Where's HSV's GXP LS3?

[jkennedy293]

I would have liked a bit more seperation in looks and interior between the G8 GT and the GXP, but I'm just so glad GM is building both that I just don't care.

[aball]

Originally Posted by jkennedy293

I would have liked a bit more seperation in looks and interior between the G8 GT and the GXP, but I'm just so glad GM is building both that I just don't care.

It seems to be in line with what Pontiac have done with the G6 and Solstice GXP. Their differentiations from the base models aren't over the top either. I suppose it all depends on whether you want to advertise the fact that you're driving something a bit special. For me, all go and no show thanks.

[aball]

Originally Posted by FunkyPig

GXP wheels are 19", HSV GTS wheels are 20". Some basic info that the writer could have found out perhaps?

They're off the ClubSport. The writer was wrong obviously, but pretty close

[Rick_VT]

Maybe they thought the HSV body kit was to much for american tastes lol, but you would think a few things would have been done subtely to the car to make it diff to the other G8 versions, does Pontiac or GM have something like Holden by Design where they can dress the car up, they might try that to help add a bit more profit to the dealers, would have been nice to maybe give the GXP its own colours

[CaptainDan]

Originally Posted by mikmak

+1
Performance over pomp.

+2
I love a sleeper. Speak softly, but carry a big stick.

I certainly don't want a car to look ugly, but let's leave the wings and flares and decals for the cars that are just pretending to be hot.

[HotCarNut]

Originally Posted by Rick_VT

Maybe they thought the HSV body kit was to much for american tastes lol, but you would think a few things would have been done subtely to the car to make it diff to the other G8 versions, does Pontiac or GM have something like Holden by Design where they can dress the car up, they might try that to help add a bit more profit to the dealers, would have been nice to maybe give the GXP its own colours

That's still a good possibility, especially with the color differentiation. I'm sure that there will be aftermarket wheels available as well from GM. What I care about most is performance, so I'm really hoping that this rides on the FE3 suspension whereas the GT rides on the FE2. I also hope that the brakes have been upgraded as well. It's great to go fast, but stopping fast is important too!

[jzEllis]

Originally Posted by FunkyPig

GXP wheels are 19", HSV GTS wheels are 20". Some basic info that the writer could have found out perhaps?

Originally Posted by tholland

The HSV GTS wheels with the spokes that come to a point at the hub would have been the perfect wheel for a Pontiac... it essentially looks like 5 Pontiac arrowheads. I'm hoping they will at least be available as an option on the GXP.

the wheels are actually the new 09 CTS-V wheels. i am a little irritated by the fact that they didn't just use the 20" wheels from the HSV car. then again, they don't look bad either, and they appear to have some decent width at the rear.

also, i may be in the minority here, but with the exception of the absence of the HSV taillights and wing, i love the looks of the GXP. like the GT, but different. i honestly can't pick a favorite between the front of this car and the GT.

like too pretty sisters, that are obviously related but have different attributes in their beauty.

[jzEllis]

Originally Posted by HotCarNut

That's still a good possibility, especially with the color differentiation. I'm sure that there will be aftermarket wheels available as well from GM. What I care about most is performance, so I'm really hoping that this rides on the FE3 suspension whereas the GT rides on the FE2. I also hope that the brakes have been upgraded as well. It's great to go fast, but stopping fast is important too!

all g8s including the v6 ride on the FE3 suspension.

disregard, i was mistaken.

[crooner214]

Originally Posted by jzEllis

the wheels are actually the new 09 CTS-V wheels. i am a little irritated by the fact that they didn't just use the 20" wheels from the HSV car. then again, they don't look bad either, and they appear to have some decent width at the rear.

also, i may be in the minority here, but with the exception of the absence of the HSV taillights and wing, i love the looks of the GXP. like the GT, but different. i honestly can't pick a favorite between the front of this car and the GT.

like too pretty sisters, that are obviously related but have different attributes in their beauty.

I personally think the base car's nose is understyled, it should be the GXP nose. The GXP could probably use something like the HSV nose.

Hmmm, I'm craving alphabet soup...

[Tony's BlkGTP]

Originally Posted by HotCarNut

Call me crazy, but I LOVE the fact that this car looks like the base car. I want some fool in a Mustang to pull up next to me at a stoplight thinking that I'm driving either the pedestrian V6 or the GT. That makes it all the sweeter when you blow his doors off and leave him sucking exhaust wondering all the while what happened. Plus, cops won't be gunning for this thing like the do the Evos, STIs, and other obviously modified sport sedans. I'll take mine in black please!!!

Wow, I could not have said that any better!! Thank you. I really love the fact that it will not draw a huge amount of attention to the fact that it will be an awesome performing car.

