HSV outs 2015 range upgrades

BUYERS of HSV's record-breaking 430kW/740Nm GTS Maloo ute will pay $6500 less than the sedan equivalent, after the iconic Australian brand confirmed its $87,990, plus on-roads price-tag ahead of customer deliveries in late November.

The pricing was revealed as HSV announced a series of upgrades to its 2015 Gen-F range that includes more power for R8, Clubsport and Maloo variants, paddle-shifters for automatic versions, sportier exhaust notes across the board and more personalisation options.

With the new increased specification, prices of all affected variants have seen a small increase with entry level manual ClubSport versions creeping up by $1000 to $61,990, plus on-road costs, while an automatic gearbox adds $2500 to the price tag on all variants.

Prices for the range-topping supercharged GTS monster sedan have not changed, remaining at $94,490 or $96,990 for the automatic.

A new exhaust system and mild engine re-map has given R8 variants the biggest power gains, with the output up to 340kW from 325kW, while torque gets a boost from 550Nm to 570Nm, Sedan and tourer R8 versions have had a price bump of $2000, while the Maloo ute hops up by $1700.

The same modification has increased the ClubSport and Maloo power output by 8kW to 325kW with torque unchanged at 550Nm, and prices of Maloo up by $1000 to $59,990.

The new bi-modal exhaust system is now standard across the range with the exception of the Grange variant, and uses an electrically operated valve system to alter the engine note from more subtle while cruising to “throatier” and louder when in sports mode.

All variants optioned with HSVs six-speed automatic gearbox now have steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters, to allow manual selection of gears without the driver having to take their hands from the wheel.

HSV says the Active Select system will allow drivers of its automatic vehicles “to extract maximum performance from the powertrain”.

Previously, adding an automatic gearbox to any 2014 model costs $2200 with the exception of the GTS which carried a $2500 premium, but all autos will be priced at $2500 for the 2015 range.

The fiesty 6.2-litre supercharged GTS now has 'dark stainless' 20-inch alloy wheels to match those on the recently announced Maloo ute variant, while R8 variants get 20-inch rims dressed in 'tornado grey'.

Styling flourishes continue for the 2015 range with a 'Hyperflow' performance rear spoiler available for ClubSport, ClubSport R8 and GTS variants, while all R8 versions can opt for a 'pitch black style' pack to add accents to fender vents, mirror caps and lo-line spoiler (and tailgate on the tourer).

HSV has added two new colours to the 2015 line-up with Jungle Green and Some Like It Hot red joining the range of eight other colours in the existing pallette.

Only the Grange has been excluded from any equipment or pricing changes remaining at $85,990.

HSV managing director Tim Jackson said he is proud of the enhanced 2015 range and expects it will continue to attract a loyal following for the brand.

“It’s fair to say that the market acceptance of the Gen-F range since its launch last year has exceeded all our expectations,” he said.

“We’re confident the enhancements we’re making to power, styling and vehicle personalisation will further embed HSV as the first choice for performance vehicle enthusiasts”.

All models will be available in unlimited numbers, except for the highly coveted GTS Maloo ute, with HSV's total allocation of 250 examples in danger of selling out before it had been officially announced.

HSV range pricing*

ClubSport	$61,990
ClubSport (a)	$64,490
Maloo	$59,990
Maloo (a)	$62,490
ClubSport R8	$73,290
ClubSport R8 (a)	$75,790
Maloo R8	$69,990
Maloo R8 (a)	$72,490
ClubSport R8 Tourer (a)	$76,490
Senator Signature	$83,990
Senator Signature (a)	$83,990
Grange (a)	$85,990
GTS	$94,490
GTS (a)	$96,990
GTS Maloo	$87,990
GTS Maloo (a)	$90,490

*Excludes on-road costs.