First look: HSV’s limited-edition SV6000

HSV has joined Holden in ditching pie-in-the-sky concepts for real-deal production vehicles at today’s Melbourne motor show opening, by presenting the limited-edition SV6000.

No, SV6000 is not HSV’s first V6 model since the Holden performance brand orphaned its XU-6 in 2002, but a 6.0-litre LS2 V8-powered, Z Series ClubSport R8-based sedan that introduces significant new technology for HSV.

To be produced in a limited run of just 50 vehicles from mid-year – extending to 100 if demand proves strong enough – SV6000 will cost around $80,000.

For the money, HSV says SV6000 will appeal to its enthusiast customer base by offering a combination of top-tier performance, unique luxury appointments and new driver-focussed features – the latter led by HSV Driver Dynamic Interface.

The result of a link forged between HSV’s engineering department and the think-tank Technology Management Group located within General Motors’ Detroit R&D centre, the HSV DDI system combines the attributes of a modern Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) with the convenience of satellite-navigation, and opens a direct line of communication between driver and car.

HSV claims it’s the first to market the technology, which it says will benefit “the many HSV owners who are busy, successful people and tend to spend long hours behind the wheel”.

Essentially, when functioning as a PDA the portable, pocket-sized DDI console offers a Microsoft operating system with features like Bluetooth download capabilities, address book and appointment notification. When plugged into the car’s GPS system, DDI offers all the usual sat-nav features like street directions and points of interest.

Voice navigation and the choice of various 2D and 3D maps and screen settings are available, but the screen is automatically deactivates when the vehicle is moving.

Attaching the DDI unit to its vehicle gateway module and console also allows it to monitor and record up to four vehicle operating parameters at one time via a data bus incorporated into the vehicle’s electronic architecture.

For example, the ‘Data stream’ mode can monitor coolant and oil temperatures when towing or assess changes in throttle position and vehicle performance. DDI software updates will be available to customers via a website download facility at www.hsv.com.au.

The HSV DDI unit will be standard in SV6000 and should become available in other HSV models later this year.

SV6000 is also the first HSV sedan to wear the Devil Yellow paint colour formerly reserved for Coupe models. The first 30 SV6000s to be built will be Devil Yellow, with the remainder to be Phantom Black.

Other SV6000 features include unique open-mesh fender vents, 19-inch alloy wheels, Devil Yellow brake callipers, the removal of the body styling accents, a wide colour-coded lower door stripe, yellow interior stitching and SV badging inside and out.

HSV says standard equipment including Z Series options like AP High Performance brakes, a tyre pressure monitoring system and Xenon driving lights will make SV6000 unbeatable value.