Confirmed: HSV Is Testing Diesel Drivetrains - Destination Europe?

[JoeT]

HSV Goes Diesel

Andrew Heasley
20 June 2008
www.drive.com.au

Holden Special Vehicles is testing diesel engines in its range of VE Commodore-based performance cars.

Holden Special Vehicles is trialling diesel engines in its cars as way of expanding the brand's appeal in Europe.

HSV chairman Tom Walkinshaw, who made a flying visit to Melbourne to announce the production and price of its VE Commodore-based 7.0L W427 supercar, says the company has two ``mules'' presently testing diesel engines from different suppliers.

One is believed to be a unit from VM Motori, which supplies GM with diesel engines in Europe.

"We have mules running at the moment with diesel ... in short wheelbase (Commodores),'' Walkinshaw says. ``For engineers it doesn't matter whether we put it in short or long (wheelbase cars).''

The interest in a diesel HSV is driven by its export potential to Europe, he says.

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HSV Eyes Euro Diesel

David Hassall
1 July 2008
www.goauto.com.au

Holden Special Vehicles (HSV) is working on a turbo-diesel-powered VE Commodore-based model with a view to expanding its export business in Europe.

HSV chairman Tom Walkinshaw told Australian journalists in Melbourne that Europe is “the biggest opportunity that we would have”, but that it was essential to provide a diesel offering to expand exports there.

General Motors has an arrangement with the Fiat-aligned Italian company VM Motori for diesel engines, which is expected to extend to Holden in Australia within the next two years, but Mr Walkinshaw said they were also evaluating a second option in one of the two test mules the company has running.

Mr Walkinshaw has plans to broaden export markets in Europe for both HSV and his Elfin Sports Car company.

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HSV Evaluating Greener Drivetrain Technology
Diesel Commodore To Arrive In The Next 12 Months
Confirmed: Hybrid Holden Commodore By 2010!

[DmitryKo]

Originally Posted by JoeT

Holden Special Vehicles is trialling diesel engines in its cars as way of expanding the brand's appeal in Europe.

Since when Holden Special Vehicles operates in Europe as a distinct brand? The HSV Clubsport is rebadged as the Vauxhall VXR8 and is only available in the UK.

One is believed to be a unit from VM Motori, which supplies GM with diesel engines in Europe.

Not entirely accurate. Back in march 2007, there was an announcement for a Cadillac CTS with a 2.9 L V6 diesel that was to be build by VM Motori, but this engine has not shipped yet.
2.0 L I4 diesel for use in the European Chevrolets was licensed from VM Motori but is built by GM Daewoo.

[Baz]

I believe they are infact testing the 2.9l V6 turbo diesel and I'd expect a rebadge of an Opel would be the marketing brand of the car.

[mikmak]

I would have thought Holden to be testing the VM Motori unit...unless of course additional boost is something to write home about.

[nota]

Originally Posted by DmitryKo

Since when Holden Special Vehicles operates in Europe as a distinct brand? The HSV Clubsport is rebadged as the Vauxhall VXR8 and is only available in the UK.

Both Vauxhall VXR8 (re-branded HSV product) and Pontiac G8 (re-branded Holden product) demonstrate that their source-Brand's offerings appeal to overseas buyers - no matter what badge semantics they carry abroad - and thus the literally-correct claim that a diesel HSV rebadge might further enhance the appeal in Europe of the source-Brand's product

[JoeT]

HSV Eyes Euro Diesel

David Hassall
1 July 2008
www.goauto.com.au

Holden Special Vehicles (HSV) is working on a turbo-diesel-powered VE Commodore-based model with a view to expanding its export business in Europe.

HSV chairman Tom Walkinshaw told Australian journalists in Melbourne that Europe is “the biggest opportunity that we would have”, but that it was essential to provide a diesel offering to expand exports there.

General Motors has an arrangement with the Fiat-aligned Italian company VM Motori for diesel engines, which is expected to extend to Holden in Australia within the next two years, but Mr Walkinshaw said they were also evaluating a second option in one of the two test mules the company has running.

Mr Walkinshaw has plans to broaden export markets in Europe for both HSV and his Elfin Sports Car company.

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[VE GTS]

I assume that they are referring to the 2.9L 184kw/550nm unit that was expected to be released in the Commodore albeit with HSV tuning...

I will wait for a production model with production specifications and pricing before I pass final judgment but the idea of expansion into a new market is probably a good sign of things too come from HSV as oppose to the grossly overpriced W427...

[redTT]

Originally Posted by VE GTS

I assume that they are referring to the 2.9L 184kw/550nm unit that was expected to be released in the Commodore albeit with HSV tuning...

I will wait for a production model with production specifications and pricing before I pass final judgment but the idea of expansion into a new market is probably a good sign of things too come from HSV as oppose to the grossly overpriced W427...

Imagine that engine in a 700kg elfin.

[mmciau]

Originally Posted by redTT

Imagine that engine in a 700kg elfin.

Yeah, the weight distribution would be likely 80F:20R!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Mike