No 'super car scare': HSV's Harding

Holden Special Vehicles (HSV) boss, Phil Harding has dismissed suggestions his company's latest performance flagship could rekindle the scare that halted local production of high-performance cars in the 1970s.

The new HSV GTS features a supercharged 6.2-litre V8 that produces 430kW. This is more than all three twin-turbo German large sedan 'hero' cars: BMW's M5 (412kW), Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG (410kW) and Audi's RS6 (412kW) and positions the GTS as Australia's most powerful production car ever.

It easily eclipses iconic Australian performance cars such as the Ford Falcon GTHO – one of the cars that in part prompted the 1972 'super car scare'.

The furore erupted in June 1972 when news of Ford's XA Falcon-based Phase IV GTHO hit the general media. Headlines proclaiming the arrival of "160mph super cars" saw Ford and other local manufacturers kill off the models after government sanctions were threatened. Ironically, the Sun Herald front page article by respected writer, Evan Green, went on to state the development of the models would bring a new level of handling and braking ability to Australian built cars.

It's the evolution of this all-around ability, and modern driver aids, that Harding says makes the GTS a different proposition.

"We’re filling a segment that’s occupied by some very prestigious brands at the moment, with similar power outputs and torque levels. I assume you’ve asked the same [supercar scare] question of them?" Harding shot back at motoring.com.au when quizzed at a HSV briefing recently.

"... With all the electronic [safety] devices on the car, your son can – if he was old enough – or your wife could drive this car [HSV GTS] in total safety. It’s only when you’re brave enough to switch all the electronic stuff off that... it’ll test your driving capabilities.

Harding says in building the GTS, HSV is capitalising on what is a performance-orientated market.

He says that dealers will not 'vet' GTS buyers. Nor will any special training or driver instruction be included in the purchase price. Buyers will, however, be offered drive day opportunities via existing HSV programs.

He says the GTS is "something to be proud of and... something for Australia to fill a segment that currently is dominated by imports".

"We want to fill that segment with an Australian-produced car. That’s something to be pleased with

"There will be a segment [of the populace/media] that talks of hooning and that sort of stuff, but if you look at our whole range, and our typical customer... Our typical customer is married, 45, two kids [and] the number one interest is motor sport. I think he’d be pretty insulted if he was called a hoon.

"He’s often the Director or a Managing Director of his own business, or a Director of another business, and the type of guy that’s going to buy a GTS has been buying premium product from other brands for a while... To be classified as anything other than a very fortunate guy, I think, would be an insult," Harding opined.

According to Harding, the company's previous performance flagship, the limited edition W427, did not attract any negative feedback from authorities.

"I don’t think I’ve received any negative criticism on the 427, so why would we expect it now?" he stated.

He says he doesn't anticipate the new car will be singled out by any road safety or allied bodies.

"That would be a little bit negative towards the Australian industry, wouldn’t it... Because we’re not the first in this segment with that type of car. [The general] Media probably would enjoy that... But you guys wouldn’t," he said.

Read the latest news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at carsales' mobile site…