior comfort
6. The Look
7. Safety Features
8. Cost of ownership

Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Location: Home / Holden, Behind the Wheel, Sports Cars, Top Australian Cars / ...

Rate Post: (12 votes, average: 4.17 out of 5)
 Loading ...

-   

Print it: