HSV E Series 2 unveiled
|
|
|
The E Series 2 GTS (above) is one of the new models for HSV.
Distribution of the new models to dealers will begin next week.
|
|
|
Home >
News >
HSV
23rd September, 2009
Holden Special Vehicles has unveiled the all new E
Series 2 (E2) range featuring several Australian production car firsts, a significant new design
theme and a number of new driver features for Australia’s favourite luxury and performance car
company.
Managing Director Phil Harding said “We decided to make a major investment in new product,
features and performance, in a time of unprecedented economic turmoil,”.
“The new E2 range is yet another opportunity to demonstrate the engineering and design
excellence of HSV,” he added.
E Series 2 highlights
- The return of the GTS to the top of HSV’s performance pedigree with 325 kW of power, hi-flow
intermediate exhaust system with bi-modal mufflers, recalibrated Magnetic Ride Control with
stiffer springs and 8.5 inch front wheels as standard
- The addition of stunning Daytime Running Lamps throughout the range giving HSV owners greater
differentiation than ever before
- Fuel economy savings of up to 4.5%
- A dramatic new frontal shockwave graphic, with different interpretations
across the model line-up
- A number of new driver enhancements including ‘Competition Mode’ Electronic Stability Control
(ESC), Launch Control (manual only) and Extended Cruise Control
- A range of new options under the banner of ‘SV Enhanced’ including six piston front brake
callipers for GTS, a new ‘Performance Suspension’ for Clubsport R8, bi-modal exhaust on ClubSport
R8 sedan & Clubsport R8 Tourer, Maloo R8, Senator Signature and Grange
- No price increase on ClubSport R8, Clubsport R8 Tourer and Maloo R8, while GTS and Senator
Signature rise by just $700*.
* Maximum recommended retail price only. Subject to state taxes and delivery charges.
Phil Harding said HSV’s new 325 kW GTS continued the forty year tradition of the nameplate
being at the pinnacle of Australian performance motoring.
“To be able to deliver a sophisticated, striking modern day interpretation of the GTS
performance saloon – at an accessible price – is a tribute to our entire team,” he said.
Engineering
The HSV Engineering story behind E2 began not long after the release of E Series in August
2006.
The Holden VE architecture gave the HSV Engineering team a wonderful platform to work from
and in the three years since, a number of refinements, revisions, updates and upgrades via the
release of Grange, Maloo, Tourer and model year changes have bought HSV to the release of E
Series 2.
HSV E2 introduces a number of driver enhancements, as well as an increase in the power output
for the HSV GTS to 325 kW, but not at the expense of fuel economy.
Chief Engineer Joel Stoddart said one of the goals of the E2 development programme was to
improve fuel economy.
“We have achieved up to 4.5% improvement in fuel economy, with an auto ClubSport R8 now
returning 13.9 litres per 100 km,” he said.
Specific driver enhancements include;
- Competition Mode ESC allows enthusiastic driving, while still providing a high level of
support from ABS, Traction Control and Stability control systems. ESC will be compulsory in all
passenger vehicles sold in Australia from 2011.
- Intelligent Launch Control comes standard in all manual transmission HSV E2s and removes
the guess work from ‘off the line’ starts. Launch Control provides the ability to accelerate
from a standstill to the cars maximum potential.
- Extended Cruise Control provides additional confidence for the HSV E2 driver where their
vehicle will not exceed the speed they have set the cruise control to. This is particularly
important on downhill sections of road, greatly improving safety and minimising the risk of
exceeding the speed limit.
In addition to Extended Cruise Control, HSV’s Chief Engineer Joel Stoddart said HSV’s E2
safety story extended to the introduction of new Daytime Running Lamps (DRL).
“The introduction of DRLs not only make the car stand out more than ever on the road,
but are also a safety feature,” Joel Stoddart said.
“Recent European studies have shown that appropriate DRL’s can greatly reduce the number
of multi-vehicle accidents during the day time.”
Design
Chief of Design and Styling, Julian Quincey, said work on sketching E2 began in early 2007,
not long after the original E Series began delivering record sales for HSV.
“Our customers were telling HSV they loved the differentiation the new model delivered,
giving us the starting point for designing the next generation,” Julian Quincey said.
“We needed a new identity that would both excite the passionate HSV buyer and equally
one that could be picked out by the non car enthusiast.”
“This meant that our overall front and rear graphics had to be substantially changed
from the original E series and ideally also look lower, wider and more sporty,” he
said.
“This made the performance 'hood' a desirable addition to the ClubSport and GTS
models.”
“The twin bonnet intakes also work well with our signature twin 'nostril' grille and
the feature lines are very dynamic with a strongly angled taper to the front of the
car.”
HSV E2 also introduces a ‘shockwave’ graphic theme across the model line-up.
“The new theme runs across the front and rear graphics, design of the mesh, wheels and
exhaust tips,” Julian Quincey said.
The GTS wheel repeats the Shockwave graphic which is heavily emphasised with the use of a
polished front 'face'.
Similarly the ClubSport R8 picks up the dynamic angled spoke shape inspired by the graphic.
The exhaust tips complete HSV’s striking new look with stainless steel surrounds. Quincey said
the addition of ‘Daytime Running Lamps’ to the line-up made E2 stand out from the crowd.
“We felt that such a strong visual cue was crucial to the new cars identity and
visibility,” he said.
“I am proud of the entire new package, but particularly just how striking the front of
the car appears.”
Options and pricing – the return of ‘SV Enhanced’
HSV will launch E2 with no price increases for ClubSport R8, Maloo R8 and Tourer R8, while GTS
and Senator Signature price increases have been kept to less than 1%.
|
|
|
Self-Catering Holiday
Accommodation in
Denmark, WA
..... more
|
|
|
“To launch a new range of cars, with a stunning new look and significant driver enhancements
with no or little increase in price is great news for HSV customers,” General Manager of Sales
Darren Bowler said.
“We’re also committed to giving customers a range of performance options to truly customise
their HSV purchase”, he said.
The HSV E2 range allows significant customisation, with a number of options available for every
model, under the umbrella of ‘SV Enhanced’.
Customers choosing an SV Enhanced option will receive a new HSV exterior badge.
ClubSport R8 customers can option new ‘Performance’ suspension, bi-modal exhaust, 20 inch wheels
and leather interior trim.
ClubSport R8, Tourer R8 and Maloo R8 customers have the option of bi-modal exhaust, leather
interior trim and 20 inch wheels.
GTS customers can option six piston front brake callipers – with larger discs, finished in SV
Enhanced yellow. This option includes a unique accent finish for the 20 inch wheel design. GTS is
the only model in the E Series 2 range that includes bi-modal exhaust as standard.
Senator Signature and Grange customers can option bi-modal exhaust and 20 inch wheels.
Darren Bowler said the new range had been enthusiastically greeted by potential customers and
the HSV dealer network alike.
“To have dozens of customers putting deposits on HSV E2 product – sight unseen – demonstrates
how strong our brand is, even in the midst of an economic downturn,” Darren Bowler said.
| 
