HSV Commodore Range gets Minor Updates and 20th Anniversary Maloo R8 Ute

Holden Special Vehicles has taken the wraps off an updated version of its Commodore derived performance range along with a special edition of the Malooo R8 ute. HSV is the performance arm of Australian automaker Holden, known in the States through the now defunct Pontiac G8 and the Chevy Caprice police car that was revealed earlier this year.

Dubbed the E3 series, this minor facelift introduces two new options and a redesigned dashboard / instrument cluster to the HSV range which includes the , Maloo R8 ute, ClubSport R8 sedan, ClubSport R8 Tourer (SW), GTS, Senator Signature, and Grange.

An in-dash touch screen can be used to display real-time performance data, satellite navigation and radio controls, while rear park assist with reversing camera and iPod connectivity will also come standard.

Liquid Propane Injection (LPI) can be optioned for the first time on all models except for the Clubsport R8 Tourer, while Side Blind Zone Alert is optionally available across the range.

HSV's Managing Director, Phil Harding states:"Our E3 range is an example of HSV's passion for innovation, and determination to bring world leading technology to [its] vehicles."

In addition, HSV introduced a new limited edition "20 Years of Maloo" performance ute to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Maloo nameplate. Holden has raided its parts bin to give the Maloo hood scoops, 20-inch wheels from the GTS and a bi-modal exhaust system. Prices for the 20 Years of Maloo R8 will begin at AU$67,900 (about US$63,300) for the manual, with production limited to 100 units.

The HSV E3 series will go on sale in September, with the "20 Years of Maloo" performance ute following in October.

By Tristan Hankins

Insignia VXR to Make UK Debut at Goodwood Festival of Speed

The high-performance version of the Opel /Vauxhall Insignia will make its first appearance in Britain at this year's Goodwood Festival of Speed that runs from July 3-5. The 325HP Insignia VXR (OPC for the rest of Europe) will run the famous hillclimb course twice a day. Joining the Insignia will be the most powerful production model in Vauxhall's history, the rear-wheel-drive, 6.2-litre supercharged V8 engined VXR8 Bathurst S Edition 560HP that will be performing a 'Smoke Gets in Your Eyes' display in front of the Goodwood House.

GM's British arm will also showcase two concept studies from the past, the gullwing-door XVR that was displayed at the 1966 Geneva Salon and the SRV that made its debut at the 1970 Earls Court Motor Show.

Pontiac G8 to be Reborn as the Chevrolet Caprice in the USA, According to Lutz

No sooner that we learned that Bob Lutz reversed his decision to retire from GM at the end of the year, deciding to extend his career as the firm's vice chairman in charge of all "creative elements of products and customer relationships", and the 77-year old is offering American car nuts a reason to celebrate. In an interview with Automobile Magazine, Lutz revealed that the Pontiac G8 isn't dead after all.

Despite the fact that only a month ago, in a live chat with online readers, GM CEO Fritz Henderson supported that the rear-wheel drive Pontiac sports sedan won't live in another brand, Lutz told the magazine that the G8 will be reborn in the USA as the Chevrolet Caprice.

"The last time we looked at the G8, we decided that we would continue to import it as a Chevrolet," Lutz said. "It is kind of too good to waste." Can't disagree with Lutz on that one....

He also added that other key factors in this decision were the export agreements with Australia and the fact that the Holden Commodore is already sold in many countries as a Chevrolet.

What Lutz didn't say is in what form the G8 will survive in the USA - as a Holden Commodore / Pontiac G8 with a Chevy grille or will GM prefer to import the longer-wheelbase Holden Statesman / Caprice? That's probably a good point to start the conversation in the comment section below.

In addition to the G8, Lutz told the magazine that the Cadillac CTS-V Coupe could be closer to production than we think, noting that that members of the government taskforce were quite interested in the BMW M3-challenging sports coupe during the presentation of the firm's product plan.

"When we went through design and looked at the future product, the procession stopped at the model of the Cadillac CTS-V Coupe," Lutz said. "I think that some of these guys are personally going to buy CTS-V Coupes."

Source: Automobile , Via: Autoblog.com

Holden’s E3 GTS Transforms into the 2012 Vauxhall VXR8 in Britain

Based on Holden’s most recent E3 series GTS model, the 2012 Vauxhall VXR8 will hit UK dealers next March, featuring several improvements over the previous model, which was built on the lower-spec ClubSport R8. Priced at £49,500 (VAT included), the new model is still considered a bargain in the country, considering that there’s a 6.2-liter V8 powerhouse under the bonnet.

The VXR8 undercuts the competition, such as the Mercedes E63 AMG, by between £13k and £29k, and even performance saloons from the class below, like the BMW M3 and Mercedes C63 AMG, but truth be said, it was always a little rough around the edges. Some consider that a perk, others a drawback. Nevertheless, the VXR8 was mildly revised for the 2012 model year, featuring a redesigned grille, LED daytime running lights and tail lamps, new wing vents and rear spoiler.

Inside, there’s an updated instrument cluster and full leather trim is standard. Other amenities include HSV Performance Seats and an Enhanced Driver Interface (EDI), which is a fancy name for a smarter onboard computer. EDI can record such data as G-forces, engine parameters and lap times, which can be later analyzed by owners using special software provided with the car.

In order to deliver performance that’s worth recording, the VXR8 comes with a fourth generation GM-sourced LS3 engine, delivering 431 ponies and 550 Nm (407 lb-ft) of torque. Power is sent to the rear wheels, either through a six-speed manual gearbox or an automatic transmission. A limited slip differential comes as standard.

The 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) sprint takes just 4.9 seconds, while top speed is electronically limited to 155 mph (250 km/h).

To improve handling, engineers fitted the VXR8 for the first time with electronically controlled dampers. The system is called Magnetic Ride Control and it’s based on technology borrowed from the Corvette ZR1.

The VXR8 can be ordered in the UK through six dealers at the moment, but it will be available in a total of 34 locations later on.