[NZ_HOLDEN_FAN]

IS THE GXP GETTING MAGNETIC RIDE CONTROLE IF NOT WHAT A LOAD A **** GM U SUCK THATS WHY PEOPLE DON'T LIKE TO BUY GM CARS U GET A CAR FROM AUSSY WHAT IS THE BEST 4 DOOR SALOON THERE EVER AND THEY STUFF IT UP BY NOT USING THE HSV GTS WHY CAN'T U USE THE BEST. ITS LIKE A SSV WITH A LS3 I WANT A REAL CAR HSV GTS WITH EVERYTHING ON IT 20 RIMS,LED LIGHTS,SIDE VENTS,AND MORE I WOULD HOPE U GET A BIIGER EXHAUST FROM THE GXP ITS TO LITTLE FOR A GXP U SHOULD GET THE WALKINSHAW EXHAUST IT SOUNDS NICE AND U SHOULD GET HSV TO DO ALL YOUR GXP CARS BECAUSE THEY R UGLY WHAT 1 LOOKS BETTER

[NZ_HOLDEN_FAN]

Do U Guys No If Hsv R Getting The Ls3. Then We Would Have A Car Real Car To Send To England.they Need T0 Upgrade The R8,vxr8 To A Gts Ls3 Bigger Engine Better Handling Because Of Magnetic Ride Controle Bigger Rims And Would Look Cool With Pontiac Hood Scoops T0 Make It Look Stronger And They Should Also Lower It By About 20 Mm So It Will Look Beeter Than The Standed Vxr8 They First Got That Would Look Insane And Also Add Supercharger To Ls3 Wicked,respect,i Like. And Send A Upgraded Gts Ls3 Supercharged Gts To The Middle East Wicked

[teamkiwiracing]

Originally Posted by NZ_HOLDEN_FAN

IS THE GXP GETTING MAGNETIC RIDE CONTROLE IF NOT WHAT A LOAD A **** GM U SUCK THATS WHY PEOPLE DON'T LIKE TO BUY GM CARS U GET A CAR FROM AUSSY WHAT IS THE BEST 4 DOOR SALOON THERE EVER AND THEY STUFF IT UP BY NOT USING THE HSV GTS WHY CAN'T U USE THE BEST. ITS LIKE A SSV WITH A LS3 I WANT A REAL CAR HSV GTS WITH EVERYTHING ON IT 20 RIMS,LED LIGHTS,SIDE VENTS,AND MORE I WOULD HOPE U GET A BIIGER EXHAUST FROM THE GXP ITS TO LITTLE FOR A GXP U SHOULD GET THE WALKINSHAW EXHAUST IT SOUNDS NICE AND U SHOULD GET HSV TO DO ALL YOUR GXP CARS BECAUSE THEY R UGLY WHAT 1 LOOKS BETTER

I think that you will find that i all comes down to $$$$$$. They probably could send the GTS over with a nore of a GPX look, though i think the main concerning factor is what they will charge US buyers or what they are willing to pay, my guess is not a lot over US$35K. The cost of providing all the GTS features on the GXP for neraly half the price of the GTS would be uneconomical.

By the way, go easy on the Caps Locks mate and Sentence Cases, makes it quite difficult to read what your saying. Cheers

[asylum]

Originally Posted by HotCarNut

I'm really hoping that this rides on the FE3 suspension whereas the GT rides on the FE2. I also hope that the brakes have been upgraded as well. It's great to go fast, but stopping fast is important too!

yes the GXP has FE3 (HSV Clubsport) suspension. i bet MRC was investigated, but would no doubt add an extra few grand onto the price list and being the cheapest/most powerful in its class seems to be pontiacs goal at the moment.

The brakes have also been upgraded to very large Brembo's

[Generation IV]

The latest issue of WHEELS (received it today), has announced that HSV has confirmed that they will be using the LS3 throughout the model range. This is because of FPV's supposed power hike in its V8s and of course the fact that the LS2 went out of production mid-last year and HSV was just using the rest of its stockpile. Power and torque is unexpected, seriously unexpected actually.

Power is 340kW, torque is 595Nm.

Actually that was a lie, sorry guys, had to poke a stick at you guys. The 6.2L LS3 in the Corvette makes 321kW and 575Nm but in the HSV's it will produce only 317kW and an unchanged 550Nm. This is because the transmissions (auto and manual), diff and driveshafts carry over unaltered and 550Nm is as close to the tolerance threshold that they are willing to go for those components. So they had to reign in torque which in turn reigned in power. But these figures still eclipse the rumoured 315kW and 540Nm of the FPV V8s coming later on this year. There is a couple of advantages of the LS3 though. The slight power increase is a welcome addition of course.

- The LS3, after some HSV tuning, uses the same, possibly less fuel than the LS2.
- The LS3 delivers its power on a much flatter curve, which is excellent as the LS2 already had an excellent power curve.

HSV did say that power and torque would rise if they decide to toughen up the componentry at a later date and let the LS3 loose, but for now its a respectable figure. I reckon along with HSV specific tuning, the LS3 could easily manage 330kW and 585Nm. Anyways, this engine swap will NOT cause the range to be called Series II as the engine swap is considered a running model change. The only clue however on the exterior is a new 317 badge in place of a 307 one and an apparently meaner sounding exhaust and engine note.

A question that I still want to know is if HSV has given its LS3 the same tubular extractors it gave the LS2. Allows better engine performance and fuel consumption. Maybe that will be added when the models get a complete refresh late this year - early 2009 along with the power boost.