Chevrolet CR8: Middle East Gets 412 Hp Holden Commodore HSV

With petrol prices flirting with $100 a barrel, we’re guessing there’s big market for cars like the Holden Commodore based, HSV Clubsport R8 in the oil-producing areas of the Middle East. The Clubsport R8 will be exported to the Middle East in left-hand-rive form as the Chevrolet CR8 and that’s about all the differences between the two cars. The new CR8, which will be on display at the forthcoming Dubai Motor Show from 14-18 November, is equipped with a 6.0-liter V8 LS2 delivering 412 Hp. So, now that HSV has created a left-hand-drive version, what the excuse for not bringing it to the U.S.? -Continued after the jump

Press Release: GM Holden has teamed up with Holden Special Vehicles (HSV) to expand its range of exported vehicles to the Middle East.

The new export program, launched overnight in the Middle East, will see a version of HSV’s popular E Series ClubSport R8 model exported in LHD form and badged under the Chevrolet Special Vehicles logo.

The new high performance model will be known as CR8. It features the LS2 6.0-litre engine Generation IV V8 engine delivering 307kw of peak performance with 550 Nm* of torque.

With over 200,000 Holden-sourced short and long wheel based vehicles sold into the region since 1998, the Middle East has been Holden’s biggest and most enduring volume export market.

Currently Holden currently exports variants of the VE and WM sedan ranges which are sold in the region as Chevrolet Lumina and Chevrolet Caprice respectively. The Chevrolet Lumina ranges from the LS model (based on the VE Omega) up to the sports-based SS (based on the equivalent Commodore SS model).

Alan Batey, GM Holden Executive Director – Sales and Marketing comments, “This extension of our product range in the region illustrates the growing maturity of the Middle East market.

“Holden has been able to partner its expertise in tailoring vehicles for the Middle East with the high performance expertise of HSV to deliver a vehicle that will deliver a great driving experience.

“Local buyers appreciate the luxury brands but also seek great performance and handling from their vehicles. Both the Lumina and Caprice deliver that combination and with the introduction of the CR8, consumers will be offered another exciting option.”

Scott Grant, Managing Director of HSV, said “This announcement adds another important export market to the HSV portfolio, on top of our successful program with Vauxhall in the UK and long standing presence in New Zealand.

“HSV is already well known brand among car enthusiasts in the Middle East, many of whom are fans of the Aussie high performance cars and our racing activities.

“We have also been involved in the region through supply and preparation of 20 Clubsport R VZ models for the Lumina CSV Championship which is run by the Bahrain International Race Circuit and sponsored by Chevrolet.

“The initial response from dealers has been exceptional with the CR8 being praised for its aggressive stance, excellent acceleration and handling.”

Exports represent an increasingly important part of GM Holden’s current business model with total export sales for 2006 reaching 46,074. Of those, over 31,000 were for the Middle East in what was a record export year to the region for GM Holden.

Earlier this year, Chevrolet Caprice received its second major award in the Middle East as it was named Best Executive Sedan by Middle East Car magazine. In late 2006, it was announced as Luxury Car of the Year by Middle East Autocar magazine.

The launch of the new export program is timed to coincide with the Desert 400 V8 Supercar round in Bahrain this weekend where the CSV logo will feature prominently on Todd Kelly’s Chevrolet branded Holden Racing Team car.

The new CR8 will also be on display at a CSV stand at the forthcoming Dubai Motor Show from 14-18 November.

Holden HSV Maloo R8 Ute: 2007 Sydney Show

The hottest “El-Camino” in the world is Australian and it’s made by Holden Special Vehicles (HSV). Officially unveiled at the Sydney Show today, the Maloo (an aboriginal word for thunder or storm) gets the same 412 Hp LS2 V8 as the Clubsport R8 with power being driven to the rear wheels via a 6-speed manual gearbox or optionally, an automatic transmission. HSV’s Chief Engineer John Clark was pretty excited about his company’s latest offering characterizing the Maloo R8 as a “coupe with a damn big boot!”. Can you blame him? -Continued after the jump

The Maloo R8 is already on sale at HSV Dealerships across Australia with prices starting from $59,990 AUD or $53,940 USD. Options include automatic transmission for an extra $2,000 AUD or $ 1,800 USD and a ‘performance pack’ which consists of 20-inch wheels and GTS inspired performance seats. This pack will retail in Australia for an additional $3,750 AUD or $3,360 USD.

