mikeyb
10-14-2005, 07:23 AM
Hatches Turning Up The Heat
Jaedene Hudson 14/10/05
www.carsguide.com.au (http://www.carsguide.com.au/)
Ford and Holden Special Vehicles (HSV) yesterday unveiled two hot hatches at the Australian International Motor Show.
The turbocharged 2.0-litre HSV VXR, with an estimated price below $43,000, is the first 4-cylinder from HSV, better known for producing hot V8s.
Ford's Focus XR5 Turbo is the latest version of the ST220 but renamed to fit in with the performance XR badging of the company's larger offerings, the XR6 and the XR8.
HSV sales and marketing director Chris Payne says the VXR has enormous potential in a new market segment. "It will be a totally new category for HSV but we wouldn't be looking at VXR if we were not convinced that it's capable of setting new benchmarks in the hot hatch class," he says.
The HSV VXR's four-cylinder engine produces 176kW of power and 320Nm of torque with a power to weight ratio of 6.9kg per kilowatt. The VXR powers to 100km/h in just six seconds.
"We've been aware of the phenomenal qualities of this car since the early development phase at OPC (Opel Performance Centre) in Germany. OPC is in many ways to Opel what HSV is to Holden," Payne says. "With its success overseas we thought it was time to assess the Australian public's response to the VXR."
The VXR will feature HSV styling, high-performance brakes, a close ratio six-speed gearbox, 19-inch alloy wheels, Recaro sports seats, sports tuned suspension and a sporty interior. The car will be based on Opel's OPC Astra, launched at the Geneva Motor Show this year.
"It will technically be an exchange. We have given them a large V8 [the Monaro] and they will give us the VXR. It will be specially imported for HSV," he says.
The car is the result of more than two years' intensive planning between Vauxhall and HSV, to fill one of the areas HSV has been lacking in, until now.
"We would not expect a high conversion rate from the V8-type customer, but we would expect the VXR to be the second HSV in the family, the second car, or the car for a younger family member, and those who had never considered an HSV before," Payne says.
A limited number of VXRs will be available through HSV dealers next year.
First Look: HSV Reveals VXR Turbo
Marton Pettendy & Neil McDonald 14/10/05
www.goauto.com.au (http://www.goauto.com.au/)
As GoAuto revealed in August, HSV has heralded its intentions to step outside the V8 muscle car segment and into the hot hatch arena by unveiling Opel’s storming new Astra OPC as the HSV VXR Turbo concept at Darling Harbour yesterday.
As for the Astra, HSV is using Sydney to test the waters for the imminent release of the turbocharged front-drive three-door before its 2006 release as part of the HSV range.
Far from being just a concept, HSV has made its intention clear that it plans to add the turbocharged four-cylinder coupe to its muscle-bound V8 line-up and will even be taking orders.
VXR is based on the the Astra OPC, which has enjoyed strong sales since its release at the Geneva motor show in March, and would be positioned above Holden’s new 147kW Astra SRi due on sale in January.
VXR is powered by a force-fed 176kW/320Nm 2.0-litre four-cylinder, mated to a close-ratio six-speed gearbox, delivering a power-to-weight ratio of 6.9kg/kW.
As previously reported, HSV has worked in conjunction with Germany’s Opel Performance Centre for more than 12 months on the VXR project, which takes its name from the UK version as Atra OPC is known as the Vauxhall VXR there.
The car’s handling, refinement and overall driveability has been hailed in Europe and HSV marketing director, Chris Payne believes he can repeat the experience here.
He says the hot hatch could be on sale here in limited numbers next year, with pricing under $43,000.
Apart from the sleek coupe body, the Astra VXR will boast 19-inch alloys, Recaro sports seats, sports instrumentation and stability and traction control aids to keep the power on the black-top.
Mr Payne believes if the Astra VXR is a success, it could lead to some other exciting future products in the HSV stable.
For its part, he believes the VXR has the traditional HSV core values covered. That means individual styling, class-leading power and torque, powerful brakes, a sports tuned suspension, 19-inch alloy wheels and a sporting interior.
He also believes the car carries with it the same driver-focused, high-performance engineering DNA that you’d find in other HSV products.
