Holden Special Vehicles (HSV) was the performance division for the Australian car brand Holden, based in Clayton, Victoria and established in 1987 as a joint venture between Holden and Tom Walkinshaw Racing. It was shut down in 2020, with General Motors Specialty Vehicles as its successor.
It modified Holden models, including standard wheelbase Commodore, long wheelbase Caprice and Statesman, and commercial Ute for domestic and export sale, all of which were imported from the main Holden Elizabeth Plant. HSV had also modified other non-Holden cars within the General Motors lineup in low volumes.
HSV exported models to New Zealand and Singapore without rebranding, in the United Kingdom models were rebadged as the Vauxhall VXR8 and the Middle East as the Chevrolet Special Vehicles CR8.
History In 1987 Holden and Tom Walkinshaw Racing established the joint venture Holden Special Vehicles (HSV). It replaced Holden Dealer Team (HDT), after Holden severed ties with it and Peter Brock due to the controversy surrounding the Energy Polarizer.
The first car developed by HSV was the Holden VL Commodore SS Group A SV of 1988, which was badged and sold by Holden for Group A touring car racing homologation purposes. It went on to win the 1990 Bathurst 1000 race. The first car badged as a HSV was the SV88.
HSV initially used a facility in 1987 in Notting Hill, Victoria, starting vehicle production that July, and later moving to one in Clayton previously used by Nissan Motor Australia in December 1994. In 2018 Walkinshaw Automotive Group, including HSV moved to another facility, also in Clayton.
HSV ceased production of the Holden Caprice–based Grange in 2016. Holden Commodore-based models ceased production in 2017.
In mid-2018 HSV began converting (re-manufacturing) the Chevrolet Camaro 2SS coupe and Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD pickup truck from left-hand-drive to right-hand-drive to GM's factory standards. The vehicles were sold with a factory warranty via the existing HSV-Holden dealership network. It boosted job numbers from 130 to 150 staff in order to cope with production ramping up.
On 18 August 2020 General Motors announced the closure of Holden Special Vehicles and its replacement by General Motors Specialty Vehicles (GMSV). GMSV imports and distributes the Silverado in the Australasia region beginning in November 2020.
Nameplates The following is an alphabetical listing of the most notable and popular nameplates used by Holden Special Vehicles.
Avalanche The HSV Avalanche is an all-wheel drive crossover SUV that was produced from 2003 to 2005. Based on the Holden Adventra LX8 crossover wagon, the Avalanche range also incorporated a dual-cab utility model known as the Avalanche XUV, derived from the Holden Crewman Cross8. The Avalanche has been built over the following series: VY (2003–2005) VZ (2005)
ClubSport The HSV ClubSport is a full size sports sedan that has represented the brand's highest volume seller since its introduction in 1990. It was based on the mainstream Commodore range and has been the entry-level HSV model except between 1995 and 1998, when that role was filled by the Manta range. In 1999, HSV introduced a higher specification known as the "R8". The Clubsport has been built over the following series: VN (1990–1991) VP (1991–1993) VR (1993–1995) VS (1995–1997) VT (1997–2000) VX (2000–2002) VY (2002–2004) VZ (2004–2006) VE (2006–2013) VF (2013–2017)
Coupé The HSV Coupé is a high performance grand tourer that was produced from 2001 to 2006. It was based on the Holden Monaro, the Coupé adaptation of the third generation Holden Commodore. Its standard model range included the GTO and GTS. In 2004, the GTS was discontinued and the all-wheel drive Coupé4 introduced. Limited edition models included the GTO LE (2003 and 2006) and GTO Signature (2006). The Coupé has been built over the following series: V2 (2001–2002) V2 II (2002–2004) VZ (2004–2006)
Grange The HSV Grange is a full size sedan and it was based on the luxury Holden Statesman and Caprice twins. The Grange has represented the HSV brand's most top-of-the-line, luxury offering to date. Since 1997, this nameplate has replaced both the HSV Statesman and Caprice models. The Grange has been built over the following series: VS (1997–1999) WH (1999–2003) WK (2003–2004) WL (2004–2006) WM (2006–2013) WN (2013–2016)
GTS The HSV GTS is a full size high performance sedan that was based on the mainstream Commodore range. Excluding the special V6-engined editions sold in New Zealand in the VN and VP series, the proper and original V8-engined GTS was introduced in Australia in 1992 with the VP series. The GTS has represented the HSV brand's most powerful offering to date. With the exception of the Z Series, when it was not part of the range, the GTS has been built over the following series: In 1990, HSV built special V6-engined GTS models for New Zealand in the VN and VP series. VP (1991–1993) VR (1993–1995) VS (1995–1997) VT (1997–2000) VX (2000–2002) VY (2002–2004) VE (2006–2013) VF (2013–2017)
Maloo The HSV Maloo is a performance utility that has been produced since 1990 and was based on the Holden Ute. Its distinguishing features have been high-performance V8 engines and full body kits. The name "Maloo" means "thunder" in an Aboriginal language. It is said that former HSV managing director, John Crennan, coined the name for the vehicle after reading a book on Aboriginal Australians.
In 2001, HSV introduced a higher "R8" specification. In June 2006, a regular production Z Series Maloo R8 broke the record for the world's fastest production performance pickup, at 271 km/h, (168 mph) beating the previous record holder, a Dodge Ram SRT-10 by 22 km/h.
The Maloo has been built over the following series: VG (1990–1991) VP (1991–1993) VR (1993–1995) VS (1995–2000) VU (2000–2002) VY (2002–2004) VZ (2004–2007) VE (2007–2013) VF (2013–2017)
The most powerful and developed version was the Gen-F 430 kW GTS Maloo, which was launched in November 2014. It featured GTS sedan mechanicals except for the Magnetic Ride Control suspension setup that, due to limited development opportunities, HSV left exclusively for the GTS sedan, Senator Signature and Grange. This Maloo was originally limited to 165 units, later increased to 250 plus 10 for export to New Zealand.
