Holden Special Vehicles boss Phil Harding has dismissed as "fantasy" a recent magazine report about the prospect of a new, high-powered, lightweight, high performance version of its flagship GTS sedan.
The cover of the latest issue of Wheels depicts a computer mock-up of a GTS-R, which the magazine claims is being worked on in "secret", despite HSV's denials.
The magazine further speculates that HSV plans to shed 100kg of weight from the GTS by replacing the standard seats with race-style seats (which the magazine says would save 40kg) as well as fitting lightweight wheels and making weight savings in other areas such as suspension and luxury equipment.
But the seats alone would amount to a massive engineering cost, given that the car would have to be crash-tested again to validate it for road use.
HSV typically does not talk about future models, but Harding took the unusual step of ruling out the GTS-R report because customers had rung dealers and the company headquarters and tried to order the car.
Speaking at the launch of the new price-leading HSV GXP sedan and ute (pictured) in Melbourne this morning, Harding told the Carsales network: "If you're a seasoned journalist ... and you're onto a story and you asked me a question about a possible future car that you may have heard a bit about, you could tell from the body language or the wink of eye that perhaps we might be working on something special.
"But when I read that magazine report I said to myself 'where did this come from?' It's fairytale. It's pure fantasy."
Mr Harding ruled out categorically that any such car exists or a plan to build such a car exists.
"You kind of wonder whether it's a ruse to sell magazines," Harding said. "I'm pleased they chose my brand to experiment with, rather than someone else's. But I would question the accuracy of their so-called well-placed sources."
Harding has spoken out after at least one customer reportedly rang HSV and said: "I know you're not talking about the car, but can you take my $10,000 deposit any way?"
"Every time people speculate about what special models might come up, there's a handful of people who usually come forward and put their hand up and express interest in the car. On this occasion they've been quickly told there's no substance to it whatsoever.
"We had all that buzz with the 7.0-litre before it came out, but at least there was some substance to it."
The Carsales Network will bring you preview drive impressions on the new HSV GXP sedan and ute after 6pm today (23 February, 2010).
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