2010 Holden Hsv Gts E2
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HSV E2 GTS Review & Road Test
With more front than Elle and bigger balls than the Rundle Mall, this is how Australia does Grand Touring.
What we love
- Performance
- exhaust note
- strong braking
- neutral handling
What we don't
- Cabin rattles
- quality of some interior plastics
- steering ratio
With more front than Elle and bigger balls than Rundle Mall, this is how Australia does Grand Touring.
Model Tested:
- 2010 HSV E2 GTS; 6.2-litre, eight-cylinder, petrol; six-speed manual; four-door sedan - $80,990*
Options:
- Six-Piston Brakes $3,790
Australia has quite the tradition of making a damn quick four-door sedan, in fact 40 years ago we famously produced the fastest four-door on the planet, and while our efforts may have grown more powerful since, with ever-growing output figures year after year, the excitement and the underlying appeal of such top-end offerings seemed to fall flat compared to the brutal power and garish styling offered in heady days of the early 1970s. Until now.
HSV's new bold as brass HSV GTS screams 'fast' - if that's OK with you, and proves that when it comes to making a statement - or indeed to making some serious V8 mumbo - the lucky country hasn't lost its Midas touch.
Like it or hate it, the angular, edgy looks of the new HSV GTS are as in your face as it gets, and while the standout appearance is truly better in the metal, even hardened HSV loyalists might find certain elements of the GTS's new fangled styling a little over the top, as they don't quite suit the familiar, more subdued VE contours.
But subtle simply wasn't in the design brief, and that's not altogether a bad thing, I mean who buys a GTS to blend in with the mob? If you ask me the ostentatious approach is a far better representation of the car's true personality, and with its pumped muscular stance none-too subtly hinting at the enhanced performance credentials beneath, this bold approach is an apt way of showing the GTS rightfully retains its title as king of the Aussie muscle brigade.
Under that large, nostril-fronted bonnet lies the augmented 325kW heart of the new GTS - a ballsy 6.2-litre V8 engine with enough torque to ensure those huge 275/30 R 20 rear tyres will break traction wet or dry to deliver straight-line performance that would put the odd BMW M car to shame.
A ground pounding 550Nm of torque is sent to the rear wheels in shock-wave of grunt via a sweet, short-shifting six-speed manual gearbox with an involving mechanical feel to deliver 0-100km/h times HSV claims at 4.9 seconds. The best we could do after three runs was 5.3 seconds, according to VBOX.
Engaging launch control is the ctrl-alt-delete sequence from hell. But the result's a jaw-dropper. With the car's Traction Control set to 'Competitive Mode' it's a simple case of selecting first gear, building the revs to a touch over 4000rpm (you'll hear them hold at this point, any more and you've missed a step) and sidestep that meaty W427-sourced clutch, a move that takes immense faith because of the potential for mechanical destruction with that much shock loading underfoot, as you mash the throttle to the firewall. A flat change in to second gear will see the big V8's revs climb quickly to redline for the second time in what feels like as many seconds and sure enough, 100km/h comes up as quick as silver.
It's quick, bloody quick, and even if we couldn't match HSV's times, that isn't a reflection on the car. Besides, there aren't too many places you can try this on without being labeled a hoon.
Riding on a strut front / multi-link rear arrangement specifically tuned for those huge 20-inch rims, the GTS also includes HSV's dual-mode (Normal and Track) Magnetic Ride Control system to instantly firm the dampers at the push of a button. The car handles like something half as heavy; a composed cruiser with oversteer on demand at the dab of the throttle.
The bus-like leather-clad steering wheel feels quite comfortable in hand with more than enough communication to keep you in the loop, though the ratio is a touch long for the car's ability and intent.
Braking is strong enough to stop a Hercules with HSV's optional six-pot yellow calipers well and truly worth the $3790 asking price. The pedal feel is firm, but suitably progressive and with late threshold ABS as standard, the GTS could comfortably tackle a track day without raising a sweat.
Completing the package, the GTS is also fitted as standard with HSV's active bi-modal exhaust (a $2290 option on other HSV models), that according to HSV "manages back pressure and noise quality" for a real V8 bark over 4000rpm. The crackle on gear change is absolutely intoxicating on cold mornings, and once hot, makes a blissful deep burble and pop on overrun that is music to the ears of any bent-eight purist.
Although hardly a concern at this end of the performance scale, the GTS returned a combined fuel consumption figure of 15.7L/100km during our test, only half a litre more than the ADR result.
Inside, the GTS's cockpit remains unchanged from its predecessor, but still does the job with minimum bother. The layout is rather straightforward and all of the features are easy to operate, but on the downside, some of the interior fit and finish is well below that of Japanese cars costing a third the price, and the car we tested boasted several niggling interior rattles that would disappoint if you had just forked over $80k for them.
The seating is generous in size, almost too generous, and while the larger framed person will no doubt feel comfortable, smaller adults and children may find the seats lack lateral support. Disappointingly for the price tag, the front seats are only of mechanical/electrical adjustment instead of being fully electric. The seats are adjustable in all the usual directions while the steering also offers both tilt and reach adjustment.
Standard equipment includes a six-CD tuner with steering wheel-mounted audio controls and a 3.5mm auxiliary input jack, cruise control, Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity, dual-zone climate control air conditioning, binnacle gauges, power windows and mirrors plus remote central locking. Satellite navigation, an electric tilt and slide sunroof, full-size matching alloy spare wheel and overhead rear DVD played are optional.
With all that performance on tap, HSV has still made certain the GTS is as safe as any offering in the current VE range. Standard safety equipment includes front, side and curtain airbags, ESC with Traction Control and ABS brakes. Head restraints and three-point inertia reel seatbelts are offered in all five seating positions while the front seat occupants get pyrotechnic pretenioners on their belts. The E2 GTS achieves a maximum possible five-star ANCAP safety rating.
At a touch over 80 grand, the new GTS is a cheap way to get yourself in to the performance arena of the six-figure European big boys, which you have to admit, makes the E2 GTS a Bathurst-flavoured bargain.
*Pricing is a guide as recommended to us by the manufacturer and does not include dealer delivery, on-road and statutory charges.
Ratings:
CarAdvice Overall Rating:
Ratings Breakdown
Source: https://www.drive.com.au/reviews/hsv-e2-gts-review-road-test/
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