Video: HSV E2 launch control demonstration with Garth Tander

By George Skentzos | September 09th, 2009

Australian V8 Supercar driver and HSV ambassador Garth Tander demonstrates the launch control function featuring on all manual variants in the new HSV E Series 2 range.

It works by selecting Competition Mode on the ESC setting, then engaging the clutch and selecting first gear. Finally, mash the throttle to the floor to build the revs then side-step the clutch for a perfect launch every time.

Ben

Oh man can’t wait for the official 0-100 time I reakon 4.5sec …. Starting to like the new look would have one in black

Ryan

I agree with you will be quite interesting to see a 0-100 time. Reading through the comments the looks have certainly polarised the public, but I think it’s a look that will grow on people. But I think that hsv could not loose from a more refined look in the future. But I think the performance and performance options will be the biggest selling point

Devil666

That is a beautiful sound!!!!!!
Shane

NOT an Australian first for a production car as claimed by HSV. Ford released the launch control on their manual FG XR6 Turbos. Whilst it is a great to have on a manual car and its good to see HSV has adopted it, HSV need to correct their statements.

Shak

HSV never said this was an Australian first, some of their upgrades were but not this. HSV’s marketing dept is very smart at twisting words.

shane

On their website, the “Launch Control Demo” link is quoted as follows “In a first for an Australian production car, Launch Control makes maximum acceleration become second nature in manual E2 HSV’s, with total control all the way to the red line”. Don’t know about you but that is pretty black and white!

Shak

Srry bout that mate, i just read the press release and they never said that stuff, but i followed the link and your right

shane

It seems strange for HSV to do something like that??? Maybe they weren’t aware, Ford never really advertised their launch control system in any way. Ford should do better next time!

crouchy

They will probably claim that its an “Australian first for a HSV production car” lol

You know, like being the worlds biggest in the souther hemisphere..

DG

If the aussie car makers want to improve on their 0-100 time and keep up with their apparant “german” rivial (will never be competition), they should maybe start thinking about engineering a dual clutch system for their autos…… every VW auto has one……. time for HSV to step up

axe

HSV with a dual clutch transmission……….are you serious? There still using a pushrod engine that’s over 50 years old and they think that is normal. They just open up the shipping Crete with the imported engines from the US and away they go. HSV is just a tuning company; with all respect it’s not a real car company. If you look at it this way they grab the SS from the Holden and tune the motor and suspension and change the bumpers give you a few options and away they go. I’m sure your local tuning workshop could do a similar job. I laugh every time a new HSV is released all they do is retune the engine and make minor cosmetic changes like front /rear bars and wheels, and they fool the public into thinking its all new. On this note I do admire HSV/Holden’s marketing team they do a great job in convincing the public of this. Lets be honest the interior is dated badly, and the exterior is not far behind. Its clear that GM financial woes have taken a blow on Holden. There improving the mechanics but have left the design untouched. I can’t see the exterior going down well with customers for the next 4 years.

At this stage your probably thinking I am a crazed ford fanatic ……sorry I am not. I am an engineer looking at it from an engineer’s perspective. I think its time we get a new HSV, with an Australian inspired engine for a start. Ford can do it and its sales figures are a lot less than Holden.

Like me most Australians I defend HSV in public and when I go overseas, to the bone just because it’s Australian. I think HSV needs to catch on real quick and stop turning out the same machinery.

whatefa

So is your point that the HSV V8 offering is gutless, or doesn’t like to rev, or is uneconomical, or has insufficient torque, or isn’t fast around a racetrack…?

Robin Graves

I think what he’s saying is that the engine is an antique from the 50′s that has just been tarted up. Every other decent manufacturer has had overhead cam since the late ’60s. Its called valve train inertia. To make the pushrod engine rev they need heavier valve springs to stop bounce. This wastes more energy and wears out valve train components quicker. The engines perform well but they could be even better if they brought them into the 21st century. Holden have always done this, and will keep doing it when people that aren’t any wiser keep buying them. Look at the Red 6, sold until the early ’80s with a 9 port head. Valiant had a 12 port head in the S series!

whatefa

That’s very nice, but it’s avoiding my question…

JML

“HSV V8 offering is gutless?”
6.3 litres of dumb American brute force guarantees it’s not “gutless”. In fact sitting at idle, it feels like the engine’s going to rattle off its mounts.

“doesn’t like to rev?”
Correct. Compare Euro V8′s that rev freely to 8000rpm (in some instances).

“or is uneconomical?”
Correct. HSV V8′s are well known for their fuel-guzzling ways.

