HSV: A timeline of Aussie-made muscle

1987-88: In the beginning
GM Holden and Tom Walkinshaw parted ways with the late, great Peter Brock after the controversy that surrounded Brock's Energy Polariser and the HDT Director.

Walkinshaw moved to create Holden Special Vehicle (HSV) in 1987, when the company essentially replaced the Holden Dealer Team (HDT) and HSV initially developed the 5.0-litre V8-powered VL-series Commodore SS Group A for racing homologation.

The Calais-based SV88 followed in 1988, producing 180kW/380Nm, hitting 100km/h in 6.9sec and boasting a top speed of 230km/h.

HSV went on to develop the Astra-based SV1800 the same year (when only 65 were built), then produced the 3.8-litre V6-powered VN-series Commodore SV3800 until May 1990.

1989-90: The first ute and Statesman
The ‘SV’ nameplate carried HSV’s model range into the 1990s. The SV88, SV1800 and SV3800 were superseded by the Berlina-based SV89, SV6, SV LE and SV5000. The low-volume LE sold for four months from October 1989.

Six and eight-cylinder models continued to sell into 1990, and the 8 Plus, GTS V6 (New Zealand only), DMG90 (Queensland only) and Challenger (ACT only) were joined by SV T-30 in June 1990.

In 1990 HSV introduced of the ClubSport nameplate for the first time and produced its first Statesman-based SV90 and ute-based Maloo. The VN-series Commodore SS Group A SV was also produced.

1991-92: Names we grew to love
Obscure, limited-released builds continued alongside more well-known models in the early 1990s, though the ‘SV’ prefix largely maintained its presence. As Holden changed over from VN to VP Commodore models, so too did HSV.

From the VN series, HSV produced the limited-run Plus 6 and one-off SV91. The dealer-special SV T-30 appeared again, while LS, sedan wagon and ute models were also built.

Later in 1991 came the Statesman 5000i, followed by Commodore-based ClubSport and Sport Wagon variants. HSV finished 1991 by producing a short run of SV91 variants.

HSV nomenclature changed again in 1992 with many badges launched that still appear today. Alongside the +Six came names including Maloo, Senator, and GTS, as well as Statesman 5000i and SV93 variants and the limited-production Nitron and GTS V6 (New Zealand only).

1993-94: HSV goes SUV
Many of the badges that adorned HSVs continued into 1993-94. The +Six contined in VP Series II form, while ClubSport, Senator and Maloo carried on. HSV launched its ‘Formula’ plated VP-based sedan and ClubSport wagon, the ClubSport 5000i joining Senator 5000i and Senator 185i variants.

HSV also launched 5th Anniversary versions of the Senator and Senator 5000i, Statesman, Maloo, and ClubSport sedan and wagon.

A cosmetic upgrade to the Isuzu-sourced Jackaroo saw HSV create its first SUV in 1993, the short-lived production run totalling only 79 examples.

For 1994, HSV upped the output of selected models from 185 to 215kW, with badging to match. Included were the Senator 215i, Statesman 215i (sold alongside 185i variants) and Caprice 215i. The GTS also received a power upgrade but was simply badged ‘GTS’.

1995-96: The Grange era
As the VR series come to an end, so too did obscure, short-lived nameplates, the only exception to the rule being the limited-run Manta sedan and wagon.

HSV now offered a sold six ‘mainstream’ models over three bodystyles: ute, sedan and long-wheelbase sedan. Respectively the variants were sold as Maloo, ClubSport, Senator 185i, Senator 215i, GTS, Statesman 185i, Statesman 215i, and Caprice 215i.

The full-luxe Grange joined the range in 1996, based on Holden’s Caprice, as did the now highly sought-after GTS-R 215i and its choice of standard or “blueprinted” engines.

1997-98: A decade in the making
HSV carried over many of the models familiar to its outgoing VS range to Holden’s new VT series. The Manta made a comeback, this time with a 195i engine, while Maloo, ClubSport, GTS and Grange (185i and 215i) names continued.

Senator Signature sedan and wagon models were introduced, offered with 195i (195kW) and 220i (220kW) V8 engines.

HSV celebrated its 10th anniversary as a brand in the usual fashion, by introducing a range of 10th Anniversary models; Maloo, ClubSport and Senator Signature 220i models all wearing the title.

HSV also introduced its short-lived XU6 180i (supercharged V6) and XU8 195i (V8) models in 1998, the latter the last to feature the long-serving Australian-built 5.0-litre V8; the ‘XU’ designation recalling Holden’s Torana GT-R XU-1 days of the late 1960s.

