AIMS: Limited-run HSV GTS ready to roll

HOLDEN Special Vehicles (HSV) has announced a special limited edition GTS sedan as part of its ongoing 25th anniversary celebrations.

The limited-run model – to both debut and go on sale at the Australian International Motor Show on October 18 – gets new lightweight wheels, menacing cosmetic tweaks and enhanced brakes.

But what it won’t receive is an engine upgrade, with the 25th Anniversary edition using the same 325kW/550Nm 6.2-litre V8 engine as the regular GTS, leaving it 10kW and 20Nm shy of its supercharged Ford Performance Vehicles (FPV) Falcon GT arch-rival.

Only 125 individually numbered examples of the special edition GTS will be sold, each from $84,990 plus on-road costs. This is $2000 more than the regular GTS, but HSV claims the additions add up to more than $7500 of extra value.

The lightweight 20-inch forged alloy wheels – finished in ‘satin graphite’ - are an impressive 22kg lighter than the normal GTS rims, taking a chunk out of unsprung weight, while the graphite theme runs through to the special hood scoops and side vents.

New six-piston brakes have also been fitted, with a 50 per cent larger pad area that improves stopping power.

The special version also gets HSV’s Side Blind Zone Alert blind spot monitoring system – standard on the flagship Grange limo and an option on the rest of the range - which alerts the driver to adjacent vehicles.

Further additions include special badging and seat embroidery, new sill plates and a different ‘start-up’ display screen on the instrument panel.

HSV general manager of sales Darren Bowler said the silver anniversary was an important milestone for the factory tuning shop, and that the new special edition model embodied all the company stands for.

“Twenty-five years is an important milestone in the HSV journey,” he said. “We believe this 25thanniversary GTS truly embodies all that HSV stands for – race-bred performance, design and technology at a price that represents outstanding value.”This new limited edition comes hot on the heels of the HSV range realignment in August, which saw the reintroduction of the ClubSport and Maloo nameplates to the line-up.