HSV introduces LS3

The mainstream range of Holden Special Vehicles has officially adopted the C6 Corvette's LS3 engine in place of the discontinued LS2 engine.

With a peak power figure of 317kW, the new HSV engine delivers more grunt than either FPV's new Boss 315 V8 or the F6 turbo six (more here). However, both the Ford-based rivals deliver more torque (albeit by just one Newton-metre, in the case of the Boss engine). Note further information on the FPV engines here, ahead of the media launch for that new range.

Both the superseded LS2 engine and the new LS3 share the same stroke, but the 6.2-litre LS3's bore measures 103.25mm, accounting for the new engine's extra 200cm3 displacement. Peak power is 317kW -- developed at 6000rpm -- and 550Nm of maximum torque occurs at 4600rpm.

The LS3 is fitted to the ClubSport R8, GTS, Senator Signature, Maloo R8 and Grange. All vehicles, other than the Senator and the Grange can be identified by the '317' badge on the left of the bootlid, signifying the car's power output in kilowatts.

HSV claims improved fuel economy from the new engine, in some applications (Grange and Maloo), in spite of its enhanced performance. Automatic short-wheelbase sedans (ClubSport R8, GTS and Senator) now return a figure of 14.5L/100km from the LS3, as opposed to 14.4 for the LS2 counterparts. Similarly, manual ClubSport R8 and GTS post 15.3L/100km with the LS3 engine, versus 15.2 for the LS2 models. Fuel consumption for the Grange LS3 is 15.0L/100km -- as opposed to 15.2 for the LS2 Grange. For the Maloo R8 auto, consumption is now 14.7L/100km (LS2: 14.9) and the for the Maloo R8 manual, consumption is now 15.7L/100km (LS2: 15.8).

The LS3 engine is actually detuned from its standard Corvette application and HSV has advises that the LS3 is distinguished from the LS2 by:

Coupled to the new engine, the six-speed automatic transmission is now fitted as standard with a transmission cooler and has been recalibrated to suit the LS3 application. The transmission's torque converter now achieves a partial lock in fourth, fifth and sixth gears in default mode. Kickdown has been recalibrated from top to third, top to second and fifth to second.

Sequential shifting through the 'tapshift' has been revised for faster shifting and shifting with power on during changes from first to second and second to third have been similarly recalibrated.

HSV has introduced Performance Mode Lift Foot (PMLF) in the sports mode, meaning the transmission will hold lower gears in certain circumstances -- cornering being one such circumstance.

The LS3-powered cars are still E-Series models and HSV insists that the LS3 introduction is a "running change" only. Along with the new engine, however, HSV has introduced three new colours: Sting Red, Karma and Voodoo. An aggressively styled 20-inch alloy wheel is named Pentagon and can be specified as a $2500 option for the ClubSport R8, Senator Signature and Grange. For no extra cost, it can also be ordered with the GTS and Maloo R8 fitted with option pack.

HSV has also introduced a silver brake calliper in lieu of the previous red calliper for the Senator Signature and Grange. ClubSport R8, GTS and Maloo continue with red calipers.

Darren Bowler, HSV's General Manager for Sales and Marketing, speaking at the presentation of the LS3 models to the automotive press, advised that the company's order bank, ahead of the LS3's introduction is at roughly the same level as 18 months ago, when customers were awaiting the release of the VE Commodore-based E-Series.

"At the moment, demand is certainly outstripping supply with our customers waiting about two and a half months for our cars," he added.

Prices for the E-Series models with LS3 power have risen slightly through a range from 1.3 to 2.8 per cent. Details follow.

Maloo R8 $61,550
Maloo R8 auto $63,750
ClubSport R8 $64,550
ClubSport R8 auto $66,750
GTS $76,990
GTS auto $79,190
Senator Signature $79,190
Grange $84,690

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