Manta The HSV Manta is a full-size sports sedan, and wagon (VS series) that was first introduced in April 1995, Discontinued November 1998. It was established as the entry-level HSV model below the ClubSport, it was eventually dropped due to poor sales performance. The Manta was built over the following series: VS (1995–1997) VT (1997–1998)
Senator The HSV Senator is a full size luxury sports sedan that was first introduced in 1992. It was based on the Holden Berlina and Calais twins. From 1997, HSV offered a wagon variant (based solely on the Berlina, since the Calais was never built in that body shape) and a higher specification model known as the "Senator Signature". The Senator has been built over the following series: VP (1992–1993) VR (1993–1995) VS (1995–1997) VT (1997–2000) VX (2000–2002) VY (2002–2004) VZ (2004–2006) VE (2006–2013) VF (2013–2017)
SV88 The HSV SV88 was the first car to bear the HSV badge and was designed to compete against HDT's luxury performance Director model car. The SV88 was launched in 1988 and based on the VL Series luxury Calais.
SV91 VP (1991–1992)
W427 The HSV W427 was a limited edition flagship based on the E Series, which was released to celebrate the company's 20th anniversary in 2008. It was also a car produced to address the public disappointment caused by HSV canning its ambitious HRT 427 project previewed in 2002. It was powered by a LS7 V8 engine rated at at 6500 rpm and at 5000 rpm of torque.
XU6 The XU6 was a supercharged V6 model, it was an entry-level model in the HSV range, produced from 1998 to 2002. VT (1998–2000) VX (2000–2002)
Holden-based models by series
VL
The Holden VL Commodore SS Group A SV was the first car produced by HSV, It released in 1988. It produced and . All produced in 'Panorama Silver'. The VL Group A SS was also the first model to feature a fuel-injected version of the Holden V8. It was built as a homologation, and sold as a Holden.
The SV88 was based on the Holden Calais (VL). It used a carburetored Holden V8 producing and . It was the first car under the HSV marque. The SV F20 was powered by the turbocharged 3.0-litre Nissan RB30 producing and of torque. Only 2 units were produced, instead of the 20 planned.
The range of vehicles for this series included (in chronological order): Commodore SS Group A SV (badged as a Holden for racing homologation) SV88 SV F20
VN/VG/VQ
The VN series released in 1988. The VN Commodore SS Group A SV produced , 302 of the originally planend 500 units were produced. The SV3800 was powered by a 3.8-litre V6 producing . In 1990 the Maloo was introduced, based on the Holden Utility (VG). In 1900 the Clubsport was introduced.
The VN series also spawned HSV V6-engined regional models, which are less known and widely based on Holden Commodore models with HSV add-ons.
The range of vehicles for this series included (in alphabetical order): Challenger (special V6 built for Canberra dealers) ClubSport DMG90 (special V6 build for Queensland dealers) GTS V6 (New Zealand export) LS (VN sedan and wagon – wagon only available in New Zealand) LS (VG V6 utility) Maloo Statesman 5000i Statesman 5000i Statesman SV90 Statesman SV93 SV LE SV89 SV3800 SV5000 SV T-30 8-Plus Holden Commodore SS Group A SV (badged as a Holden for racing homologation)
VP
The VP Series was released in 1992. The Senator and GTS were introduced. The ClubSport and Senator produced . The GTS, ClubSport 500i, and Senator 5000i produced .
ClubSport Clubsport 5000i Sport Wagon. GTS Maloo Senator Senator 5000i SV91 Nitron Formula HSV+6
VR/VS
The VR series was released in 1993. Most of the range was powered by a 5.0-litre V8 producing , with the GTS and Senator 215i having a 5.7-litre stroked V8 producing .
The VS series was released in 1995. The Manta was introduced. In 1996 the Grange released, as part of the VS Series II range.
HSV's VR and VS range included: ClubSport (wagon available only in the VR Series) GTS Maloo Senator Statesman
HSV's VS range added: Manta Grange (from the VS Series III of 1996)
VT
The VT range was released in 1997. The Clubsport and Manta were powered 5.0-litre Holden V8 producing . The GTS was powered by a 5.7-litre V8 producing . The Senator Signature was powered by a 5.0-litre V8 at for the 195i and for the 220i. The XU8, which was the last model to carry last-ever Australian-made V8 engine (Holden V8 engine).
The VT Series II released in 1999, most of the range was powered by a 5.7-litre LS1 producing . The GTS was powered by a LS1 producing . The Manta was dropped. The XU6 was introduced in 1998, with a supercharged 3.8-litre V6 producing . The Clubsport R8 was introduced.
The Grange released in 1999, based on the WH Caprice, the 180i was powered by a supercharged L67 3.8 litre V6 producing or the 250 with a LS1 V8 producing . The 180i was dropped in 2000, the Grange's LS1 V8 increased in power in 2000, to . The WH II Grange released in September 2001.
HSV's VT range included: Manta ClubSport GTS Senator Signature Senator Signature wagon Grange Maloo (VS series based utility) SV99
The VT Series II range added: XU6 Clubsport R8
VX/VU
The HSV VX Series released in 2000. The output of the LS1 was increased to . The VU Ute saw the release of a new Maloo model, the R8 was added to the Maloo range. The Senator 300 was powered by an LS1 producing . In late 2001 the Coupé models released, based on the Holden Monaro.
The range included: XU6 ClubSport Clubsport R8 Senator Signature Senator 300 Grange GTS Maloo