HSV W427 the low down

Holden Special Vehicles unveiled their new W427 at the Melbourne Motor Show last Friday, the car they claim is the final instalment in the company’s 20th anniversary celebrations.

The W427 is finished in the same Panorama Silver as the car that started it all for HSV, twenty years ago, the original Group A SS VL Commodore.

HSV are touting the W427 as being “quite possibly the fastest road registrable Supercar ever produced in Australia” – we would tend to agree with that claim.

Development of the W427 is still in progress, so final power figures have not been released, however HSV have confirmed that the 7.0-litre LS7 V8 should be good for in excess of 370kW of power and 640Nm of torque.

“To be able to produce a vehicle of these proportions is truly remarkable,” said Scott Grant, HSV Managing Director.

When you shoehorn the Corvette Z06’s 7.0-litre V8 into a family saloon, bigger brakes are called for and HSV have fitted a new six piston front braking system that will provide a 50 percent increase in pad area over the standard HSV brake package. The W427 also receives a revised ESP calibration, six air bags, improved handling and new Magnetic Ride Control settings.

“It will also be one of the safest cars HSV has ever put on the road,” said Scott Grant.

In addition to the additional safety kit, the W427 receives a bimodal exhaust system that improves the noise quality of the exhaust and assists in back pressure management.

Styling and design highlights include an all new front fascia, that has received a mixed response, along with a three piece carbon fibre rear spoiler, 20 inch machined faced alloy wheels, unique exhaust tips and a less than subtle red leather interior.

HSV will be introducing a unique customer relations program to accompany the launch of the W427, which will be produced in limited numbers to ensure exclusivity.

The W427 will be the most unique vehicle in the current E-Series line-up. The LS7 engine will be fitted at HSV’s Clayton plant along with the same dry sump system used by the Z06 Corvette. HSV are considering offering new owners the opportunity to visit HSV to see the W427’s manufacturing process for themselves.

Expect the sticker on this, the greatest ever HSV to be considerably in excess of $100,000.

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