Holden HSV W427 Concept, 2008

Holden HSV W427 Concept, 2008

 

Holden Special Vehicles unveiled a seven litre program at the 2008 Melbourne Motor Show, the last instalment of the company s 20th anniversary celebrations.

The car to be known in its final development stages as the W427 is finished in the same Panorama Silver paint scheme as the original Group A SS VL Commodore, released at the Melbourne Motor Show of 1988, exactly 20 years ago.
HSV Managing Director, Scott Grant, said the W427 was a tribute to how far the company has come in just twenty years.

A new six piston front braking system will provide a 50% increase in pad area, while the Holden W427 also receives a revised ESP calibration, six air bags, improved handling and new Magnetic Ride Control settings.

The Holden W427 receives a bimodal active exhaust system to improve noise quality and back pressure management.
Styling and design highlights include an all new front fascia, a three piece carbon fibre rear spoiler, 20 inch machined faced alloy wheel, unique exhaust tips and red leather interior.
The Holden W427 will go into production in the middle of the year and will be available for sale in dealerships in the third quarter of 2008.

Specifications
    * Exterior
          o All new Front Fascia exclusive to W427
          o All new three piece rear spoiler in carbon fibre
          o All new 20 inch wheel
    * Interior
          o HSV performance seats in full red hot trim with W427 logo, steering wheel, gear shifter and console lid in full red hot leather
    * Powertrain
          o 7.0 Litre, LS7 Engine with HSV specific calibration
                + 370kW @ 6500 rpm
                + 640Nm @ 5000 rpm
          o Over radiator style cold air induction system with high flow air filter
          o Dry sump lubrication system with 2 stage pump
          o Hand fabricated aluminium oil reservoir, with internal baffles for high G loading
          o Front mount, 13 row engine oil cooler
          o Ceramic coated, high flow four into one extractors
          o High flow catalytic converters and exhaust system (3 into 2 ¾ )
          o Active bi-modal rear mufflers for exhaust back pressure management to improve noise quality
          o High strength limited slip differential
          o New high strength six speed manual gear box (TR6060)
          o GMPT LS7 Clutch with new actuator and pedal assembly for high clamp loads
    * Suspension
          o New springs, 30% stiffer than GTS
          o Revised ride height 20mm lower than GTS
          o New stiffer rear suspension bushing
          o All new MRC calibration
    * Brakes
          o New 6 piston front braking system (50% increase in pad area)
          o Strap drive, 2 piece floating front rotors (380 x 35mm compared to 365 x 32mm one piece on GTS)
          o High friction pad material

2011 Chevrolet Cruze Hatchback: Production Model to Debut at Geneva Motor Show

Chevrolet today announced that the production version of the Cruze hatchback will make its world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show in March. Considered to be a critical model for Chevrolet in Europe, the 5-door Cruze was first teased at last year’s Paris Motor Show with a pre-production study.

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Detroit Motor Show: GM to Launch Opel in Australia Next Year

Last September, we reported that Nick Reilly, Chairman of Opel, hinted at the launch of the German brand in Australia. GM's European division made it official today at, announcing that Opel is set to enter the Australian market in 2012.

Nick Reilly, said at the Detroit Auto Show: “This launch is an important part of our international expansion strategy. With its growing demand for German design and technology, the Australian car market is an excellent opportunity for Opel. Australian drivers have a strong affinity with Opel vehicles.”

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2011 Chevrolet Cruze Hatchback: Production Version's Shape Trademarked

At the 2010 Paris Motor Show in early September, General Motors unveiled a near-production version of the Chevrolet Cruze five-door hatchback. Now, the Detroit automaker has registered trademark filings with the European patent office revealing the shape and details of the actual production model which is set to reach dealerships in Europe as a Chevrolet and in Australia as a Holden, in mid 2011.

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Debut Holden Barina Spark At Motor Show

GM getting ready to launch Australia from new Chevrolet Spark, which has been sold in Asia and Europe for several months. The first step is to look toward the local launch in Australia International Motor Show in Sydney next week, before the went on sale locally as the Holden Barina Spark at the end of 2010.

Curiously, Holden sells first-gen Chevrolet Aveo as the Holden Barina with a range consisting of three and five-door hatchback and four-door sedan. The Spark Barina will most likely be slotted in as an affordable entry-level model.

The Spark Barina petrol engines are equipped with 1.2-liter 4-cylinder and 5-speed manual transmission, with fuel that is said about km 5.6lt / 100 (42 U.S. mpg) mark. Standard equipment will include alloy wheels, fog lamps, six airbags and Electronic Stability Control (ESC).

