The Tourer, like all of HSV’s V8 range, clearly thumbs its nose at the greener folk amongst us, yet despite the enormous engine and two tonne kerb weight, we managed to achieve 14.6 l/100km on our test route, and it was no economy run.
Use a deft touch and make full use of that tall overdrive sixth gear and we suspect that 10.0 l/100km or less would be achievable on the open road.
Around town is a different story of course, and you’ll watch the fuel consumption rise past the 15.0 l/100km mark, but you don’t buy a V8 if you are going to have sleepless nights over fuel consumption - right?
Of course, for those who like their HSVs but want to reduce their carbon footprint, and pain at the pump, then it should only be a short wait until HSV introduces the option of LPi (Liquid Propane Injection) to the V8 range, either later this year or early in 2010. You’ll then be able have your V8 cake and eat it too.
Rear-vision aside, the R8 Tourer really does feel and smell like the Clubsport sedan, only we think it’s an even better drive.
The Verdict
“It’s a real peach…” was how HSV’s PR man, Simon Frost, described the R8 Tourer after we rather reluctantly returned it to HSV.
Having had a week at the wheel, we agree. The R8 Tourer is one of those rare cars that satisfies on all counts. There is an intangible feeling of completeness about the way it looks, feels and drives.
That HSV, and Holden, has produced so much car with such performance, and at a fraction of the cost of highly-fancied Euro performance wagons, is a real achievement.
As much as we like the R8 Sedan, the Tourer costs a mere $1,000 more, looks better, is infinitely more practical and provides a subtle but noticeably improved driving experience.
We believe it’s one of the best overall packages ever produced by the folks in Clayton - a real ‘peach’.
Likes
- Seemingly endless torque from the LS3
- Styling is just about perfect
- Manual gearbox is better than ever
- Balance and Handling is hard to fault
- Rear-end grip is stellar
- Infinitely more practical than the sedan
- Sexy (optional) 20 inch wheels
Dislikes
- Poor rear vision
- Thirst for Premium Unleaded
- Small instuments are hard to read
Photos by Joel Strickland Photography.
2010 BMW 120d Hatch manual (E87) 
2009 Holden Commodore SS Sportwagon 
2009 Aston Martin V8 Vantage 
2009 Ford Mondeo MB (Titanium) 
2009 Honda Civic Type R 
2009 Nissan 370Z Auto 
2009 Volkswagen Passat CC V6 FSI 
2009 HSV Clubsport R8 Tourer
Comments
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For a similar price give me a Pasaat R36 anyday.
Better interior, better features, better technology and doesn’t look like a bulldog chewing a bee. Good to see that Performance Wagons are making a comeback though, about time.
Now there;s nothing “wrong” with Blaupunkt.. However; why doesn’t HSV get Holden to Install the BOSE In Car Entertainment system from the Statesman into the cars which are destined to make their way from Elizabeth to Clayton
Particularly in the R8 Tourer; with all that space.. 12 plus a Sub would be awesome.
Not only that but it would help justify the increase in price over an SS-V a bit more
Thank God there are now some manufacturers who have woken up to themselves and realised the humble wagon is a much better tool on-road than a hulking SUV. IMO the Sportwagon kills the sedan for looks. Mind you the VE is not the prettiest thing on the road. FG is much more stylish. Where is the FG Wagon? Is it going to be a sales rep special complete with leaf spings or are they going to do something like the VE Sportwagon. FG XR6T Sportwagon, now that would be something to get excited about..or better still F6 Sportwagon……if only.
Then again you can always rely on Subaru to make a decent performance wagon, have been doing so for years, cant wait to see the Gen 5.
The R36 Passat is nice, but the overall reliability of the R8 would be far greater than that of a VW. Not to mention long term costs for the term of ownership forservicing, repairs, maintenance and customer support - VW seem to charge what they want, regardless of on paper scheduled servicing costs…
As a result, my experiences with VW have been nothing short of unacceptable. My R32 (from new), I had interior rattles in under 5000km that drove me nuts (especially the ones behind the speedo and stereo that would never go away), SRS airbag warning lights flicking on and off during a drive (which 3 different VW dealers couldnt fix - ended up replacing the whole 7 airbags, only to have the same problem reappear after 2 weeks) - and I was forced to pay the labour costs!. I thougth my R32 was a lemon, but found out quickly there were others out there with the same issues…
Even tho I now own an 09 Subi STi Spec R (totally smitten), if I ever had to choose between either the R8 or the R36, my money would be on the R8 any day of the week, and twice on Sundays.
I personally would take the R8 Tourer of the Passat as well.
I reckon it looks better plus if your looking to tow with the added space over the sedan you cant go wrong with a V8 wagon.
I do want one!
the problem with the R36 you cant get a manual and not as much room inside as the HSV . I dont like the fact that you cant get memory seats on the HSV or SSV
GLOBAL WATCH:
HERE IN THE STATES, GM IS ABOUT TO TEST THE WATERS WITH THEIR NEW CADILLAC CTS WAGON. AND THERE’S ENOUGH CORPORATE COMMITMENT THAT THEY’RE EVEN CONFIRMING A “V” (HIGH PERFORMANCE) VERSION OF THE CAR AS WELL. AND IT’S PRETTY CERTAIN THAT AWD WILL ALSO BE AN OPTION. NOW, IF ONLY GM WOULD ALSO SEE THE WISDOM OF RESURRECTING THEIR “UTE” PROGRAM HERE. THE WHOLE PONTIAC ST EFFORT WAS SHELVED ALONG WITH THE PONTIAC G8 SEDAN WHEN THAT MOTOR DIVISION PLOWED HEADLONG INTO A BRICK WALL.
BOB LUTZ, (FUTURE PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT GURU), HAS ALREADY STATED THAT THE G8, (YOUR COMMODORE), WILL ARRIVE IN CHEVROLET DEALERSHIPS NEXT YEAR, REBADGED AS THE CAPRICE. HERE’S HOPING THAT THE FORMER ST ALSO SLIDES OVER. IF NOT, THE BOWTIE BOYS WILL HAVE TO WATCH IN AGONY AS THE NEW DOMESTICALLY PRODUCED FORD SUPER PURSUIT “OWNS” THAT EXPLOSIVELY POPULAR NEW MARKET SEGMENT. IT’S GOING TO BE ESPECIALLY PAINFUL FOR LOCAL GEARHEADS, BECAUSE THEY’LL FULLY UNDERSTAND HOW CLOSE THEY CAME TO HAVING THEIR OWN R8 MALOO HERE IN THE STATES… ONLY TO SEE GENERAL MOTORS DROP THE BALL.
I was just looking at the build number on that picture at the top, I just picked up Build # 0174
I really look forward to it. Great review.
I have owned a r8 Tourer for 3 months now and I always have a smile on my face when I drive it. It is a great car that keeps both my wife and myself happy. I previously have a had a my99 wrx which i spent a considerable ammount of mony on with the 2.5l and PPG gear box which was a graet car if I was in the mood but annoying when i was not. Do youself a favour if you want a family car and enjoy the drive of a quick car get a HSV r8 Tourer you can’t go wrong.
Hi Craig, Good to hear from another tourer owner! I have owned mine for nearly 2 weeks now and loving it. Such an awesome car!
I’m Having it lowered a bit with new shocks this weekend to improve the handling even more
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Matt