Australian Car Advice | News Blog

Read more…

Then at 7.30pm on SBS, Top Gear presents a Pom’s view on Aussie Muscle with the HSV Clubsport R8, or Vauxhaul VXR8, being put through its paces as only Jeremy Clarkson can. There’s also a guest appearance from F1 ace Lewis Hamilton.

If you’re not going to be home set the DVD recorder as this is about as good as motoring TV gets… for now.

Hide It

Read more…

Now before we begin, remove purpose from this argument, because we well know these utes are essentially a sports car with a tray and that outright performance rates far more highly on the consideration list than payload or practicality in this instance. It’s this debate that in certain circles can start a bit of a ruckus.

You see most blokes see these utes as toys, or show ponies if you will, and more often than not will give a bit of lip to the well cut metro male for driving a ute that’s all go and show with no room to stow. But as we found out when it comes to at least one of the pair this criticism is well deserved.

The HiLux is a thoroughbred among working circles and has been, undoubtedly for very good reason, the number one seller in its class for sometime now. Consequently it would stand to reason that enhancing this tried and true formula even further should only improve the already accomplished package significantly - enter TRD.

Toyota Racing Development is the modern day moniker given to a collective of motorsport pedigree stretching back, in Australia at least, over fifty years. In 1957 a Toyopet Crown finished 47th in the grueling Australia Mobilgas Rally and years later, perhaps most notably for us, Corolla won their category two years running at Bathurst (1968-69). Since those humble beginnings Toyota’s motor racing success both at home and abroad has been a varied and triumphant juggernaut.

This heritage has now filtered down in to road going vehicles with HiLux and Aurion both receiving some special treatment, and for but a few simple modifications, TRD have made the current series HiLux not only more powerful, but more desirable and better looking as well.

Next page…

Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6

Hide It

Read more…

Not surprisingly, only 427 W427s will be built, however all will be built to order at the Clayton production facility. HSV will give each Australian and New Zealand HSV Dealer (64 in total) one W427 (as long as they have a firm retail order) while the rest will be allocated to dealers based on 2007 sales figures.

The all important figures? Tom Walkinshaw has just confirmed the final power output figure for the W427 will be 375kW and 640NM of torque.

From the outside you can tell its a W427 thanks to its all new exclusive front fascia, all new 3 piece rear spoiler in carbon fibre and all new 20 inch wheels.

The interior is treated with HSV E series performance seats in full red hot trim with W427 logo plus HSV steering wheel, gear shifter and console lid in full red hot leather trim.

Suspension is also different over the GTS with the new springs being 30% stiffer than the GTS, while the car sits 20mm lower than GTS as well. The rear gets stiffer suspension bushing, plus HSV has had to rework the Magnetic Ride Control calibration to suit new springs, ride height and bushing.

The W427 comes to a stop using 6 piston front braking system (50% increase in pad area) with 2 piece floating front rotors (380 x 35mm) compared to 365 x 32mm one piece on GTS.

Engine details:

• 7.0 Litre, LS7 Engine with HSV specific calibration
• 375kW @ 6500 rpm
• 640Nm @ 5000 rpm
• Over radiator style cold air induction system – with high flow air filter.
• Dry sump lubrication system with 2 stage pump.
• Hand fabricated aluminium oil reservoir, with baffles for high G loading.
• Front mount, 13 row engine oil cooler
• Ceramic coated, high flow 4 into 1 extractors
• High flow catalytic converters and exhaust system (3” into 2 ¾”)
• Active bi-modal rear mufflers
• Exhaust back pressure management
• Improved noise quality
• High strength limited slip differential
• New high strength 6 speed manual gear box (TR6060)
• GMPT LS7 Clutch with new actuator and pedal assembly for high clamp loads

Hide It

Read more…

As expected, both Touring models are likely to be spec’d in line with their respective sedan model grades, featuring the same 317kw LS3 V8 with the choice of either a six-speed manual or automatic transmission.

One keen-eyed LS1.com.au member has also managed to capture a short video of an R8 Tourer out and about on the streets of Melbourne.

From behind, the Tourer looks quite discreet, with only the HSV badging separating it from its SS-V counterpart - definitely comfort for some anticipating a Maloo-style rear makeover.

The R8 Tourer spotted in the clip also sports wheels identical to those found on the HSV W427 displayed earlier this year at the Melbourne Motor Show.

Source: LS1.com.au

Hide It

Read more…

The Tourer will also feature the new 317kW LS3 V8 engine, which is now standard across the HSV fleet.

HSV has so far only released one official image, with the aggressive rear-end treatment yet to be unveiled.

Although HSV has not yet revealed specific plans, there is also the possibility the Tourer could join its sedan cousins in overseas markets under the Chevrolet and Pontiac namesakes.

Hide It

Read more…

However those eager to put their names down for the limited production W427 may be deterred by the price tag, confirmed by HSV as being between $148,000 and $168,000 plus on road costs.

This is well above the initial estimated price of around $125,000 and could potentially see it hit showrooms at a premium of almost $100,000 over the standard HSV Clubsport.

To add insult to injury, the price may be set to rise by a further 8 percent in line with the recent increase to the luxury car tax.

This prices the W427 among the likes of the Mercedes C63 AMG, BMW M3 and potentially the new Nissan GT-R.

The V8 Holden Commodore has always been revered around the world as one of the best bang-for-buck performance cars on the market even in its HSV guise, but has the W427 pushed customer loyalty too far?

Source: LS1 Forums

Hide It

Read more…

Dyno tuning demonstrations and tours will also take place with the doors being thrown open from 5.30pm.

Walkinshaw Performance Parts is located at 1634 Ferntree Gully Rd, Knoxfield Vic.

Hide It

Read more…

Engineered by Tom Walkinshaw Racing, it is expected to retain the W427 namesake and will carry a price tag of around AUD$117,000 or £55,000 in the local money.

A bespoke suspension setup is also anticipated to suit UK roads, which may include the Magnetic Ride Control system featured on the HSV Clubsport GTS which is currently unavailable in the UK with the VXR8.

With the LS7 V8 engine churning out 370kW and 640Nm, 0-100km/h performance is expected to drop to just 4.5 seconds.

With these figures, the W427 is well and truly a competitor for the Audi RS6, BMW M5 and Mercedes C63 AMG - although this time the price tag does match.

Source: AutoExpress

Hide It

Read more…

The 6.2-litre LS3 engine is currently manufactured by General Motors Powertrain in North America and is used in the current Chevrolet Corvette.

In its HSV guise, maximum output of 317kW is achieved at 6000rpm, with maximum torque of 550Nm at 4600rpm - this is compared to 321kW and 424Nm achieved in the Corvette at near identical rpm.

Surprisingly, despite the added displacement, the LS3 engine will deliver a slight improvement in fuel economy for both the Maloo R8 and WM Grange, whilst the short wheel base models deliver 14.5L/100km as opposed to 14.4L/100km with the current LS2.

HSV’s export range will also receive the new LS3 powerplant, which includes the Vauxhaull VXR8 in the United Kingdom and the CSV R8 sold in the Middle East.

The obvious issue presenting current E-Series HSV owners is the logical blow to their resale value, with the LS2 having been made redundant by the now standard LS3.

Hide It