HSV Gen-F2 range gains supercharged performance

Hot on the heels of the new Holden VFII Commodore launch, Holden Special Vehicles (HSV) has presented the new GEN-F2 range of high performance models based on the VFII.

The HSV GEN-F2 range sees the fitment of the company’s 6.2-litre Supercharged LSA Generation IV Alloy V8 engine to the ClubSport R8 LSA, ClubSport R8 Tourer LSA, Maloo R8 LSA and Senator Signature models.

The new LSA engine features a raft of key componentry including:

• Eaton 4 lobe rotors, 9psi boost, 1.9 litres of air per revolution
• Stand-alone water-to-air, charge-air cooling system
• Stand-alone transmission and differential cooling systems
• Water-to-oil engine-oil cooling system
• Hi-flow exhaust system with cross-pipe intermediate and Bi-Modal mufflers
• Hi-flow exhaust manifold and catalytic converters
• Unique rear suspension module with 9.9“ differential with upgraded drive and prop shafts
• TR6060 (MG9 spec.) 6-speed manual transmission with oil cooler and twin plate clutch
• Optional 6L90E 6-speed heavy duty automatic transmission with oil cooler

Power and torque are confirmed at 400kW & 671Nm, up, significantly, from the previous LS3 engine outputs of 340kW and 570Nm.

The addition of the new LSA engine also brings with it modifications to the suspension system. Spring and damper rates have been stiffened to reduce body-roll and further improve corner-entry response while the rear suspension module is said to deliver improved rear stiffness and rear braking efficiency. Rear rotor diameters have increased to 372mm.

HSV has also tweaked engine mapping and re-calibrated the Electronic Stability Control to optimise the boosted power output.

In addition to powertrain enhancements, the HSV range also gains styling updates. The front-end features a redesigned fascia, incorporating a subtle splitter, on the ClubSport R8 LSA, Maloo R8 LSA, Senator Signature and GTS models, while the addition of “Pitch Black” bonnet vents help deliver an even more aggressive edge.

At the side, the “Pitch Black” styling theme is carried through to the mirror scalps and fender vents of the Maloo R8 LSA and the ClubSport models with these vehicles also featuring new 5-spoke 20” alloys.

GTS picks up new 10-spoke forged alloys finished in “Hyper-Dark Stainless”. The profile make-over is complete with the addition of new contoured side-skirts.

At the rear, ClubSport R8 LSA is fitted with a Lo-line spoiler finished in Satin Graphite and shares with the Senator Signature and GTS a redesigned rear fascia diffuser, while the ClubSport R8 Tourer LSA also benefits from the addition of a Pitch Black Rear Applique’ and new LED Tail Lamps.

The availability of two new colours – “Slipstream”, a vibrant ocean blue, and “Empire”, a metallic copper-bronze, round off the design upgrades.

While nothing is confirmed, HSV is rumored to be working on a high performance flagship to give the Australian-built Commodore a final send-off before production ceases in 2017. The model will sit above the HSV GTS, the current top dog, and adopt the GTS-R moniker. Propulsion is speculated to come from a supercharged 6.2-litre V8 pumping out 475kW and 818Nm.