1999-2000: Chevrolet power
The superchanged V6-powered XU6 continued into the new millennium, albeit without the ‘180i’ tag. It ran alongside a similarly-powered Senator and Grange, of which only six of each were built.

ClubSport models – including the limited-release ‘Hackett’ – were sold alongside higher-spec ClubSport R8 models for the first time, while the ‘SV’ nameplate made a comeback with the SV99. Like those models, the Maloo (now in VS Series II form) featured a 195kW of the Chevrolet donor engine.

The Senator range was now sold with a 250kW version of the staple Chevrolet-sourced 5.7-litre V8 now found in derivative Holden models, and offered in both Senator 250i and higher-spec Senator Signature sedan and wagon variants, as did the Grange 250i.

Power was upped once more for the flagship GTS 300i, now offering an impressive 300kW courtesy of Reeves-Callaway.

2001-02: ‘Monaro’ returns
HSV launched its GTO and GTS coupes in 2001 to coincide with Holden’s new Monaro. Although the two-door models never wore ‘Monaro’ badging, they did sit at the top the VX and ‘V2’ series range.

Elsewhere in the range it was business as usual. The Maloo (now based on the VU series ute) was offered in standard and R8 form, as was the sedan-based ClubSport.

The classy Senator split into Senator Signature 255i and Senator 300i forms, the 300kW engine also offered in the limited-run SV300.

Long-wheelbase Grange 255i offered the 255kW V8, while the soon to be discontinued XU6 badge reintroduced the 180i suffix to its title.

2002-03: The AWD era
As HSV marked its ‘proper’ 15th anniversary, ClubSport, ClubSport R8 and Maloo R8 models wore the badge to celebrate.

Regular (non R8) Maloo variants were again offered, as were ‘Y-Series’ Maloo R8, ClubSport, ClubSport R8, Senator and Senator Signature and GTS models.

HSV continued to sell its GTO and GTS coupes, the latter exported to the UK as the Vauxhall Monaro VXR. The coupe was also offered as the high-feature GTO LE.

The high-riding Avalanche SUV, based on Holden’s Adventra and HSV’s first all-wheel drive (if you don’t count the Jackaroo), arrived at the end of 2003.

The Grange continued, and was based on Holden’s WK-series Caprice.

2004-05: Exciting times
HSV was arguably at its peak in the mid ‘noughties’. The model range covered ute and sedan variants in short and long-wheelbase, as well as coupes and wagons – the largest mix of bodystyles ever.

The ClubSport and ClubSport R8 were sold alongside limited-edition SE variant, the ‘Z-Series’ (based on the VZ Holden range) upgrade also applied to Maloo and Maloo R8 variants, the Avalanche and Avalanche XUV (wagon and dual-cab utility) and the newly-launched all-wheel drive Coupe4. Coupe models were also offered in GTO and GTS grades.

At the luxury end of the spectrum, Senator (note the omission of ‘Signature’) and Grange continued.

In 2005 the SV6000 revised a once-familiar naming structure, the limited-edition model offered only in Devil Yellow or Phantom Black paint.

Lighter weight, manual-only and performance-enhanced ClubSport and ClubSport R8 and GTO coupe models were also offered in optional Dealer Team Spec form for just one month (July).

2006-07: The Astra returns
As well as its regular model mix – which now omitted the Adventra and Crewman-based variants – the remaining Z-series HSV line-up included a number of ‘race replica’ specials based on the Holden Racing Team and Toll HSV Dealer Team V8 Supercar livery.

V8 Supercar driver, Mark Skaife, also had a limited-edition Senator Signature model named in his honour.

With the introduction of the ‘E-Series’ range, the ClubSport R8 was exported as both the Chevrolet Special Vehicles CR8 and Vauxhall VXR8. Coupe models were now in run-out (in GTO and GTO LE form) and the GTS nameplate now applied only to the sedan.

HSV returned to four-cylinder turbo models in 2006 with the AH Astra-based VXR, while 100 examples of the ClubSport celebrated the marque’s 20th Anniversary.

2008-09: Enter the W427
While the ClubSport R8 and Maloo R8 ‘Murph Special Edition’ -- named after NZ racer Greg Murphy -- were all the rage across the ditch, and the Senator SV08 and VXR Nurburgring Edition sold quietly Down Under, the big noise of the era was the 7.0-litre V8-powered W427.

