HSV GTS auto 2014 review
We had a run on a Walkinshaw Performance wild supercharged Commodore V8 a few years ago and it was a head-turning experience as well as chassis flex.
The over-engineered 6.2-liter engine was too much for the car. Funny but… However, this formula must have come to HSV, which has spent the last few years developing its own supercharged Commodore HSV, which is now available as the latest version of the GTS. The ideas of the Walky car have carried over into the HSV, except that the latest hyper-performance V8 is a far superior car that now rivals the Germans in some ways.
Price
The GTS costs a sobering $92,990 for a six-speed manual with a dual-clutch system, while a six-speed automatic adds $2500. Compare that to the GTS' most direct competitor in terms of configuration, size, power and performance - Mercedes-Benz E63AMG Sand you save $150,000. Good price, right?
Performance
The car was created with assistance from V8 Supercar driver Garth Thunder and is by far the most powerful stock car ever made in Australia, as well as one of the quickest and fastest.
Despite weighing close to two tons, the GTS can hit 0 km/h in an astonishing 100 seconds, perhaps better, and has impressive acceleration from its supercharged 4.0-litre V6.2 engine that delivers power. about 8 kW. /430 Nm of power. It's not the king of torque, but with those numbers, who cares...any car with 740kW will kick its ass.
Overloaded
The extra push from the OHV 6.2 LSA engine is provided by an Eaton four-bladed supercharger pumping a fairly conservative 9 psi into the intake manifold after the first injection through the intercooler. The HSV adds a host of other quick parts such as a bimodal intake and bimodal exhaust, as well as a heavy duty rear shaft and heavy duty manual and automatic transmissions. Virtually every dynamic component in the GTS has been upgraded to meet the demands of ultra-high performance.
Chassis
It features six-piston AP brakes on huge discs, magnetically controlled suspension with Touring, Sport and Track modes, a driver preference dial that recalibrates stability control, launch control, torque vectoring, steering, suspension and exhaust system to suit tastes.
Design/Style/Features
From the outside, you can't help but notice the GTS with its aggressive face, LED daytime running lights, quad exhaust pipes, aerodynamic body kit and 20-inch alloy wheels wrapped in Continental low-profile tires and yellow-painted brake calipers.
Interior up to luxury car standards with stitched suede and carbon-look dashboard, complete with integrated instrument cluster, multiple dials, large MyLink infotainment screen, eight-way power front sport seats, head-up display, leather upholstery. Bose audio system, sat-nav, dual-zone climate control, push-button start and remote key function, plus a range of driver assistance features that come from new VF Commodore.
The only thing it lacks is a steering column switch. But there is so much grunt available instantly that it almost doesn't matter.
Driving
The big question here is what is it like to drive? Everything you can imagine - and more - is the easiest way to describe the time we had on the GTS steering wheel. Jumping right off the Benz E63AMG, it's amazing how similar the two cars are. The Benz is more refined, with more options, but both have that explosive acceleration and edgy dynamics that feel amazing from the driver's seat. The dual-mode exhaust on the GTS only makes a decent purr at idle, then it closes the flips down to about half a decibel, and there's no overdrive.
It has precise steering and the suspension adjusts to suit different driving styles and operating conditions. Inside the car is luxurious and attractive, the only thing missing is the really electronic things that the Germans have, such as a Wi-Fi hotspot and other unnecessary things. He loves to drink, but that's just a small part of what is the greatest car ever made in this country - the safest, best performing, great looks, amazing handling, and you can even travel in luxury.
Verdict
Yes please.
