Wild new Walkinshaw Superwagon blows up a storm

IT’S billed as Australia’s most powerful wagon and claimed to crack 100km/h in less than five seconds, making it just as quick but even more commodious than BMW’s wacky X6 M or the Porsche Cayenne Turbo.

And with a blown 450kW/770Nm 6.0-litre Chevrolet V8 motivating it we’re not about to argue.

Meet the latest creation from Melbourne tuning house Walkinshaw Performance, based on Holden’s Pontiac G8-look SS-V Sportwagon Special Edition: the WP ‘Superwagon’.

Built to showcase a new go-fast product line-up aimed directly at Holden customers, the Superwagon comes with performance upgrades now available for the entire V8-powered VE Commodore sedan, wagon, ute, Statesman and Caprice model range.

Left: Walkinshaw Performance Commodore SS-V 'Superwagon'. Bottom: WP E2 Supercar.The highlight is a red-finished WP190 Supercharger kit that extracts up to 450kW of power and a wholesome 770Nm of torque from Holden’s 6.0-litre Gen 4 Chevrolet V8 - and comes standard with a no-cost drivetrain warranty, extending for the balance of Holden’s three-year/100,000km new-car warranty.

Developed by the Clayton-based aftermarket company of global motorsport baron Tom Walkinshaw, who owns HSV, the VE Superwagon and its Holden-specific performance parts follow the release last month of WP’s HSV-based ‘E2 Supercar’.

Priced at $49,920 – on top of the price of the vehicle - it packs a force-fed 480kW/802Nm 6.2-litre LS3 V8 and a range of suspension and exterior/interior cosmetic enhancements.

Available via WP’s Victorian headquarters or authorised agents across Australia, WP supercharger kits continue to start at $16,980, while the most basic WP package opens at $3590.

But the Superwagon also comes with WP’s unique colour-coded bonnet scoops, 3.0-inch bi-modal exhaust system, lowered suspension kit, unique 20-inch wheels and tyres, unique engine covers, mats and head restraints and an exclusive new integrated Rockford Fosgate premium sound system with Bluetooth connectivity, available for the first time in the VE – bringing the total price to $43,990.

Once again, of course, that doesn’t include the cost of the Holden itself, which in this case adds $57,290 to the price, pegging the SS-V Superwagon at a cool $101,280.

Fitted to Holden’s most affordable V8 model, the Commodore SS sedan ($47,790), the same treatment would total $91,780 plus on-road costs, while at the other end of the scale a full-house WP ‘Super-Caprice’ will set you back more than $120,000 driveaway.

“To be able to have a car with all that boot space for weekends away with the kids, which can also sprint from 0-100kmh in less than five seconds is some achievement,” said WP program engineer Alan Hale.

“A full driveline warranty is the icing on the cake for anyone looking for increased performance from their Holden, without compromising.”

WP sales and marketing manager Tony Harris said the company’s new “industry-first” warranty, which also applies to both Holden and HSV conversions, has attracted plenty of attention.

“Over 50 per cent of our enquiry is from Holden customers and the fact we are now offering a warranty on supercharged engines gives owners peace of mind, as well as some pretty exciting product to experience,” he said.