HSV turns up the heat

The 12-month cease fire in the Ford versus Holden power war is about to be broken.

A year after the new Ford Falcon went on sale, Holden Special Vehicles is planning a more powerful range of V8s. Holden dealers have begun telling customers about HSV's Series II VE range due to go on sale in October.

Incredibly, some of the details have appeared on social networking websites such as Twitter.

A post by "MotoramaHSV" says: "HSV are releasing a new model in October including new 20-inch wheel options on GTS and Clubsport, and two new colours, Poison Ivy and Wild Fire."

But the Carsales Network understands these changes barely scratch the surface of the HSV VE's first significant overhaul. If history repeats, the 6.2-litre V8 is expected to make another 10kW step up in power, to 327kW.

The VE HSV launched in August 2006 with 307kW from its 6.0-litre LS2 V8, and power went up to 317kW when the 6.2-litre LS3 V8 was fitted in April 2008. HSV is yet to announce exact power figures or fuel economy claims for the Series II but dealers have been told there will be "an improvement" on the current car.

If HSV steps up to 327kW, this would increase the power gap between its engine and that of the FPV GT, which has 315kW. Currently, both flagship V8s are separated by just 2kW difference.

According to magazine reports, FPV is said to be working on reviving the famous GTHO, with a target of 350kW from either a 5.8-litre V8 or a supercharged 5.0-litre V8, but it will not arrive in showrooms for two years.

In the meantime, the HSV Series II power gain is expected to come from improvements to engine management calibration, as well as new exhausts designed to give HSV's typically quiet V8s more of a roar.

Cosmetic changes are understood to have been kept to a minimum although there are rumours the Clubsport R8, GTS sedans and the Maloo ute could all get the twin nostril bonnet from the Pontiac G8 -- or one similar to it. The 20-inch wheels are also expected to be redesigned so that they can accommodate larger, six-piston brakes, which may become an option across the range. There is also said to be a more advanced traction control system.

For its part, HSV is refusing to confirm or deny any of the information in the reports, other than saying there will be an update later in the year.

Dealers have told the Carsales Network that the Series II HSV range will have a number of "technology firsts" for Australia, but did not elaborate what they were. Meanwhile, about the same time, the regular Commodore range is expected to get direct injection V6s and five- and six-speed automatic transmissions across the V6 range, but Holden dealers are yet to be notified of the updates.

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