Notice Something? How Could you not? A shift from the boring sameness of other small cars, the all-new Holden Barina Spark stands out for all the right Reasons - sporty stance, edgy looks inside and out, class-leading standard safety features, and included many luxuries That small cars offer only as added extras.

Launched in Europe Earlier this year, the Barina Spark is the Australian version of the globally-developed Chevrolet Spark That debuted in the U.S. Earlier this year. It is manufactured at GM's Daewoo plant in South Korea.

In the words of Holden Chief Designer Richard Ferlazzo, the Barina Spark has been designed with a focus on "fun and function," bringing a constant sense of motion while utilising small-car proportions to get the most of the city car segment.

That sense of speed is clear in the Spark's profile, with a diving belt line and sweeping windows, a sporting look accentuated by the hidden rear door handle that gives the Spark a three-door appearance.

That sporty feel is strengthened by the 'body-in, wheels-out' approach, with the wheels positioned at the far corners of the body - a design decision that helps more than a little with interior space too.

Inside, the most noticeable feature of the Spark's interior is its motorcycle-inspired instrument cluster, mounted directly on the steering column. Featured in the instrument cluster are the analogue speedometer, digital tachometer and minor gauges. The centre stack offers a design again focused on a 'fun and functional' approach, lit with ice blue illumination.

Powered by a 1.2 litre DOHC four-cylinder petrol engine producing 59kW and 107Nm of torque, the Barina Spark lists fuel consumption figures of just 5.6 l/100km - making it the most economical car in the Holden line-up.

Among its features, the small engine's technology includes Port Deactivation technology, developed to induce a swirl charge motion within the cylinder that produces high exhaust gas recirculation for more stability during idling and enhanced fuel efficiency.

Available with a five-speed manual transmission only, the Spark achieves a 5-star rating in the Federal Government's Green Vehicle Guide with CO2 emissions listed at 128g/km. Suspension is handled by MacPherson struts up front - with side-load compensated strut modules and direct-acting solid stability bars. Rear suspension is comprised of a compound crank and a torsion beam axle. jau-carmodification.blogspot.com

Holden’s E3 GTS Transforms into the 2012 Vauxhall VXR8 in Britain

Based on Holden’s most recent E3 series GTS model, the 2012 Vauxhall VXR8 will hit UK dealers next March, featuring several improvements over the previous model, which was built on the lower-spec ClubSport R8. Priced at £49,500 (VAT included), the new model is still considered a bargain in the country, considering that there’s a 6.2-liter V8 powerhouse under the bonnet.

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New Rumors of the Pontiac G8 Returning to North America as a Chevrolet

The demise of the Pontiac brand in 2009 also brought about the death of the G8, the Americanized derivative of the Australian-built Holden Commodore SS. It was a sad day for Pontiac and Holden fans alike, the loss of the G8 export contract costing Holden millions of dollars and putting the future of its Elizabeth, South Australia plant - and the brand itself - in jeopardy.

When the Holden-derived Chevy Caprice Police Car was revealed for the North American market twelve months ago, rumors of a reborn G8 in the form of a Chevrolet were rife. Now, Aussie motoring website Drive is reporting that U.S. exports of the Holden Commodore SS are "imminent", with a launch expected before the end of the current model's lifespan.

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2011 Holden VE Series II Commodore

A fountain of tears was shed when the Pontiac G8 sedan bit 'the dust along with their parents' brand, the poncho-market Holden Commodore was one of our best races -.. Especially in its delicious appearance LS3 GXP powered with a six-speed stick as You know, Holden are now ready for export Zeta-based sedans in the U.S. as a new long-wheelbase Chevy Caprice police car, but the civilian versions are not part of the program. This brings us to the latest Scuttlebutt by Drive.com.au, after which a new export agreement for sending standard pitch Holden VE Commodore returns to the United States could be on the horizon like a Chevrolet published reports.

Drive prices of General Motors engineer Al Heiser Oppen to confirm that negotiations are taking place now, GM and a second anonymous source told the site that is a done deal. A spokesman said Holden Drive in terms of exports, the focus is currently on PPV Caprice, but added that other deals being pursued. There are good reasons for hope. The president of GM North America Mark Reuss was the head of Holden 2008 and 2009, and clearly knows how good the product.

