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Dream garage: What a 2021 Holden Special Vehicles range might have looked like

In this instalment, we explore what might have been if Holden's performance arm had continued as we know it.


With the demise of Holden in 2020, HSV has effectively been replaced by General Motors Specialty Vehicles which, initially at least, will focus on right-hand-drive conversions rather than high-performance makeovers.

However, after reimagining Holden's line-up last September, we've decided to take things one step further and dream of what HSV might have looked like if the brand had stuck around.

This reimagined 2021 line-up might not reflect the golden years of the HSV GTS-R, Clubsport, and Senator, but there's plenty here to get excited about.

Thanks to our resident Photoshop expert Alex Misoyannis, we've had a guess at what they might look like, too.



Chevrolet Silverado Panthera by HSV

The rise in popularity of full-size US pick-ups such as the Ram 1500 proves there's a market here for one of the most popular models ever created: the Chevrolet Silverado.

With a choice of either a 3.0-litre turbo-diesel putting out 170kW or a 6.2-litre V8 offering 313kW – both with 624Nm of torque – the Chevrolet Silverado Panthera by HSV may not be a performance car, but it can move.

HSV has the expertise to provide increased power options, as well as a suspension tune to suit Aussie roads. The Panthera isn't some wannabe off-road ute – this thing has been designed to eat up the highway.



HSV Adder

As a legitimate competitor to the BMW M3 and Mercedes-AMG C63 S, the HSV Adder gives buyers a subtler option into the sports luxury sedan segment, based on the recently-unveiled Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing.

Borrowing its name from a family of snakes, the Adder delivers 352kW of power and 603Nm of torque from a 3.6-litre twin-turbo V6, driving the rear wheels through a choice of a 10-speed auto or six-speed manual transmission.



HSV LinkSport

Owners of Commodore-based HSV products will find some familiarity with the HSV LinkSport, with the full-size sedan delivering a monstrous 498kW and 893Nm from a 6.2-litre supercharged V8 – making it the most powerful HSV sedan ever produced.

Based on the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing, the LinkSport will hit 100km/h from a standstill in under four seconds, but will offer a level of luxury which intended to steal customers away from the likes of the BMW M5 and Mercedes-AMG E63 S. The biggest difference? You can order this one with a clutch pedal.



HSV Aspen

This is the next step-up from the Holden Monterey (Cadillac XT6). A full-sized, seven-seater with a 313kW 6.2-litre V8, the HSV Aspen is based on the Cadillac Escalade Sport Platinum and is the ultimate in powerful luxury SUVs.

While most quick SUVs on the market are trying their darndest to be a race car, the Aspen is here to offer the entire family a relaxed and comfortable ride, sealed from the world, but with a powerful and symphonic V8 soundtrack.



HSV Governor

The HSV badge is all about big V8 sedans, and the HSV Governor delivers that in spades. Based on the Cadillac CT6-V, the Governor takes over from where the Grange left off.

It offers 410kW of power and 868Nm of torque from a 4.2-litre 'Blackwing' twin-turbo V8, mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission with all-wheel drive. It propels its occupants to 100km/h from standstill in 3.6 seconds, and does so in full luxury.



Chevrolet Corvette Manta Ray GTS by HSV

You simply cannot have a performance tuning arm such as HSV and not have them play with the company's flagship supercar just a little bit.

The Chevrolet Corvette Manta Ray GTS by HSV uses the GTSR W1 sedan's forged 20-inch alloy wheels, but adds a subtle wide body-kit, a larger rear spoiler and the W1's carbon-fibre-look side 'gills'. A supercharger adds an extra 160kW to the mid-mounted 6.2-litre V8, for a total of 529kW.


Have we missed anything, or is there anything you'd like to see gracing a parallel universe Holden or HSV dealer? Let us know in the comments below.


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Ben Zachariah

Ben Zachariah is an experienced writer and motoring journalist from Melbourne, having worked in the automotive industry for more than two decades. Ben began writing professionally more than 15 years ago and was previously an interstate truck driver. He completed his MBA in Finance in early 2021 and is considered an expert on classic car investment.

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