Review: HSV E2 GTS & Clubsport R8 - 317kW/425hp LS3 Fun!

[JoeT]

HSV Clubsport R8 E2 Series (Sedan & Tourer)

Stephen Ottley
16 October 2009
www.carpoint.com.au

Just because the GTS is king doesn't mean the Clubsport can't be a worthy prince

Put simply, the Clubsport R8 is the bread 'n' butter of the HSV range. Sitting underneath the GTS, the Clubsport sedan forms the basis for both the Tourer R8 and Maloo. By returning the GTS to its place at the top of the pile, the E2 Series changes mean the Clubsport is now well and truly the entry-level HSV option.

But that doesn't mean it is the GTS' inadequate little brother; far from it in fact. HSV has cleverly walked a fine line between elevating the GTS while still updating the Clubsport. That means the R8 gets the same 'Competition Mode' Electronic Stability Program (ESP) and launch control as the GTS, as well as the styling upgrades and some SV Enhanced options but without any additional power.

We detailed the full E2 range changes in our news story at the cars' unveiling . Simply, the nuts and bolts of the ClubSport show it to be one of the best bang-for-buck offerings on the road today. And it is important for HSV's security, because once the initial hype surrounding the new GTS wears off and the model cycle moves on, the Clubsport must carry the mantle as the brand's biggest seller.

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HSV E2 GTS: Review

Paul Gover and Neil McDonald
16 October 2009
www.carsguide.com.au

Paul Gover road tests and reviews the HSV GTS and finds that – love it or hate it – you can’t ignore it.

It has been a great month for Holden and its performance offshoot Holden Special Vehicles. Last weekend's Bathurst 1, 2, 3 result and the favourable response to its new E2 Series is setting the company up for a good year.

HSV sales are tipped to hit around 3000 for the year, just a few hundred shy of last year's result, which HSV chief Phil Harding reckons is pretty damn good in the current economic climate. Since Sunday too, having Bathurst winners Garth Tander and Will Davison on side as HSV ambassadors cannot hurt the brand's status. Both Tander and Davison were involved in developing the new E2 GTS, tweaking the car's ride and handling along with HSV engineers.

The company can rightly claim the GTS has proven race-bred performance, which is important to HSV's heartland.

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Review: HSV E2 GTS Unleashed!
Revealed! New HSV E2 Series!

HSV E2 GTS (Top) and Clubsport R8 Tourer (Above)

[bonecrrusher]

I like the updated front end, the rear end looks horrid!

Is there still that company importing HSV parts and selling them in the states?

[avro206]

front end is nasty

[rsbaker]

I love the Holdens and I hope we get them in the US someday as something more than a Cop car but I have to say this particular model is just ugly up front. There's just too much going on design-wise in the front end.

[shorod]

Love the wheel designs in both pictures. Is their any way I could import a set and put on my G8?

[dracleath]

Clubsport front end is decent, wagon rear is decent. Sedan rear and GTS front are abominations.

They really should have stuck a bit closer to the old pontiac gxp and HSV designs.

[genjy]

The Pontiac Aztek of front ends

[caddycruiser]

Originally Posted by bonecrrusher

I like the updated front end, the rear end looks horrid!

Is there still that company importing HSV parts and selling them in the states?

There's a couple of suppliers, yes, otherwise G8'ers like me wouldn't have a mixture of Omega & Calais interior pieces, etc. You can get anything from Holden/HSV fascias & hoods to interior pieces to, well, anything and everything they have Down Under, just like ordering it from here.

Several have already checked into/priced the new E2 nose bits, so I hope someone is able to make a G8 as above before too long.

[BBDOS CV8]

Thankfully the cars look much, much better in the flesh. Don't know why they look so awkward in the official snaps. HSV's order book is full until early next year. They've looked the same since 2006, so 2009 they needed to change as this is a trend-conscious market.

Tge GTS is too much bling for me - but they aren't just a slammed tuner. The engineering in them is pretty comprehensive

[mikmak]

I'm warming to the pics, but I suppose I'll just have to go and look at some in the flesh. (*sigh* if I have to.) ........

The GTS Rear probably looks the best with its eye wateringly tech-sharp looking wheels, but the LEDs need to be a little less prominent IMO. But then, I probably wouldn't buy one anyway.

[DUCK]

Strong looking cars with performance and dynamics to match. It's hard to beat that!

[demonv8]

The wheels don't compliment the GTS front end at all!

[FISH]

Originally Posted by BBDOS CV8

Thankfully the cars look much, much better in the flesh. Don't know why they look so awkward in the official snaps. HSV's order book is full until early next year. They've looked the same since 2006, so 2009 they needed to change as this is a trend-conscious market.

Tge GTS is too much bling for me - but they aren't just a slammed tuner. The engineering in them is pretty comprehensive

I got to check out the new HSV's at Zupps on sunday, and you are right. they look great in person. That rear is well thought out and does not look like may of those crappy lancer body kits you see around, as I though it did when I first seen the pics. At the front I would still ditch the new bonnet, but the rest of the front on the colours I seen looked fine.

Mikmak, your slipping mate.

[Baz]

Originally Posted by shorod

Love the wheel designs in both pictures. Is their any way I could import a set and put on my G8?

Not just yet, but it wont be long before they are selling them on wheel sites.Don't expect them to be cheap. ~$3500AU for the rims....

[Quixote88]

I have to stop reading these articles about Holden's wonderful performance machines... It's too depressing! At least we had a little taste with the G8 GXP...