The G8 has won much praise during his short tenure, and the lack of a legit sport sedan is a glaring gap in the otherwise comprehensive Chevy lineup. It is also important to remember that, thanks to the Pontiac G8, the majority of developing countries federalization of the Australian four-door has already been done. Probably not much to the current VE Series II sedan to get ready for an encore of the United States. Hell, if it really happened, perhaps this time GM could ute also to the introduction go. Rename the Chevy version would be a breeze after all.

Walkinshaw Performance Series II Commodore eats Ferraris for Breakfast

For the Australian car buff, Tom Walkinshaw needs no introduction. Here is the man who founded HSV and was responsible for the epic VL Commodore based HSV SS Group A in late '80s. Though no longer working for Holden, 'Walky' continues to turn out some of the most powerful and ballsiest vehicles Australia has ever seen through the performance company named after him.

At the Australian International Motor Show in Sydney, Walkinshaw Performance took the wraps off its latest model: the WP Series II Supercar. The Holden Commodore Series II SS derived super saloon is fitted with an Edelbrock WP 230 supercharger, boosting power to 617-horsepower (460 kw) and torque to 780 Nm (575 lb ft).

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Holden EFIJY Concept to Headline First Motorclassica Concours d’Elegance in Melbourne, Australia

Five years old and still able to turn heads, Holden's EFIJY concept will take pride of place at the first international Motorclassica Concours d'Elegance and Classic Motorshow in Melbourne, Australia later this month.

The stunning [driveable] concept car, which was first shown at the 2005 Sydney Motor Show and features a 489 kw (656 hp) supercharged 6.0-liter V8, Chevrolet Corvette underbody, a 'Soprano Purple' paint job and fan-cooled LED headlamps.

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Holden Statesman HQ Fans [All five of us] Rejoice; First Ever Scale Model Released by Trax

I'm pretty sure most of you outside Australia are wondering a) what the heck a Statesman HQ is and b) why should you care that there's a die-cast model. Well, let me try to provide answers for these two questions:

A) The Statesman HQ was a luxury long-wheelbase model for the masses produced by GM's Holden from 1971 through 1974, and B) Apparently, most readers need not care but for the other four viewers I was referring to in the title, as far as I know, this is the first time that a scale model of the specific car has been built. For more history on the Statesman and details on the scale model, hit the jump.

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Chevy Spark to Debut as Holden Barina Spark at Sydney Motor Show

GM is gearing up for the Australian launch of the new Chevrolet Spark, which has been on sale in Asia and Europe for some months now. The first step towards its local launch is an appearance at the Australian International Motor Show in Sydney next week, before it goes on sale locally as the Holden Barina Spark in late 2010.

Oddly enough, Holden sells the first-gen Chevrolet Aveo as the Holden Barina with a range consisting of three- and five-door hatchbacks and a four-door sedan. The Barina Spark will most likely be slotted in as an affordable entry level model.

The Barina Spark is equipped with a 1.2-liter 4-cylinder petrol engine and a 5-speed manual transmission, with fuel economy said to be around the 5.6lt / 100 km (42 US mpg) mark. Standard equipment will include alloy wheels, fog lamps, six airbags and Electronic Stability Control (ESC).

John Elsworth, Director of Sales, Marketing and Aftersales at Holden has great confidence in the Barina Spark:

"This is a very style-conscious market and with Barina Spark we have a really fresh and energetic design that breaks the 'cute car' mould. It's fun, fuel efficient and offers class-leading safety features and value for money in the best Holden tradition."

Pricing and detailed specifications will be released at the Sydney Show, which runs from the 15th to the 24th ofOctober. The U.S. launch of the Chevrolet Spark is set for 2012.

By Tristan Hankins

Chevy Spark to Debut as Holden Barina Spark at Sydney Motor Show

GM is gearing up for the Australian launch of the new Chevrolet Spark, which has been on sale in Asia and Europe for some months now. The first step towards its local launch is an appearance at the Australian International Motor Show in Sydney next week, before it goes on sale locally as the Holden Barina Spark in late 2010.

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Holden's HSV Considering 286 hp Twin-Turbo Cruze to Compete With Focus RS

When Holden axed its Opel-sourced Astra small car in Australia in 2009, it also dealt a death blow to Holden Special Vehicle's wicked 177kw (237 hp) / 320Nm VRX hot hatch. Now the high performance brand is searching for a replacement for its entry level model, setting its sights on the Daewoo / Chevrolet-sourced Cruze.

In the event that Opel does come to Australia as a stand-alone brand, HSV is looking for its own hot hatch to go up against the likes of the Focus RS and Subaru WRX, and the Australian developed Cruze 5dr hatchback is on the cards.

