Holden Special Vehicles made a bombshell announcement today. Holden’s longtime performance partner will shift focus to add a wider range of imported products to its portfolio, and it starts with the sixth-generation Chevrolet Camaro.
HSV confirmed the Camaro will arrive in Australia starting July 2018 in SS form only. Specifically, the Camaro will arrive in 2SS trimmings with the 6.2-liter LT1 V8 engine and an eight-speed automatic at launch. Standard equipment will include Brembo brakes, power adjustable heated and ventilated leather seats, a flat-bottomed sports steering wheel, dual zone climate control, keyless entry, rear parking assist and a nine-speaker Bose audio system.
It’s a major shift from HSV’s strategy of yore, which has been to simply take Holden-produced vehicles and work performance magic. Now, HSV will use its engineering talents to expand Holden’s range to new levels. The company also announced plans to sell the Chevrolet Silverado in right-hand drive, too.
Now the question remains: is this the rear-wheel drive, V8-powered sports car Holden has promised for so long? Or will Holden itself actually feature a sports car with a lion badge? The Camaro will keep its Chevrolet branding due to heritage, said HSV in the announcement.
It’s unclear where pricing will start, but it likely won’t be as affordable as the Ford Mustang, due to shipping and conversion costs. Regardless, we’re sure the Camaro will receive a warm welcome Down Under.
Comments
This will be overpriced, if HSV have anything to do with it.
It should be priced under the Ford Mustang 5.0L, but I seriously doubt it.
Also the numbers will be very limited so there won’t be many left for the enthusiasts after all the hangers on get theirs. In fact they probably won’t be freely available until they start making them in RHD.
Converting from left to right…”that’s not going to be good for anyone”…
The SS Commodore was selling much better than the mighty Mustang but Holden killed that off without a replacement. Now, as Mustang sales sore Holden are scrambling to find something to sell to someone. But who wants to pay $30k more for a car that has had major modifications to it’s engineering. Sure it will sell but there won’t be enough to make it a hit.
Interestingly it will retain the Chev badge as it should – putting Chev vehicles in GMH dealerships just like it was in the 50s and 60s. Why even change the badge on the Equinox ?? just leave it as a Chev.
I have a 2011 clubsport which I am a fan, bought new and will keep. Like others I would consider buying this new hsv venture but you can beat London to a brick the price will be outrageous, especially the dollar exchange rate and cost of the required mods which is also a concern. A tip for Holden, why not deliver RHD vehicles direct to the Aussie market.