Vauxhall's VXR8 Sport Saloon Wins MPG Marathon Award, No Really

In an eco-marathon, you normally expect the winner to be a hybrid, a diesel or some other super-frugal -and usually underpowered- car. Well, in the Fleet World MPG Marathon the champion had no less than 431-horses kicking and screaming to be unleashed under its bonnet.

You read that correctly: the LS3 6.2-liter V8-powered VXR8 - essentially a Holden HSV rebadged as a Vauxhall for the UK market- won the two-day, 350-mile economy trial.

How did this happen? There's a simple explanation: this award wasn't given to the most fuel efficient vehicle in absolute numbers, but to the one that recorded the highest percent improvement over the official fuel consumption figures.

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2011 AIMS: New HSV Black Edition Versions of Commodore Based Sedan, Station and Ute Models

General Motor’s Holden Special Vehicles unit in Australia is following in the footsteps of Mercedes-Benz’s AMG division as well as more recently, Porsche, with the presentation of a black-themed and named special edition series based on the E Series 3 range launched last September.

Making its world debut at the 2011 Australian motorshow in Melbourne, the SV Black Edition package is offered in the ClubSport R8, Maloo R8 and ClubSport R8 Tourer, which are the sports versions of the Commodore sedan, ute, and station wagon models respectively.

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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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HSV Commodore Range gets Minor Updates and 20th Anniversary Maloo R8 Ute

Holden Special Vehicles has taken the wraps off an updated version of its Commodore derived performance range along with a special edition of the Malooo R8 ute. HSV is the performance arm of Australian automaker Holden, known in the States through the now defunct Pontiac G8 and the Chevy Caprice police car that was revealed earlier this year.

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Holden Specialty Vehicles Releases new Caprice-Based Grange flagship with 436-hp V8

Holden just announced that its high-performance Special Vehicles division, otherwise known as HSV, is about to release an updated version of its Grange flagship. The car is based on the Commodore's long-wheelbase platform, which can be found under the Statesman/Caprice and upcoming Chevrolet Caprice police car. Being an HSV vehicle, the Grange is tasked with being something like Holden's version of the S-Class AMG (in theory); it's a large, fast tanker on four wheels.

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Vauxhall VXR8 Bathurst S with 560HP Supercharged V8

In the land Down-Under, there's a saying that goes "there's nothing like a V8". Well, let's say that for the sake of conversation, we agree with our fellow Australians. What's even better than a 'normal' V8? The answer comes all the way from Great Britain and Vauxhall which introduced a new supercharged version of the Holden Commodore based (Pontiac G8 in the States), HSV Clubsport R8. Thanks to the addition of a Walkinshaw 122 Supercharger, the Vauxhall VXR8 Bathurst S' 6.0-liter V8 dispenses a mighty 560-horsepower, compared with the standard car's 431HP.

Furthermore, Walkinshaw's 122 Supercharger also boosts torque from 550Nm to an impressive 715Nm (529-lbs /ft). No performance figures have been announced, but let's just tell you that the standard 431HP VRX8 with an automatic gearbox accelerates from 0 to 60 mph (96 km/h) in just 4.9 seconds...

For the record, Vauxhall did not only bolt-on a blower to the LS3 V8. The engineered package also includes a large capacity intercooler, high-flow fuel injectors, a separate cold air intake and Walkinshaw-developed ECU map, while the standard manual gearbox is upgraded with a high-torque capacity clutch.

Buyers also have the option of adding a new Bi-Modal Exhaust that raises power by up to 10-horsepower and allows drivers to select one of two noise settings: 'Street', with an upper limit of 92dbA, or 'Optimum', which releases the LS3 V8's full 102dbA. The two-and-a-half inch diameter system is manufactured from stainless steel with unique chrome tail-pipe finishers and costs £1600.

Other modifications concern the new six-pot front and four-pot rear brake calipers stiffer, height-adjustable springs and Walkinshaw-developed coil-over dampers that have 15 separate valve settings with independent corner adjustment for the owner's preferred setup.

On the outside, the Bathurst S is identifiable by a distinctive graphic pack, front fog light covers and 'Bathurst' badges while inside a console-mounted badge showing the car's build number complements the 'Walkinshaw Performance' tread plates found inside each door opening.

The Vauxhall VXR8 Bathurst S will be produced in a limited number of units with prices in the U.K. set at £44,995 which comes to $66,520 U.S, $99,520 AUS and €51,300 with today's exchange rates.

Face-Off: Transform Your Pontiac G8 into a Holden Commodore or HSV GTS

Like they say, there's nothing like the original. However, if you want our opinion, in the case of the Holden Commodore we prefer the twin nostril fascia of its Americanized sibling, the Pontiac G8. The HSV GTS is another story as Holden's officially designated performance division has done wonders on the Commodore's appearance. Either way, if you happen to own a Pontiac G8 and dig the original look of its 'down-under' comrade or the kick-ass sporty looks of the HSV model, an Australian company called JHP Vehicle Enhancements will ship you a complete kit to perform the conversion. Prices start off from $1,990 US for the Commodore package and from $3,880 for the HSV GTS kit. Check out the details after the jump.

GENUINE HSV VE GTS FRONT CONVERSION KIT

The HSV GTS front conversion kit includes:

• Hood, Hood Latch/Catch, Hood Insulator,
  
• Front bumper fascia extension,
  
• Upper grille radiator, Front bar fascia, Front bar absorber,
  
• Front fog lamp bezel x 2 (Left hand side and right hand side),
  
• Front fog lamps x 2, Lower RAD Grille (black) & badge,
  
• Front fog lamp wiring harness,
  
• Hood header panel,
  
• Bumper mesh.

GENUINE GM VE FRONT CONVERSION KIT

The VE front conversion kit includes:

• Hood, Hood Latch/Catch, Hood Insulator,
  
• Front bumper fascia extension,
  
• Upper grille radiator, Front bar fascia, Front bar absorber,
  
• Front fog lamp bezel x 2 (Left hand side and right hand side),
  
• Front fog lamps x 2, Lower RAD Grille (black) & badge,
  
• Front fog lamp wiring harness.

RELATED POSTS:

• Face-Off: See How Cars Would Look Like With Fascias From Other Brands

Via: Autofiends , Link: JHP

HSV W427 503HP Commodore Enters Production – 38 High Res Photos / Wallpapers

The “Lion King” of all Holdens, the Commodore based HSV W427 is now available for order in Australia and New Zealand. But good luck trying to get one as all 90 cars being built in 2008 have been pre-sold. Overall, HSV will build no more than 427 W27s with prices (not including the new Luxury Car Tax regime) set at $155,500 AUD.

Designed as Australia’s answer to the BMW M5, the HSV W427 is equipped with the Corvette Z06’s 7.0-liter or 427.ci LS7 V8 engine developing a thundering 503Hp (375kW) and 640Nm of torque. Even though production has started, HSV has yet to release any official performance figures but we pretty sure that Holden’s four-door muscle car won’t leave anyone disappointed. -Photos after the jump