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GM May Introduce Opel in Australia as VW-Rival and Stand Alone Brand

With Saab's recent sale to Spyker and the global financial crisis effectively killing plans to import the Cadillac CTS into Australia, GM Holden is contemplating adding Opel as a premium brand in order to go head-to-head with Volkswagen.

In more recent times and without forgetting cars like the Vauxhall Viva-based Torana and the Opel Rekord / Senator / Omega rooted Commodores, the introduction of the Opel-sourced Corsa supermini in 1994 marked a return to prominence for Opels down under. The Corsa was followed soon after by the Astra small car and Vectra mid-size sedan / hatch. The Astra was particularly successful for Holden, though it all came to a head with GM's purchase of Daewoo in 2001.

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Holden Viva Automatic Ultimate Choice

Holden Viva is the ultimate choice if you are looking for a mid-sized car that isn’t a Corolla. Holden Viva is meant for those buyers on a budget. If you are confused whether to buy it or not then read on.

Very simply, the Holden Viva is a keenly priced automobile and is well equipped, two of the most important factors to consider when purchasing a new car. In addition to this, it has a reasonable performance, agile and is fitted with a proper interior and spacious boot room.

No doubt the ride quality is up to par with its ability to soak up even the worse road surfaces, and the tyre and wind noises are passive. Under cushy and simple conditions the Holden Viva is a quiet and low impact ride. This provides a smooth ride helping to avoid the bumps and jarring of daily suburban driving.

With an average of 7.4 liters per 100 kilometers, you won’t have to worry about the recent fuel price hikes. So is the Viva the small car upheaval that Holden claims? Judged merely in product terms, not by a long shot. But on the sales charts, where things like space, value and features usually add up for more than sharp handling and modern design, the Viva is likely to make an impact.

The Comfortability Factor

There is ample space front up with good seat support and adjustable steering. The steering feels light and direct making maneuvering in the tightest spots quite easy.

Ride Quality

No doubt the ride quality is up to par with its ability to soak up even the worse road surfaces, and the tyre and wind noises are passive. Under cushy and simple conditions the Holden Viva is a quiet and low impact ride. This provides a smooth ride helping to avoid the bumps and jarring of daily suburban driving.

Standard Equipment

With the Holden Viva you get all the standard car features you may look for in a car mid size auto. Good fit-out, four air bags, air-conditioning, power front windows, remote central locking are just a few that are present in this cozy car.

Specification
Dimension
Wheelbase 2600 mm 102.4 in
Track front 1480 mm 58.3 in
rear 1480 mm 58.3 in
Length 4295 mm 169.1 in
Width 1725 mm 67.9 in
Height 1445 mm 56.9 in
Length:wheelbase ratio 1.65
Ground clearance
Kerb weight 1293 kg 2851 lb
Weight distribution
(Front)
Fuel capacity 60 litres 13.2 UK Gal 15.9 US Gal

Engine
Bore × stroke 80.50 mm × 88.20 mm
3.17 in × 3.47 in
Cylinders S-4
Displacement 1.8 litre
1796 cc
(109.599 cu in)
Type DOHC
Key:

SOHC
Single overhead camshaft

DOHC
Double overhead camshaft

OHV
Overhead valves

TS
Two stroke

SV
Side valves

Sl
Sleeve valves

oise
Overhead inlet side exhaust

4 valves per cylinder
16 valves in total
Construction
Sump Wet sumped
Compression ratio 9.70:1
Fuel system SMPFI
Maximum power
(ECE) 121.7 PS (120 bhp) (89.5 kW)
@ 5800 rpm
Specific output 66.8 bhp/litre
1.09 bhp/cu in
Maximum torque
(ECE) 169.0 Nm (125 ft·lb) (17.2 kgm)
@ 3600 rpm
bmep 1182.5 kPa (171.5 psi)
Specific torque 94.1 Nm/litre
Maximum rpm
Manufacturer GM
Code
Main bearings
Coolant Water
Bore/stroke ratio 0.91
Unitary capacity 449 cc/cylinder
Aspiration Normal
Compressor type N/A
Intercooler None
Catalytic converter Y

Performance
0-50 mph (80 km/h)
0-60 mph
0-100 km/h
0-100 mph
80-120 km/h (50-70 mph) in top
Standing ¼mile
Standing km
Top speed
Fuel consumption
CO2 Emissions
Carfolio Calculated CO2 ?
Power-to-weight 92.81 bhp/ton