Unique HSV Maloo R8 features:

• Distinct sheet moulded compound (SMC) rear tailgate,
• 307kW / 412 Hp LS2 V8 engine,
• AP Racing four piston brake package,
• Group A Walkinshaw inspired side skirt,
• New glore suede HSV ‘performance’ seats,
• Remote release hard tonneau with release button on main key,
• Reverse parking sensors and
• A ‘performance pack’ option consisting of full leather ‘performance’ seats and 20 inch wheels.

Special 20th Anniversary HSV Clubsport R8 Revealed In Sydney

Holden’s special vehicle department (HSV for short) is celebrating its 20th birthday at the Australian International Motor Show in Sydney today with the unveiling of the commemorative ClubSport R8. Limited to a run of just 100 units, the 20th Anniversary ClubSport R8 retains the 412Hp LS2 V8 engine and the HSV bodykit adding to the mixture a special sandstorm color scheme, anniversary sill plates, GTS black accenting, leather seats featuring the 20th Anniversary logo and chrome shadow wheels and brake callipers finished in black and gold. -Continued after the jump

HSV’s managing director Scott Grant said the release of a 20th Anniversary ClubSport R8 celebrated the heritage of the luxury and performance car company.

“The birth of HSV and the reveal of the very first VL Group A SS Commodore – commonly referred to as the ‘Walkinshaw’ – took place at the 1987 Sydney Motor Show. From those humble beginnings, HSV has gone on to produce over 55,000 vehicles and dominate the world of Motorsport,” Scott Grant said.

“It is only fitting that today we unveil a limited edition model to commemorate the company’s 20th Anniversary,” he said.

The 20th Anniversary ClubSport R8 goes on sale from October at HSV Dealerships across Australia and is priced from $65,990 AUD or $59,340 USD.

‘08 Holden HSV Maloo R8 Leaked: 412 Hp V8 Engine For The Ultimate “El Camino”

The 2008 Holden VE Commodore Sportwagon that we showed you earlier today (click here) isn’t the only car running loose before its official Sydney Show premiere next week; so is the 2008 Holden HSV Maloo R8 which we first showed you about a month ago (see here). Thanks to Australian car magazine “Motor” that breached an agreement with Holden and its performance partner HSV by accidentally (?) mailing the November issue of the mag featuring the Ute to thousand of subscribers, prior to the 2007 Sydney Show opening on October 11, we have details and pics of the next generation HSV Maloo R8. -Continued after the jump

Concisely, the rear-wheel-drive HSV Maloo R8 is equipped with the same 412 Hp 6.0-litre V8 engine as the HSV Clubsport R8 and it can be combined with a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission. The Clubsport R8 also lent its front end treatment to the Maloo which sits on 19-inch alloys (20-inch rims optional). According to Motor Magazine, the HSV Maloo R8 will go on sale at the end of October with prices starting at $59,990 AUD ($53,300 USD) for the manual gearbox version and $61,990 AUD ($55,060 USD) for the six-speed auto model.

Via: Drive

HSV Announces Surprise Debut At Sydney Show- LS7 V8 Commodore?

GM’s Australian subsidiary seems to get a kick out of countdowns lately as not long after the VE Series UTE countdown page, Holden’s high-performance division, HSV has added itself a timer on its official webpage noting than in 24 days from now, on October 10, it will unveil “The Biggest Moment In HSV’s First 20 Years”. Mmm, let’s put the facts down starting with the date. On October 10 we have the 2007 Sydney Motor Show. That was easy. -Continued after the jump

Fact two: HSV’s top model is the almighty Clubsport R8. It is based on the VE Commodore and it comes equipped with GM’s LS2 6.0L V8 that delivers 412 Hp / 307 KW. Therefore, HSV’s biggest moment should be either more powerful or unique. Could it be a VE Commodore with the Corvette’s Z06 505Hp LS7 V8 as our friends at Motorauthority rightfully suggest? Could be. On the other hand, maybe it’s a prototype version of the forthcoming Monaro Coupe with HSV badges -that sounds less probable but definitely more desirable.

Well, we could go on guessing until you got so frustrated that you’d prefer to watch Hello Kitty knitting a scarf than continue reading our article but there’s no point in that. In the worse case scenario we’ll just have to wait another 24 days– we’re betting that something will leak into the web sooner than that.