MIMS: Seven-litre monster at Melbourne -- HSV 427 lives!

Almost six years since the magic numbers 4, 2 and 7 were first linked with an HSV/HRT product, Holden's go-fast arm has confirmed it will finally build a seven-litre Commodore-based supercar. And you read it here first!

Dubbed the W427, the new car features GM's race-ready LS7 dry-sumped 7.0-litre naturally-aspirated V8. Unlike the 2002 HRT427, however, HSV is adamant the W427 will be built. It will also be street legal!

Unveiled this morning at Melbourne International Motor Show, the W427 promises to be the fastest, most powerful 'production' Holden ever. It is set to go into production in the middle of 2008 and will be available for sale in Team Red's dealerships in the third quarter".

Pricing has not been announced for the new model. HSV begins taking "expressions of interest" from prospective purchasers via its website (see here) this morning.

Labelled as the "last instalment of the company s 20th anniversary celebrations" by HSV Managing Director, Scott Grant, the W427 is "a tribute to how far the company has come in just 20 years."

Fittingly, therefore, the car Grant pulled the covers off moments ago is finished in the same Panorama Silver paint scheme as the original Walkinshaw (hence the 'W') Group A SS VL Commodore 'batmobile' released at the Melbourne show in 1988.

The W427 is therefore surprisingly subtle in the looks department but features an all-new front fascia, low-rise carbon-fibre rear spoiler and unique machined quad exhaust tips.

There have been considerable engineering changes under the skin. In addition to the underbonnet rework to accommodate the ex-Corvette Z06 engine's dry-sump oil-system's plumbing, the car gets bespoke six-piston brakes with floating 380mm front rotors plus a new "bimodal active exhaust system to improve noise quality and back pressure management".

The W427 also get's new 20-inch alloys and recalibrated stability control and Magnetic Ride Control (MRC) settings. The car rides 20mm lower than the current E-Series GTS on 30 per cent stiffer springs.

Inside the W427 gets HSV's performance seats upholstered in shocking 'red hot' leather complete with W427 logo and other upgrades.

HSV is claiming the LS7-engined W427 will produce more than 370kW and 640Nm at 6500 and 5000rpm respectively. In Corvette trim, the exact figures are 373kW at 6200 and 657Nm at 4800rpm. Indeed, the monster mill might displace almost a litre more than the current Holden V8, but it's a revver, safe to 7000rpm thanks to high-compression slipper-style pistons and titanium engine internals.

It is matched to a new TR6060 Tremec six-speed manual transmission -- coincidentally the same gearbox Ford fits to the GT500 Mustang and the new FG Falcon.

According to a company insider, HSV has invested "over seven figures" in developing the new model. However, in contrast to the Carsales Network's own speculation (more here) there have been no overseas markets secured for the four-door supercar to date.

HSV's Grant said HSV would be introducing "a unique customer relations program to accompany the launch of the new vehicle."

"The W427 will only be produced in limited numbers and we want to reflect that exclusivity in how we connect with our 'Supercar' customers," Grant said.

 "This program will see the LS7 engine being fitted at [HSV's assembly facility at] Clayton, along with the dry-sump system and a range of other engineering features. We are looking at opportunities to allow owners to visit HSV and view the unique manufacturing process that goes into building this car," Grant explained.

W427 provisional mechanical specifications

Suspension
• New springs, 30 per cent stiffer than GTS; All-new MRC damping calibration
• Revised ride height 20mm lower than GTS
• New stiffer rear suspension bushing

Brakes
• Six-piston front braking system with high-friction pad material (50 per cent increase in pad area)
• Strap drive, two-piece floating front rotors (380 x 35mm compared to 365 x 32mm one piece on GTS)

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