HSV expected to supercharge Gen-F GTS

AUSTRALIA is set to become the maker of one of the world’s most powerful sedans as HSV prepares to unleash its Gen-F range of muscle-cars.

The Holden tuner is expected to announce a limited-run GTS flagship powered by a circa 430kW supercharged 6.2-litre V8, giving it the means to out-punch far more expensive luxury Euros such as the BMW M5.

GoAuto first got wind that HSV would take the supercharging route last October when we spotted an engineering mule in Victoria emitting the distinctive whine of a supercharger under acceleration.

At the time, we reported a natural fit would be the force-fed 6.2 ‘LSA’ V8 used in the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 and Cadillac CTS-V, where it respectively produces 432kW/754Nm or 415kW/747Nm.

HSV is expected to opt for the higher end of the LSA’s output. The other important set of numbers is cost, with the limited-run GTS flagship set to cost around $100,000 when it hits showrooms in the third quarter of this year.

All will come to light on May 15 – around one month before the cars go on sale. HSV is keeping quiet on full details until then, but has acknowledged that some media speculation hits the mark.

The projected price is a cool $15,000 more than the 25th Anniversary edition launched at the Sydney motor show last October – but for that customers are expected to get a road-legal sedan almost as powerful as a V8 Supercar.

And it looks downright affordable compared with HSV’s previous power record, the $155,500 W427 limited edition of 2008 that packed a 375kW/640Nm 7.0-litre engine. Just 138 out of a proposed 427 examples of this car were built.

GoAuto understands some of the features of the GTS 25th Anniversary edition previewed the Gen-F, such as the 20-inch forged alloy wheels that saved 22kg over the standard rims and six-piston brake callipers providing a 50 per cent larger friction area.

Rather than using the lower output LSA, other HSV models are set to carry over the naturally aspirated 6.2-litre LS3 Gen 4V8 in 317kW and 325kW guises (both produce 550Nm of torque).

The 325kW versions are expected to have the option of upping to 340kW and 570Nm – providing a slight margin over arch-rival FPV’s 335kW/570Nm of 5.0-litre supercharged V8 – through a performance pack upgrade.

Acceleration from 0-100km/h in the low four seconds is expected, as achieved by the related Chevy Camaro ZL1, beating the W427 and FPV GT RSPEC (both 4.7s).

A teaser image of the Gen-F issued overnight revealed what looks like a silver trim piece running below the headlights and around what appears to be an even larger version of the current trapezoidal grille design – which would provide the necessary extra intake and cooling air for a supercharged engine.