This hard-charging flagship was initially released to celebrate HSV’s 20th Anniversary, but didn’t go on sale until 2008. Power came from a Chevrolet-sourced LS7 (375kW/640Nm) driving the rear wheels via a toughened six-speed manual gearbox.

The GTS-derived W427 (not to be confused with the HRT 427) also offered recalibrated Magnetic Ride Control dampers, stiffer suspension, larger six-piston (front) brakes and a strengthened limited-slip differential.

To date, the W427 was HSV’s most powerful and most expensive model ever built, retailing for $155,500 (plus on-road costs).

2010-12: A face only a mother could love
In 2010 the Maloo celebrated its 20th anniversary with the aptly named 20 Years of Maloo edition. The Maloo R8 and ClubSport R8 were also sold as the ‘GXP’, wearing the face of US brand Pontiac’s model of the same name.

A year later, ClubSport R8 models were joined by the SV Black Edition and Tourer Black Edition, the all-black theme applied to Maloo R8 versions as well; while a very limited ClubSport R8 SV-R (just four were made) was built for the Queensland Police.

In 2012 the ClubSport and ClubSport R8 was lightly refreshed once more (as a MY12.5 update), while the flagship GTS celebrated its 25th Anniversary with a limited-edition model of the same name.

2013-14: The ‘quickest ever’ HSV arrives
A year later, ClubSport and ClubSport R8 and Maloo and Maloo R8 models, were again bolstered by an SV Enhanced package, while the GTS was again exported to the UK, this time as the Vauxhall VXR8.

HSV launched its ‘quickest ever’ supercharged GTS GEN-F2 LSA in 2013 and re-launched its made-over Grange.

The GTS GEN-F2 LSA offered 430kW/740Nm, 4.4sec 0-100km/h and 12.3sec 0-400m – all for $92,990. The ‘GTS’ took-out eighth place at motoring.com.au’s inaugural Australia’s Best Driver’s Car awards.

While little changed across the HSV range in 2014, the GTS Maloo did spark interest for ute enthusiasts and collectors with the limited-edition model featuring the GTS sedan’s supercharged V8 and selling just 240 examples.

2015-16: Supercharged power to the people
HSV’s range was now powered exclusively by a Chevrolet-sourced 6.2-litre V8, in normally-aspirated and supercharged (LSA) form.

Starting from $62,600 the 17-variant range included familiar names like Maloo, ClubSport, Senator Signature, GTS and Grange, as well as Senator SV and ClubSport R8 25th Anniverary models in 2015.

The range was bolstered again by the arrival of the SV Black and Track Edition limited-edition models in 2016 – all were normally-aspirated.

HSV also offered supercharged versions of its ‘regular’ Maloo R8 and ClubSport R8 (alongside normally-aspirated variants) in 2016, the ClubSport R8 LSA taking out sixth place in motoring.com.au’s Australia’s Best Driver’s Car awards.

2016 also saw the end of HSV’s long-wheelbase model after 26 years, the model farewelled with its own SV Black run-out edition.
2017: The most-powerful HSV ever
With Holden’s local manufacturing coming to a close, so too will HSV’s ‘familiar’ model range. The Commodore-based derivatives won’t go quietly into the night, however, with two distinct ‘families’ and eight unique vehicles signalling the end of the ‘Zeta’ Commodore-based range.

To celebrate its 30th anniversary, HSV will launch a 30 Years range across Maloo R8, ClubSport R8, ClubSport Tourer R8, Senator Signature and GTS models.

Each is enhanced with equipment and technology highlights, as well as a 410kW (+10kW), 691Nm (+20Nm) version of HSV’s 6.2-litre supercharged LSA engine (the GTS remains unchanged at 430kW/740Nm in GTS).

HSV's standard MY17 '30 Years' range will be topped by a three-variant GTSR range, recalling the nameplate last used in 1996. GTSR Maloo and sedan variants are set to feature a 435kW/740Nm version of the GTS’ LSA engine, the flagship GTSR W1 offering “in excess of” 470kW/800Nm thanks to its Corvette-sourced 6.2-litre supercharged LS9 V8.

Beyond 2017, HSV will turn its focus to the imported, German-made Holden Commodore based on Opel's next Insignia, and the Clayton-based tuning shop is certain to produce something special from the V6-powered, all-wheel drive range-topper.

HSV will soon reveal more about its all-new MY18 range, which will also include a range of other non-traditional vehicles when it emerges after Holden ceases production of its VFII Commodore in October.

Watch this space!