HSV back to base
Holden will offer HSV-branded dress-up kits for the new VE. Does this signal the Lion's icon brand is about to be dragged back to the pack?Can you imagine a VW Polo with an Audi Sports Pack? Or a BMW with a Rolls Royce luxury pack? Perhaps a Fairmont Ghia with a Jaguar Sports Pack? Strange as it seems, Holden has announced it will offer the base VE Omega with HSV branded and developed option packs.
To be marketed under the Holden Special Vehicles Individual (HSVi) badge, base-model Omega buyers will be able to opt for the choice of three special equipment packages -- HSVi Sports Pack, HSVi Performance Pack or HSVi Business Pack.
When previously the entry price for Holden's premium HSV brand was at the top end of its own range, these new HSV packs will appear for a relatively low premium above the VE's entry figure.
The packs are simple and superficial in their scope. In other words, there is no trace of special vehicle engineering or exclusivity. The HSVi branding and concept has no relationship with the heritage of special vehicle engineering of complete vehicles in the original HSV context.
Those enthusiasts who suggested the HSV-rebadging of complete Astra VXR imports as the thin end of the wedge may have been proven correct.
Holden's justification is that the previous HBD (Holden by Design) branding was neither strong nor logical enough. Even though HBD was a TWR sister company to HSV, both Holden and HSV previously went to enormous lengths to keep them separate.
Now, the HSV name is being used in much the same way as NASCO, Holden's icon early Holden accessory line.
Holden dubs the kits as "accessory packs". Walkinshaw Performance will also have a range of dress-up gear for the VE.
The HSVi Sports Pack features a body kit, spoiler and 19-inch alloys. The Performance Pack gets 20-inch alloys, colour-matched steering wheel and track stripes that resemble the rally panels on the original Monaros. The Business Pack gets 18-inch 'Challenge' alloy wheels, Bluetooth preparation and rear parking sensors.
Try to reconcile that lot with your limited edition $100K HSV GTO or Grange!
If there is one consolation, both Holden and HSV must be confident that the new HSV VE range will have the wings to lift it clear of Holden's new Super Cheap Auto approach to a special VE Commodore.
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