HSV Turns up the heat (updated with official details)

[Son of Tucky]

They've really made a botch up job of the looks I reckon.
Reminds me a bit of VX to VY, didn't like the changes then either.
Might look better in the flesh.

[Cobra]

I honestly don't think they look that bad. The whote R8 looks pretty good to me, and a lot tougher than FPV's. I still think the FPV's look better though, but they are more 'pretty' and less rugged.

[XRFutura]

I just don't like the look of the E2, to me they seem to have tried to hard. I mush perfer the look of the original e series.

At least they concentrated on weight saving, the badges are made from carbon fiber.

[Romulus]

Looks like FPV have just been given a free kick!

[R-Design]

www.hsv.com.au has been updated with the new range. HSV must have been reading the GS thread as I believe there are a few brake caliper colours available depending on your wheel choice (don't quote me).

I'm guessing they spend about 20 times what FPV do on their web site by the way.

[futura]

correct me if Im wrong, but wasnt the FG XR6 turbo the first australian car to be equiped with launch control??

Dont like the rear bar at all. prefer the quad exhausts. FRont looks to busy for for. Just have to wait and see them up close.

p.s wheels designs??? Not sure???

[Smoke Pursuit]

Correct. XR6 T first aus car with LC.

FG First 5 star car to!

[futura]

Then what the hell are HSV claiming that the E2 is the first production car made in australia to have luanch control???

Legal action anyone?? False advertising..

[uranium_death]

Originally Posted by futura

Then what the hell are HSV claiming that the E2 is the first production car made in australia to have luanch(sic) control???

Legal action anyone?? False advertising..

Nothing will happen...Holden has falsely advertised for a while...

People will swallow it up though...

[JPFS1]

Visually it's a big backward step in my opinion.

I think the fundamental issue here is that car design has moved on (several years ago) from the slab sided, chunky lego look that the VE utilises. Their latest effort just accentuates this issue, but I guess there isn't much you can do when the base car doesn't stack up in the way of latest design cues. The FG on the other hand atleast blends some more of the later design elements which will help it age a little more gracefully.

.

[XR8putts]

The reception on LS1 is pretty funny, they still hate it. I thought they'd lap it up after some decent photos but it seems that the car still reaks of ugly.

[T3ts50]

Originally Posted by puts99

The reception on LS1 is pretty funny, they still hate it. I thought they'd lap it up after some decent photos but it seems that the car still reaks of ugly.

I think that was the general feeling when E1 was released aswell, now they love it.

[CSV_LS1]

Front looks good. Rear way over the top. Problem is the side is as bland as chewing on cardboard compared to the front and rear.

[HO 3]

The front styling looks dreadful to me at first glance but I had the same initial reaction to the FPV FG panda eye look for a long time......the bottom half, front air dam design, looks like its been pinched from the 2006 Suburu GT, while the top half of the front styling looks like its been pinched from the export Pontiac GTO parts bin....can I say wheres the HSV DNA? I still look forward to finding out more about any under the skin mechanical and technical upgrades though.


Cheers Mick

[f6.au]

wow i can live with the front, but WTF did they do to the back...
Would a manual 325kw GTS with launch run all over the f6 ?
i hope NOT ! torque > power

hsv seem to be pushing the envelope, but i must say i like the fact that theres a bigger difference between an ss and gts....

[Stattic]

too many nostrils... the grill largely ruins the look, also the front seems to stick out far too much

[Rodp]

Originally Posted by T3ts50

It has now been released.

http://www.carsales.com.au/news/2009...by-model-16548

The spy pics were pretty accurate. Senator (which has always been my favourite HSV) looks shocking. I cant believe someone approved this.

Too busy and too riceboyish. Those are the sorts of kits I'd expect to see on a Civic.

[4Vman]

Hmm.. i think i know where the Toyota/TRD design staff went.. it looks very "Sportivo"

[flappist]

I have just read through the HSV site on the new models and have made this observation:

The HSV GTS is the Holden equivalent of the FPV GTP although....

Auto costs $2000 as opposed to No Cost Option
Full size spare is not included and costs $695 as opposed to included at no cost
6 spot brakes cost $3790 as opposed to standard feature

Possibly there is a price position issue starting to appear?

Also all of a sudden they now have lots of colours instead of the traditional five or so. I wonder if that is due to customer pressure.

But the proof will be in the sales and I am fairly confident there will be lots of those.....

[Fev]

It has replaced the Nissan Micra as the most over designed car


Anyone else think of a cheap chinese knock off when they look at the Senator??

I see it and think of that ugly *** chinese rolls royce knock off.. just looks.. well cheap..

[4Vman]

Ooooo!!! just noticed... shinny bright yellow brake calipers!!!!!!!

(is yellow the color of surrender...?)

[f6.au]

im really keeen to hear of circuit times and 1/4 amd 0-100 times for the gts... intersting times ahead!

