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2017 HSV GTSR W1 Is The Ultimate Expression Of Australian Muscle

2017 HSV GTSR W1 flanked by HSV GTSR and GTSR Maloo 9 photos
Photo: HSV
2017 HSV GTSR W1 flanked by GTSR and GTSR Maloo2017 HSV GTSR W12017 HSV GTSR W12017 HSV GTSR W12017 HSV GTSR W12017 HSV GTSR W12017 HSV GTSR W12017 HSV GTSR W1
Synonymous with Australian performance, HSV started making fast cars in 1988 with the VL Walkinshaw. As fate would have it, though, the Holden Performance Vehicles story has to end.
To mark the end of the Commodore VF Series II-based Gen-F2, HSV is glad to present the GTSR W1. The swan song of HSV may be labeled a “road-legal racecar,” but the truth of the matter is that this is a four-door Corvette ZR1.

The belly of the beast is an LS9 V8 that was previously used by the ZR1 between 2009 and 2013, as well as the Equus Bass 770. Based on the LS3, the LS9 V8 is a 6.2-liter engine enhanced by an Eaton four-lobe supercharger. With 474 kW (636 hp) at 6,500 rpm and 815 Nm (601 lb-ft) from 3,900 rpm, the GTSR W1 is almost as powerful as the sixth-gen Corvette in ZR1 guise.

Only available with a Tremec TR-6060 six-speed manual transmission, the rear-wheel-drive four-door sedan from the Land Down Under can accelerate to 100 kilometers per hour (62 mph) in 4.2 seconds. The 1/4-mile, meanwhile, is doable in 12.1 seconds or thereabout. Straight line performance, however, isn't this bruiser’s strongest point. What is, in fact, is handling prowess.

Fixed-rate suspension from SupaShock, Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R rubber (265/35 up front, 295/30 at the rear), 6-piston calipers and 2-piece discs, and torque vectoring are just a few of the goodies that make the GTSR W1 the most hardcore HSV ever. The price reflects its status as well: AUD 169,990.

Converted to U.S. dollars, that sum translates to $129,150 at current exchange rates, which is ridiculous money when you think about it. The C6 Corvette ZR1, for example, originally retailed for $103,300. Adjusted for inflation ($115,155), the Corvette ZR1 is still cheaper than the GTSR W1.

What a way to go, HSV, what a way to go.

 

GTSR is BACK! Featuring the: >> GTSR >> GTSR Maloo >> #GTSR #W1 #HSV2017

A photo posted by HSV - Holden Special Vehicles (@officialhsv) on Jan 31, 2017 at 5:06am PST

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About the author: Mircea Panait
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After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well.
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