“has insufficient torque?”
Peak torque, no. High torque early and across the whole rev band, yes.

“or isn’t fast around a racetrack…?”
Consistently spanked by Euro V8s.

Carfanatic

They should dump the current range for the LC3 Supercharged Northstar. Then begin developing a larger capacity Northstar. At least it’s a higher tech engine.

Mitch1

These comments really iritate me

This isn’t a BMW m3, it is a cut price performance car, the LS3 engines are very easy to modify, light, cheap to build, and perform brilliantly.

Not to mention don’t have inconveniences such as timing belts.

Anytime anyone mocks the engines for being “pushrods” alone, it really shows their idiocy imo.

axe

Im not looking at figures im looking at the image HSV is creating of australian engineering all over the world. let me make it simple for all those who cant get there head around it

5.0lt——-need more power, so
5.7lt——-need more power, so
6.0lt——-need more power, so
6.2lt——-need more power, so
7.0lt——-need more power, so……\\

its not joke anymore.

Lets move forward, quad cams, multivalve, with some VCT, and direct injection. hang on a good start will be there new v6, add 2 more cylinders maybe a turbo or supercharger if needed…….. i know its not as simple as that but belive me its a start. I think HSV is running out of puff…i bet if they had the cash we would already have this engine.

crouchy

You are right that all they do is tune the cars that are provided for them. You mean like Techart? Ruf?

Its not HSVs fault they are given such old technology to work with. Im sure they would love to be tuning super modern engines but they cant and they do what they do to differentiate the cars from their donors.

Look at GM as to why the engines are so long in the tooth, not Hsv.
mitch

yeah apart from the different engine displacements, They do a lot more than change suspension upgrades and some tuning.

axe

p.s. to measure up how bad Holdens financial woes are, they have failed to rectify a design problem witch they have received plenty of negative feed back about. Those annoying fat oversized A pillars are still there….. You can’t be serious Holden.
If you drive a VE you will know what I am on about

Bucks

AMEN. What you said ^^^^. My Dad has had a few scares in his VE both thanks to the A Pillar, guttless V6 and the indecisive Auto.
Matty B

Yeah but that’s going to be part of commodore for a long time, changing anything to do with the main shell is a massive change.

VT368rwkw

Heard from a relaible source that the GTS, if you use the race traction control settings and start up the car in netural, then a special race tune is unlocked that gives you over 350kw!!!!, wow they are big numbers HSV, lets see ford match that, It is going to embarass quite a few euro supercars with those numbers, watch out M5 drivers if you see one of these at the lights!!!!!

IronOreBananabender

That’s retarded, what is the default? Ignition timing I mean.
Andrew M

Isnt the car always started in neutral???
I know I always start in neutral

PSImonkey

Unless it’s started in Park and then it’s probably an auotomatic

crouchy

With a name like ‘vt368rwkw’ you are clearly an idiot. Your comment confirms this.

VT368rwkw

crouchy your the idiot here!!! do they call you crouchy cause thats what you have to do to get in the back of your AU, hahh hhaa!!!. mate you are typicaly gelous fordy gelous cause HSVs outsell fpv 4 to 1!!!!! and hsv’s 6ltr has more power than fpvs windsor. fords will be shut down in 2 years cause they have unrelaiable cars that keep blowing head gaskets go have a cry like dick johnson did when he crashed his green falcon ha ha hahah!!!

crouchy

Vt368rwkw… What makes you think i am a fpv supporter? I never mentioned my allegiance to either brand.

I wasnt having a go at HSV, i was having a go at you for making a ridiculous statement. ‘Unlock’ you say.. is this real life or are we playing Gran Turismo here???

PSImonkey

I reckon he means it just goes to another map setting on the ECU because I have heard this about the GTS as well, only on models with Bimodal exhaust though!
VT368rwkw

mate you obviously know nothin about new cars, i can understand cause your ford has a engine from the 60′s haaaa!!!The speical mode in GTS is a Killer and its guna put do 0-100 in 4.5 sec all day long,!!!!! I think youve hit your head a few to many times gettin out your AU!!!

crouchy

So you’re talking about competitive mode? Otherwise I haven’t heard anything about this secret power…??? FYI I drive a Vy commodore and wouldn’t touch an AU falcon… I just don’t feel the need to come on here and bash other brands~

moderndaydatsun

Quote “FYI I drive a Vy commodore and wouldn’t touch an AU falcon… I just don’t feel the need to come on here and bash other brands”
I dont think you could bash other brands driving a VY commodore about the bottom of the barrel