Exclusive: HSV E Series 2 range spied
August 7, 2009 by George Skentzos
CarAdvice can exclusively bring you the first spy photos of the next generation Holden Special Vehicles E Series 2 range, in cooperation with Pavle.com.au.
Unlike its Holden companions, the HSV E2 range has received an extensive redesign and boasts a radically different appearance to its predecessors.
Immediately obvious is the new front fascia with integrated LED driving lights together with a new Pontiac G8-style vented bonnet.
Buyers will also be able to choose from at least two front fascia styles, as showcased with the W427-inspired blacked out mouth style on the R8 Tourer in these photos.
At the rear, the new E2 range receives a far more aggressive diffuser with rakish oversized vents and twin oval exhausts.
A bi-modal exhaust will feature as standard on the GTS and as an option for the Clubsport R8 and Senator Signature, unleashing full noise from the LS3 V8 engine at the touch of a button.
To further differentiate the GTS as the brand’s performance flagship; it will boast a high output version of the LS3 6.2-litre V8 engine, bringing power up to 320kW.
The GTS and Senator Signature have been lowered 8mm closer to the asphalt for an overall ride height of 112mm, while the Clubsport R8 loses 3mm, going down to 117mm.
The brake package remains identical for the Clubsport R8 and GTS, while the Senator Signature receives the same size brakes fitted to the HSV W427, 378mm front, ventilated, and 350mm rear, ventilated.
The GTS will now be fitted with 20-inch by 8.5-inch wide wheels at the front and 20-inch by 9.5-inch wide at the rear as standard, while the Clubsport R8 and Senator Signature receive 19-inch by 8-inch and 19-inch by 9.5-inch, front and rear respectively.
Print it: 
Crouchy with you. I just went and saw the pics and they seem to have also Fckued up the Senator, the only HSV with any credability. If they can remove the vents from fornt and rear then i would think it would be ok. Hope the G8 hood is optional.
You’re probably right – Wheels or Motor magazine will most likely devote almost half of the next issue to the slight changes to the car.
But why wouldn’t they do an in-depth preview/review of the VE-2? given that they are both Australian car magazines and the Commodore/Clubbie is an Australian built car. A car that a considerable percentage of their readers either own or aspire to own.
It would seem really weird for them to take up 50 pages on a car which isn’t built here or sold here a car like the Veyron… Don’t you think?
Not only that but no one is forcing you to read or buy the magazine are they?
Isn`t it funny how European cars ride fine in other countries, I will give everyone a tip its not the cars, its our crappy, pathetic excuse for roads. The thing that amuses me on here is that certain people think that a HSV or an FPV is a sports car. LOL, that has to be the most hilarious thing I`ve ever heard in life. Oh and the M3 wins because it is a Sports car and a VE GTS is a Taxi with a big motor and wheels.
Why didn’t HSV take design cues from the Coupe 60? I thought that was going to the evolution of the current VE design. For a car based on a generic design, it was a stunning concept and one that would of worked under HSV.
is it just me or do you guys see some “evo” in the new holden’s. where is holden getting their inspiration from.
They’re getting it from no other than the Australian public. Who cares about design changes? Their rubbish is bought anyway.
Are they trying to use up a stockpile of leftover Pontaic G8 bonnetts?
Oh my that car has been smacked by the ugly stick. Love the inspired black out style from Ford, shame the rest is straight out of Korea.
The looks are a mix of too many different design ideas & looks too messy for me.
I thought the LEDs would be a nice new way for HSV to differentiate from normal Commodores but they look like a tacked on after thought to me which makes sense as I guess that’s what they are when you think about it.
Disappointing they haven’t done more with the wagons rear too it was understandable on the early models but surely they’ve had time to do something with it or drop it.
I never thought the AU Series 1 Falcon would be surpassed as the Australia’s most ugly car but HSV you have done it. Seems the finacial crisis has finally hit Holden and they now have a blind 7 years old designing the new HSV.
Does this car come with a vomit bag as standard or is it an option?
Good work HSV, this gem rates up there with the Piazza Turbo and lets hope HSV now have a deal with “Sale” on channel 9, because it was the only place they would get rid of the Piazza.
