HSV VY Series 2002 Review

Fancy yourself a hot-shoe shuffler? A dab hand at the wheel? A six shootin' gun steerer? I did, until V8 Supercar driver, two time Bathurst champ, and top notch Kiwi Greg Murphy cured me. I can hold my own on a twisty road, lap a track with the best of the hacks, and drive a dirt road without disgrace. But when it comes to real car control - we're talking the ability to oversteer slide a car along exactly the same line, time after time - you can't beat the professionals.

Murph's the bloke behind the wheel of the photo (above). His weapon of choice is the latest range of Holden Special Vehicles' Commodores. He's sliding it because he can. And because it's fun for us to watch. GTS manual sedan, Senator auto sedan, Maloo manual ute: six runs each, both directions, and it doesn't matter. Inch perfect every time. Bastard.

HSV reckons this VY range of special vehicles is the easiest yet to steer on the throttle. Significant changes to the front suspension and steering rack endow it with levels of front-end grip and corner attack it's never had before. That other V8 Supercar driver, Mark Skaife, spent plenty of development hours getting it all just right, tweaking the dampers for better bump soaking, while improving body control and handling.

Sounds like competing goals: softer ride, firmer handling. The key is what Skaife calls "digressive" rate dampers. Firmer on initial and low speed damping improves turn in, much softer on high speed work soaks up road bumps (we're talking damper speed, not road speed).

Subsequently, the outside front resists body roll better, keeping the inside front more in contact with the road. This translates into improved front end grip which is immediately obvious on turn in. Different steering valving has endowed this generation HSV with a more evenly weighted steering feel that's more linear and progressive off centre.

Changes to mapping and throttle cam control, combined with suspension payoffs at the rear, deliver a stronger punch out of corners and more controllable, progressive power delivery on part throttle. This HSV powers out of turns with more aggression and attack than ever before.

On paper power is up just 5kiloWatts to 260kW on most models. The GTS remains unchanged at 300kW, but it's the delivery of power and the way it's fed to the ground that puts the VY models a step above their predecessors. The six-speed manual gearbox remains unchanged, the auto 'box benefits from throttle enhancements to shift slightly smoother on all but full throttle up-changes.

Punters will immediately spot the visual differences on the new cars, with significant changes to the front and rear graphics. There's a subtle Formula One air about the raised front spoiler lip, and new wheel designs across the range dramatically improve the cars' on road stance.

Perhaps the biggest visual change is inside the cabin, with VY Commodore's new dash layout, HSV-enhanced, forming the basis for an almost total interior makeover. The four dial instrument cluster has a classier feel about it, and the integrated digital display now reveals your car's unique build number on startup. HSV models add two centrally mounted dials - oil pressure and battery voltage - which Commodore doesn't have.

All new seat fabric throughout the range finishes the interior makeover, which, along with all-new steering wheel with alloy-look spokes, and cross drilled alloy pedals give an intense, purposeful ambience to the cabin.

CarPoint drove all models three weeks ahead of the HSV Y Series launch in October, spending most of the time in the range-topping GTS sedan. The GTS is back in the lineup, but only 100 will be built, some with an optional automatic gearbox for the first time.

The balance of the range is made up of Maloo ute, Maloo R8 ute, ClubSport, ClubSport R8, Senator and Senator Signature. The supercharged, six cylinder XU6 sedan has been dropped from the line, and will be replaced by a turbocharged six when Holden's new HFV6 engine plant comes on line in 2004.

Whichever way you cut it, HSV has improved its breed, producing a high-performance sports sedan that is at the same time more comfortable, more upmarket and more aggressive to drive. And they're all qualities we've got plenty of time for.

HSV Y SERIES - the changes:

» Maloo Ute
All-new interior
260kW 5.7-litre V8
18inch wheels/tyres
Dual exhausts
Climate control air-conditioning
Performance brakes
(R8 gains leather interior and premium brakes)

» ClubSport
All-new interior
260kW 5.7-litre V8
18inch wheels/tyres
Climate control air-conditioning
Performance brakes
(R8 gains leather interior and premium brakes)

» Senator
All-new interior
260kW 5.7-litre V8
18inch wheels/tyres
variable rate damping
(Signature gains 19inch wheels, premium brakes, seat upgrade)

» GTS
Limited run: 100 only will be built
All-new interior
300kW 5.7-litre V8
19inch wheels/tyres
6-sp manual and 4-sp auto gearboxes
AP Racing brakes