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Adrian PatonHSV W427 revealed
February 29th 2008 23:30
Celebrating HSV's 20th anniversary is the imminent release of the fastest car ever produced in Australia - the HSV W427.
Unveiled for the first time alongside the stunning Coupe 60 Concept at the Melbourne Motor Show, the HSV W427 (427 represents the engine's size in cubic inches) marks a new era in Australian muscle cars with a Chevrolet Corvette sourced 7.0-litre LS7 engine producing 370 kW (500 hp) of power and 640 Nm of torque.
The engine is assembled by hand specifically for use in the Holden-based sedan and features an advanced dry-sump lubrication system required to match the performance potential of the car.
The production version should complete the 0 - 100km/h sprint in around 4.7 seconds thus catapulting the local hero car into a select group of high-performance sedans which features the likes of the Mercedes-Benz E 63 AMG, BMW M5 and Audi RS6.
The HSV W427 will go on sale towards the middle of 2008 priced somewhere between $140,000 and $170,000.
The Official HSV Press Release:
Holden Special Vehicles unveil seven litre Supercar the W427
Holden Special Vehicles today unveiled a seven litre program at the Melbourne Motor Show, the last instalment of the company s 20th anniversary celebrations.
The car to be known in its final development stages as the W427 is finished in the same Panorama Silver paint scheme as the original Group A SS VL Commodore, released at the Melbourne Motor Show of 1988, exactly 20 years ago.
HSV Managing Director, Scott Grant, said the W427 was a tribute to how far the company has come in just twenty years.
"To be able to produce a vehicle of these proportions is truly remarkable," Scott Grant said.
"The W427 will be quite possibly the fastest road registrable Supercar ever produced in Australia and among the quickest anywhere around the world," he said.
While power output figures are still to be confirmed, the W427 is likely to produce in excess of 370kW of power and 640NM of torque.
"It will also be one of the safest cars HSV has ever put on the road," Scott Grant said.
"A new six piston front braking system will provide a 50% increase in pad area, while the W427 also receives a revised ESP calibration, six air bags, improved handling and new Magnetic Ride Control settings."
The W427 receives a bimodal active exhaust system to improve noise quality and back pressure management.
Styling and design highlights include an all new front fascia, a three piece carbon fibre rear spoiler, 20 inch machined faced alloy wheel, unique exhaust tips and red leather interior.
Scott Grant said HSV would be introducing a unique customer relations program to accompany the launch of the new vehicle.
"The W427 will only be produced in limited numbers and we want to reflect that exclusivity in how we connect with our Supercar customers," Scott Grant said.
"This program will see the LS7 engine being fitted at Clayton, along with the dry sump system and a range of other engineering features. We are looking at opportunities to allow owners to visit HSV and view the unique manufacturing process that goes into building this car."
The W427 will go into production in the middle of the year and will be available for sale in dealerships in the third quarter of 2008.
"Make no mistake, while the specifications of the car unveiled on the stand today at the Motorshow may change slightly between now and when production begins, this car is destined to make as big an impact as the original Walkinshaw twenty years ago."
W427 key highlights*
Exterior
All new Front Fascia exclusive to W427
All new three piece rear spoiler in carbon fibre
All new 20 inch wheel
Interior
HSV performance seats in full red hot trim with W427 logo, steering wheel, gear shifter and console lid in full red hot leather
Powertrain
7.0 Litre, LS7 Engine with HSV specific calibration
- 370kW @ 6500 rpm
- 640Nm @ 5000 rpm
Over radiator style cold air induction system with high flow air filter
Dry sump lubrication system with 2 stage pump
Hand fabricated aluminium oil reservoir, with internal baffles for high G loading
Front mount, 13 row engine oil cooler
Ceramic coated, high flow four into one extractors
High flow catalytic converters and exhaust system (3 into 2 ¾ )
Active bi-modal rear mufflers for exhaust back pressure management to improve noise quality
High strength limited slip differential
New high strength six speed manual gear box (TR6060)
GMPT LS7 Clutch with new actuator and pedal assembly for high clamp loads
Suspension
New springs, 30% stiffer than GTS
Revised ride height 20mm lower than GTS
New stiffer rear suspension bushing
All new MRC calibration
Brakes
New 6 piston front braking system (50% increase in pad area)
Strap drive, 2 piece floating front rotors (380 x 35mm compared to 365 x
32mm one piece on GTS)
High friction pad material
* Specifications of W427 as at Melbourne Motor Show
[Source: Holden]
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