I find it astonishing that the Australian performance division of this US company is still pushing the snake oil of Lutz genre machines in this day and age.
Given the mass of tax payer funding that has gone into this organisation and its’ new incarnation I would have expected diesel or diesel electric derivatives rather than a larger scoop on the bonnet.
You would have to be ten cents short of a dollar to even consider the purchase of one of these machines given alternative drives available.
Jon,
Please dont use the term taxi and Commodore in the same breathe. Taxi owners and drivers require a car to be honest and reliable, cars that can travel 800,000 kilometers with basic servicing. This is why the majority of taxi’s are Falcons.
I guess in typical Holden fashion with “Smoke and Mirrors, marketing”. They have tried with the VE 2 HSV’s by going for then ugly AU series 1 theme, but have failed to back it up with a drive line reliability like the Falcon. They continue to use a engine/transmission which is far worse than the 20 years old VN V6 and the oil burner, piston slapping V8.
Got to love the Holden posts on this site. Filled with Ford fanatics who want a piece of Holdens lime light and Euro lovers who need to justify why they paid more for the badge on there bonnet. You lot are always good for a laugh.
nb. Never owned a V8… nor a V6 for that matter. No fanboy of either Ford nor Holden in this camp.
Up until these pics, I thought HSV were, of late, producing some “desirable” differentiation from standard Commodores.
That has changed now, if these are real, I’m shocked at how terrible they are.
Those Daytime Running Lights are hideous! OMG! Could they have been any less creative with their placement?!
Not good HSV, not good.
Billy its not the seven year olds fault. with the amount of funding HSV has they couldnt design a wheelnut .
Shak I guess you are right. I hear there are a heap of people down adelaide who have had shifts cut and an unknown future.
Still 3 million bucks was well spent on V8 supercars.
Bit of confusion here who actually owns HSV……
UGLY, UGLY, UGLY!!! well done holden on making the ford a better buy….. this thing is the worst holden iver ever seen….. watch the fords fly put the showroom cmpared to this!!
Billy, Reuss said that he would cut funding at the end of 2010 but with him gone now, the reckless spending will continue.
Ohh my god……that is fully sick bro. Can i get that kit to suit VS maate.:) NOT!!!!
Great car for Top Gear segment – What were they thinking!
Shak, it’s ok that reckless spending occurs as GMH now have the Australian taxpayer to help prop up the company means alot to Australia.
GMH hit an iceburg, and we have the Australian taxpayer with buckets at thew ready to help bail out HMS Holden. Sorry it’s a lost cause and Govenment Motors will dump Holden as soon as gets a chance.
‘The worst looking car I have seen in years.’
I think it looks better then the current commodore hsv, but still doesnt have the looks of the fords/fpv, looks to cap backward bad boy then aussie muscle. The power will only be 320kw? Thats abit of a shock, ive heard fpv’s new 5.0ltr will go out to 335kws or around there, from a 5.0ltr!!! Bring it on baby!!!!!!!
Everytime I look at the photographs of the new HSV; I am gradually getting used to the look of it..
However; I don’t like the “Nostril” Bonnet – they just look like a tacky after-thought.. I think something like the Bonnet scoop off of the current WRX would look alot better [at least its functional]
i am so disappointed with these pictures. i to do agree that there is to much happening and whats with those vents in the rear bar. i am definately not a fan of the pontiac bonnet either. if i was looking for a locally produced ’sporting taxi’ fpv are far better prospect, and this is from a holden/hsv fan. is it possible to say i much rather the fpv, i guess i just did
These new HSVs are tacky. Chintzy US inspired styling with no cohesive continuity or flow.
I used to love the Styling of past HSV’s but it seems with each new iteration since the VZ series, they are losing touch with the euro insired styling cues and heading for the God awful ground effects and “look at me” plastic fantastic US look. Actually, even the new breed of American muscle like the Dodge Charger R/T and the Chevrolet Camaro are more connected in their styling lines and themes.
So what type of buyer do HSV think these ghastly monstrosities attract again? Surely it couldn’t be the Aussies or the Brits.
OMFG!!!! How ugly are these things? What absolute Rubbish! I just cannot believe that HSV would sign off on such God awful styling. It’s a dog’s breakfast just to look at. YUK!!!
HSV what were you thinking???