HSV's hot 427 supercar is go

HSV will build the wild HRT 427 super-coupe with production to commence in late 2003. Just 50 of the 350kW powerhouses will be built and each one will cost a cool $215,000.

HSV dealers currently hold 83 orders for the car, although that total is expected to dwindle a little when the time comes to hand over the 10 per cent desposit.

But hey, considering HSV says 427 will have the ability to go head-to-head with a $400,000 Porsche GT3, you could argue it's actually great value for money!The 427 will be road registerable although a racing conevrsion pack will also be made available. A 427-only racing series is also a possibility.

HSV intends to show the first production example of the HRT - which stands for Holden Racing Team, the dominant V8 Supercar team which HSV owns - at the Sydney motor show this October.

And as 427 is planned to be the first in a series of high performance low volume models from HSV expect the company's next supercar parked alongside it in concept form.

"This the biggest and most complex project we will have undertaken," said HSV managing director John Crennan, who announced the 427's green light at the company's national dealer convention last week.

"We are doing it as a wonderful advertisement for HSV being a world leader in high performance specialty cars."The 427 was the result of collaboration between Holden, which styled the coupe, and HSV, which led project management, engineering and manufacture. Few technical or styling details are expected to change from concept to production.

In Sydney the 427 was powered by a 427ci (7.0-litre) big-block Chev V8 based on the Corvette C5R race engine and featuring HSV-unique pistons and CNC-machined cylinder-heads.

It also employs double A-arm front suspension, which could be incorporated into other future HSV production.

Other technical highlights include eight individual throttle bodies with carbon-fibre flutes, a heavy-duty 900Nm clutch, special T56 Tremec six-speed transmission, AP six-piston brakes, half rollcage, Sparco seats, HRT-style tiller and Motec instruments.

HRT 427 is 100kg lighter than the Monaro-based GTS Coupe at 1575kg, thanks to a 14kg lighter carbon-fibre bonnet, magnesium wheels and the deletion of air-conditioning and rear seats.

* HSV has also announced details of its Series 2 Monaro-based GTO and GTS Coupe range.

As per Monaro, styling changes are minor outside, with more substantial alterations inside thanks to the new dash layout that comes from the HSV Y Series range.

Also aping the the Y Series, the GTO's LS1 V8 engine has been recalibrated to deliver 260kW (up from 255kW), while the GTS' 300kW C4B V8 remains at 300kW but is claimed to be smoother. The GTS also picks up the option of four-speed automatic transmission.

The GTO also picks up the HSV Touring 3 suspension tune, the only difference being the rear rollbar size has been reduced from 15mm to 14mm.

Prices remain unchanged at $75,500 for the GTO and $96,500 for the GTS. HSV sold nearly 800 Coupes sold in 2002.