HSV's wild W427 a sell-out

AUSTRALIA'S most overt locally-produced supercar since the Falcon GTHO – the Holden Special Vehicles W427 – finally went into production yesterday and this year's production allocation of 90 cars has already sold out.

However, even if there is still a waiting list after the limit of 427 cars is reached some time in 2010, a successor to the 7.0-litre monster may not be built – despite the engine's availability for at least the next five years.

HSV managing director Scott Grant stopped well short of saying “never” to another LS7-engined model, but told GoAuto that he wants to protect the exclusivity and value of the W427, for which customers are paying a Holden/HSV record price of $155,500 (including the increased luxury car tax).



“Four hundred and twenty-seven is a lot of cars for us and that (the demand for more) is a problem we'd like to have,” he said, “but we don't see that in the future at the moment.



“This car really fitted in with the 20th anniversary of HSV we wanted to do a hero car program and we need to be true to that.



Left: HSV managing director Scott Grant.

“Of course, we're in the car business and we have to keep creating new cars, and our customers want us to invest in new product so we look at opportunities, but we have no plans (for the LS7 engine) beyond this package.”Mr Grant confirmed that HSV is looking at numerous powertrain options that GM could provide in the future, including hybrids, turbos and diesels, but ruled out being able to afford developing its own engines.

The first 90 W427s were allocated on the basis of one for each of the 57 HSV dealers – provided there is a paid-up customer for each – with the balance going to the bigger outlets. Only three have been bought by dealers, each of whom has undertaken not to on-sell them for profit.

HSV has not yet analysed who is buying the cars but says feedback from dealers suggests there are a number of BMW and Audi owners in the mix, with few are offering trade-ins, which suggests the W427s are being snapped up by collectors/speculators or for track work.

Interestingly, white is the most popular of the five colours offered, the others being red, black, silver and charcoal.

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MEANWHILE, as reported in May, HSV has confirmed that it will begin production of its version of Holden's recently released Sportwagon in September.

The Tourer will be HSV's first wagon variant in almost five years and the high-performance operation hopes that the sportiness of the donor vehicle will translate into a more successful HSV product.

HSV's most recent flirtations with the wagon market were the Commodore-based VT Senator Estate in 1999 and the all-wheel drive Adventra-based Avalanche that left the market in January 2004 – neither of which made an impact in the showroom.

However, HSV managing director Scott Grant said that wagons “are way different now” and that the sleek new short-wheelbase model will be a low-risk toe in the water because the investment has been minimal.



“I openly admit we've had a chequered past in wagons,” said Mr Grant, “but we think there are customers who want the versatility of a station wagon and we believe there's a market for it.



“We've set a target of 100 sales a year, but we're really not sure – we'll just see if the HSV buyer goes for this type of product.”Mr Grant said that the Tourer will be the same specification as the ClubSport R8 and that the front half of the car is identical to the sedan, while the back end will look no different to the standard Sportwagon.

The HSV Tourer will be priced from $65,990, a premium of $1000 over the sedan.

Read more:

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HSV to price W427 above $150K