HSV has wound back the clock with its most affordable models in nine years, following the introduction of the GXP range, starting from $55,990 drive-away for the ute and $61,990 drive-away for the sedan.
The last time HSV had models at this price was in 2001.
The GXP models plug the price gap between the top-line Holden SS-V sedan and ute and the Clubsport R8 and Maloo R8.
"We expect this will attract a new buyer to HSV," says HSV national sales manager Darren Bowler. "Our research shows there are customers who have aspired to own a HSV but for whatever reason have not been able to afford one, until now."
Although the cars share the same name (and some of the components) as the axed Pontiac GXP export model, HSV says it is not "an inventory car".
"The truth is that ever since VE in 2006 we've been looking at an opportunity to place a model below the Clubsport R8 and Maloo R8," said HSV boss Phil Harding.
"It may appear that we have taken advantage of some available parts to create this model but the reality is we had to order more parts to make up our numbers."
HSV had to order a new batch of engines, and had its wheel supplier dust off the tooling for the Series One Clubsport rims to make a new batch for the GXP.
"When we saw the GXP coming through the Holden system we started looking at what we could do from a HSV point of view," Mr Harding said. "And we think we've come up with something unique."
HSV will build 400 GXP sedans (in a choice of seven colours) and 350 GXP utes (in a choice of six colours), of which 43 sedans priced from $NZ76,990 and nine utes priced from $NZ68,590 are destined for New Zealand.
HSV says it has no plans to make the GXP a regular part of the model line-up.
"At this stage it is a limited edition," says HSV marketing manager Tim Jackson. "But we expect to learn a lot about this car. Let's get it out there and see what the interest is like and make a decision after that."
HSV doesn't want a repeat of the company's original contract vehicle for Holden, the VL "Walkinshaw" Group A of 1988. "We made 500 of those, they sold like hotcakes," says Bowler. "Then we got excited and made another 200 and they didn't sell. So we're going to be very careful not to flood the market with this car."
Rather than cannibalise sales of the dearer HSV models, the company believes the GXP could end up walking customers "up" to a Clubsport R8 or Maloo R8.
The GXP edition was originally going to get the Pontiac GXP nose and polished 19-inch rims. But feedback from dealers and customers led HSV to fit the new E2 Series front bumper with daytime running lights, the silver-finish wheels from the Series One Clubsport, and the front fender vents from the regular models.
The GXP editions also get chrome mirror covers, chrome trim on the door handles, and chrome highlights on the fender vents.
"This is may be our entry model but we've still gone for a premium look," said Bowler.
Performance of the budget-priced GXP models is identical to the regular Clubsport R8 and Maloo R8. Both GXP variants come with the same 317kW 6.2-litre V8 fitted to the regular Clubsport R8 and Maloo R8. Transmission choices are six-speed manual or six-speed automatic.
Inside, you wouldn't know the difference between the regular models and the GXP editions, because they come with the same genuine HSV cloth sports bucket seats (with Maloo or Clubsport logos), the cluster of gauges, premium sound system and dual zone air-conditioning. The only options on the GXP are rear parking sensors, a navigation system, full size spare wheel and tyre and, on the sedan, a sunroof.
The lower purchase price is partly due to what the GXP models don't have. Leather is not available on either GXP model. And the launch control system and bi-modal exhausts that were introduced on the E2 HSV range are also not available.
Instead of the four-piston, red caliper HSV brakes front and rear, the GXP editions get four-piston, silver caliper Brembo brakes up front and standard SS vented discs on the rear.
The GXP ute doesn't get the Maloo R8 hard lid, tailgate, rear bumper and vented side skirts. And the GXP sedan does without the Clubsport R8's tail-lights, bootlid spoiler, rear bumper and side skirts.
Instead, the GXP sedan gains the export edition's subtle bootlid 'lip' spoiler, tinted tail-lights (the same as those fitted to the SS-V) and a more aggressive rear lower bumper insert.
The machined exhaust tips on both GXP editions are borrowed from the Series One Clubsport. All four wheels on the GXP editions are 19x8-inches, whereas the regular models have 19x9.5-inch rims on the rear for better traction.
The suspension on the GXP sedan is carried over from the set-up developed for the export edition. But the suspension on the GXP ute is unique to HSV.
HSV engineers recalibrated the ABS and stability control system to match the new brakes. They also fitted the Maloo's rear springs (over the SS shocks) and the stronger rear suspension bushes introduced at E2. The front suspension on GXP ute is the same as in the SS.
Based on a preview drive on the outskirts of Melbourne, handling and braking performance of the GXP editions live up to the HSV reputation. The GXP sedan is a little softer than the hard-edged Clubsport R8 but still highly capable on winding roads.
The GXP ute feels a little lighter in the rear thanks to the slightly narrower tyres and the lack of a 30kg hardlid helping tie things down. But this also means it can feel a bit more perky than a regular Maloo R8 at times.
Braking performance is good, although the standard red caliper HSV performance brakes are still superior in extreme driving situations. The front discs on the GXP (355mm) are 10mm smaller in diameter, and the brake pistons are slightly smaller, but the brake pads are 5 per cent bigger than those used in the red HSV calipers.
The rear brake pads (clamping 324mm vented discs) are 40 per cent smaller than those fitted to the red HSV brake calipers.
Check back with Carsales for more detailed launch preview drive impression.
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