Hot on the heels of the special edition Holden SS V sedan, wagon and ute comes the announcement that HSV will also do a Pontiac-inspired special edition.
The company will build 400 Clubsport GXP sedans and 350 Maloo GXP utes starting next February. On sale officially today, the vehicles will be the most affordable entry points into the HSV V8 range in seven years.
The Clubsport GXP sedan will cost $59,990 -- less than $2000 more than a Commodore SS V sedan. The last time a HSV Clubsport cost less than $60,000 was in 2002 for the VY model, which had a 260kW 5.7-litre V8.
The new Clubsport GXP is powered by the same 317kW 6.2-litre V8 fitted to the latest series Clubsport R8, but features a different level of equipment.
The GXP editions come with the new E2 front bumper with daytime running lights, the twin-vent bonnet, front fender vents, HSV dash gauges, silver-coloured four-piston Brembo brakes (with smaller 350mm front rotors than regular AP-braked HSV models) and 19 x 8-inch Series One Clubsport alloy wheels all around (as opposed to 19 x 9.5-inch rears on the rest of the HSV range).
Inside, both the sedan and ute GXP editions get cloth trim and the basic air-conditioning and audio controls. There is no leather seating option ex-factory.
Launch control, brake-assisted cruise control and optional bi-modal exhaust (introduced on E2) are not available on the GXP editions.
At the rear, the Clubsport GXP sedan gets Commodore SS V tinted tailights and rear bumper and exhaust tips (rather than the HSV's LED tailights and rectangular exhausts).
The Maloo GXP ute is priced from $53,990 -- the last time a Maloo was this cheap was the VYII in 2004.
It also gets the new front bumper with daytime running lights, twin vent bonnet and front fender vents but comes with a soft tonneau cover, the standard Commodore ute tailgate and the Commodore SS V side sill covers.
While the Clubsport GXP sedan carries over the highly regarded chassis tune from the Pontiac GXP, HSV engineers had to do a special calibration for the Maloo GXP ute for both the Brembo brakes and the unique suspension package. The Maloo GXP uses SS V front shocks and springs and SS V rear shocks, but it gets Maloo rear springs and bushes to improve handling and lower the ride height slightly.
GXP colours available are white, red, black, silver, blue and gold, while the GXP sedan is also available in metallic grey.
Most importantly, perhaps, the GXP editions get HSV badging.
HSV has denied the GXP models are a shot back at archrival FPV's recent introduction of a cheaper GS model. Company insiders say the GXP program was locked away well before the Holden hot-shop learned of FPV's plans to launch the GS.
Managing director of HSV Phil Harding contends the GXP was an ideal opportunity for the brand to reach out to a new group of customers with a more affordable model.
"We receive lots of enquiries about introducing a model to sit as an entry level to our brand, and the GXP program provides us with that opportunity. I have always said that in order for a car to wear the HSV badge it needs to satisfy three criteria -- performance, handling and design. Clearly these cars tick all three boxes."
-- with staff
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