Holden Special Vehicles will not go quietly into the night, that’s a given. The Walkinshaw Performance backed division is celebrating 25 years of Aussie motoring bliss, and has graced enthusiasts with a very special edition car.
Enter the 2015 25th Anniversary HSV ClubSport R8.
The ClubSport nameplate is held near and dear to Holden enthusiasts, translating to some of Australia’s greatest driving experiences. And after 25 years, HSV is celebrating the heritage.
The VF Commodore based 25th Anniversary ClubSport R8 sets itself apart with a few unique appearances.
The 2015 ClubSport R8 sits on SV Rapier forged wheels, finished in a glossy black, complementing the HyperFlow Performance Rear Spoiler. Other punchy pitch-black design elements can be traced throughout the exterior design, including the badges and side vents.
The familiar LS3 6.2-liter V8 sits as the heart of this celebration, and certainly provides a much better soundtrack than the 9-speaker Bose audio system. Making 456 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque never looked this easy. Or this sexy, for that matter. But, when the brakes become involved, there’s nothing to fret. AP Racing ventilated discs and forged-four piston calipers ensure your 60-0s go accordingly.
Those looking to row your own gears are in luck, as HSV will be providing a six-speed manual gearbox option, or a six-speed automatic with paddle shifters.
Each 25th Anniversary ClubSport R8 will be individually numbered, and receive “25th Anniversary” badging on the decklid, sills and center console.
The 2015 25th Anniversary HSV ClubSport R8 sits as a testimony to HSV’s proven heritage of doing more than just souping up Holden Commodores. They create exquisite beasts. And if you plan on sliding behind the wheel of one, move quickly. Only 108 drivers will have the chance to.
Comments
Does the Chevy SS get the same treatment because America needs it BAAAAAAD Australia gets all the awesome cars the Chevy SS is Subtle & Bland for a performance sedan its not sporty like the SRT8 Dodge Charger
One problem is HSV are not a GM company so Chevy can’t order cars from them, second is price. HSV sell at a price way too high for the US market to accept.
HSV may be independent of GM, but why can’t Chevy offer HSV product in Chevy dealerships.
It doesn’t seem to be a problem for Holden in Australia or New Zealand, or for Vauxhall (VXR8 GTS) in the UK, where the vehicles are available from selected GM dealerships.
It all boils down to cost. GM really could do most of the HSV tuning and options themselves, but they leave it to HSV to encourage a tuning community and to ensure that enthusiasts – not bean counters – call the final shots on the most expensive performance cars.
Really the problem is that GM is willing to concede this market to Dodge and FCA. If they wanted to offer a Charger Hellcat rival with the Chevy SS, they could. Heck, they could do that with a shoestring budget and a CTS chop job.
GM just doesn’t see the money in it. They instead ask themselves why Impala is a flop and refuse to build an affordable Alpha sedan without luxury components. Sad, but the reality of the situation.
How many sales do you think this version would achieve in the states Christopher? Its such a damn shame they wont exist for much longer and that people in the states were never given a proper opportunity to own one.
Beautiful.