[4Vman]

Originally Posted by flappist

I have just read through the HSV site on the new models and have made this observation:

The HSV GTS is the Holden equivalent of the FPV GTP although....

Auto costs $2000 as opposed to No Cost Option
Full size spare is not included and costs $695 as opposed to included at no cost
6 spot brakes cost $3790 as opposed to standard feature

Possibly there is a price position issue starting to appear?

Also all of a sudden they now have lots of colours instead of the traditional five or so. I wonder if that is due to customer pressure.

But the proof will be in the sales and I am fairly confident there will be lots of those.....

Yes there appears to be a price position issue for the moment, the waters might be muddied somewhat this time next year though if they drop the "P" and add a "H"....

[Smoke Pursuit]

Originally Posted by 4Vman

Ooooo!!! just noticed... shinny bright yellow brake calipers!!!!!!!

(is yellow the color of surrender...?)

6 Pots are yellow = gheyyyyyy

[divine_afg]

Since Holden couldn't come up with something "Original" of its own they decided to copy bits from various manufacturer's ( Just like Sikbro going to SuperCheap Autos to Pimp Their Ride).

My Point is they should have done it with some decency. Is it just me or others here have noticed that "Holden" always seems to "Copy" something of "Audi".

Quote From MotorMag - HSV GRANGE

1: " Stitched Leather door grabs as good as Audi's, though doors and handles feel and sound cheap. Alcantara console side trim fell off,too "

2: " Audi Kick-started the inset-dial fashion before VW copied it for the Passat and then Holden for the WM. But the First remains the best "

FullySik Holden/HSV - What are you paying your designers for ?

Love my Ford

[irlewy86]

Obviously never heard of the "less is more" concept. Would probably look all right if it was delivered in the one colour and without so many grills.

[flappist]

Originally Posted by 4Vman

Yes there appears to be a price position issue for the moment, the waters might be muddied somewhat this time next year though if they drop the "P" and add a "H"....

FHV GT-P...... strange name ??? :P

[4Vman]

Originally Posted by flappist

FHV GT-P...... strange name ??? :P

[Swordsman88]

Originally Posted by JPFS1

Visually it's a big backward step in my opinion.

I think the fundamental issue here is that car design has moved on (several years ago) from the slab sided, chunky lego look that the VE utilises. Their latest effort just accentuates this issue, but I guess there isn't much you can do when the base car doesn't stack up in the way of latest design cues. The FG on the other hand atleast blends some more of the later design elements which will help it age a little more gracefully.

.

100% agree with this post. Back in 2007, a fellow member and myself, admittedly after some alchoholic libations were consumed, were having an interesting conversation about car design and styling. Talk turned to the, at the time, 'new VE' and i made the point that while the car was well proportioned i was convined it would not 'age well'. He did not totally agree, and so the inevitable rants/debate got started.

My point at that time was that it used too much late 90s BMW (short nose) and early 00s audi. Flared wheel arches, slab sides, extremely high rear end etc. It was effectively launching just as this styling direction was changinge. The ford Iosis concept car that debuted the 'kinetic' style used on FG, Mondeo, Fiesta and all other modern fords (save for US) came out in late 2005 and combined with other concept cars showed a very different direction for future large sedan design. Hell Audi itself had just started launching its next generation of cars, (running lights anyone....) which featured much smoother surfacing and altered front treatment with the large 'cow catcher' grill. Trapezoidal design was also taking off at this point.

In reality HSV, who unlike Holden clearly admit the need for styling change, have done their best to include these modern styling features into the VE body. As is often the case, it often doesn't work well, and certainly is never as integrated.

When the spy photos were released i said:

Originally Posted by Swordsman88

1. way way way too busy!!! So much going on, that rear bumper on the sedan alone is ridiculous
2. NOT INTEGRATED - you have the head/tail lights from a squared off, almost audi style late 90s design (BA headlights..) and you go and put a totally nutso, 'sleak' attempt nose job. Its like when saab tried to swedish nose job that subaru. Its like a 'kinetic' styled Ford nose job...on a holden?? This is why it looks like a body kit from repco...
3. Over the top...even for HSV. As others have said, if you had any more holes in the front/top/sides it would surely qualify as a 'sieve', not a car.
4. Derivative rip offs...the 'audi' driving lights, the trapezoidal style lower grille...at least FPV did something a bit different with the 'racoon' eyes, love them or hate them.
.

Well the official pics are out and i wouldn't change a word of that post!

[WASP]

Love the effort, unsure about the rear end treatment and hate the fact that the GTS is using FPV's black out styling cues (although in the middle). What I do like is the choice for personalisation, it's seems much more comprehensive than FPV's offering.

My personal favouite model was the GTS. While I think it still is with the E2 range, the new version appears more 'boy racer' like than the previous stylish GTS.

Colville