"It will be a totally new category for HSV but we wouldn’t be looking at VXR if we weren’t convinced that it’s capable of setting new benchmarks in the hot-hatch class," Mr Payne says.
"Its power-to-weight ratio puts it head to head with class rivals, and this is evident in a 0-100km/h sprint of just over six seconds."
The other ingredient to a four-cylinder HSV is that this Astra could introduce a whole new group of people to the HSV brand who’d otherwise have shopped elsewhere.
"It’s an enticing package for those looking for the ultimate in individuality and performance in a compact size and, therefore, could attract buyers from a wide demographic, such as young urban-based singles and couples."
It would even make an ideal second HSV in the household, he said.
Before diehard fans collapse in shock at the prospect of a four-cylinder HSV, we’d like to point out that an HSV-inspired Astra isn’t exactly new.
Back in 1988 the Melbourne-based company had a lukewarm dabble in the small car area with the Astra SV1800, essentially a rebadged Nissan Pulsar without any trick engine modifications.
Needless to say, the whole, sad experience has become a forgettable blur on the HSV consciousness as the company has gone on to make its name with powerful and individually styled V8s based on Commodore and Statesman vehicles.
However, this time around HSV is confident this turbocharged 2.0-litre four cylinder will deliver the goods and street credibility necessary for such an enthusiast brand.
HSV Asks, “Are You VXR Enough?”
Holden Special Vehicles 14/10/05
www.hsv.com.au (http://www.hsv.com.au/)
HSV’s bold moves onto the niche high performance vehicle world stage are paying handsome dividends and it’s not just a one way street.
It has allowed a rich network of relationships to be established with other global performance vehicle specialists, a factor which has opened up direct access to unique products that share HSV’s traditional philosophy of passion, excitement, driving enjoyment, exceptional performance and value for money.
A prime example can be found in the extraordinary VXR Turbo, shown as a concept at the Australian International Motor Show. It’s a vehicle that offers enormous potential says HSV Sales and Marketing Director, Chris Payne.
“We’ve been aware of the phenomenal qualities of this car since the early development phase at OPC (Opel Performance Centre) in Germany – OPC is in many ways to Opel what HSV is to Holden. Since the car’s release it has taken European markets by storm and, in the process, won acclaim from the motoring press when tested against major class rivals.”
“With its success overseas we thought it was time to assess the Australian public’s response to the VXR. Indications are that it will be very well received, and if that’s the case, we will look to make a limited number available through HSV Dealers in 2006, and who knows where this could lead to with exciting future products”.
The VXR has the traditional HSV core values covered – individual styling, class leading power and torque, powerful brakes, sports tuned suspension, 19-inch alloy wheels and a sporting interior – but there’s more than that. Despite being developed in Europe it carries the same driver focused, high performance engineering DNA that you’d find in other HSV products.
“It will be a totally new category for HSV but we wouldn’t be looking at VXR if we weren’t convinced that it’s capable of setting new benchmarks in the hot hatch class. Its power-to-weight ratio puts it head to head with class rivals, and this is evident in a 0-100kmh sprint of just over 6 seconds. With an estimated price below $43,000 this car will offer sensational value for the performance dollar.”
“Should the VXR make the anticipated transition to the local market it will also be an exciting way to expose the HSV brand to a whole new group of people who have never considered HSV before. It’s an enticing package for those looking for the ultimate in individuality and performance in a compact size and, therefore, could attract buyers from a wide demographic, such as young urban-based singles and couples. Indeed, it would even make the ideal second HSV in the household!” Mr Payne said.
Further announcements on the future of the HSV VXR will be made following the Australian International Motor Show after public feedback has been assessed.
Expressions of interest will be taken at HSV Dealers following the Australian International Motor Show
HSV VXR Turbo Specification Highlights
• Turbocharged 2.0 litre, 16V
• Power 176kW
• Torque 320Nm
• Power to weight – 6.9kg/kW
• Close ratio six speed gearbox
• 19-inch alloy wheels
http://img410.imageshack.us/img410/2622/13holdleadimage400x3133qa.jpg
http://img407.imageshack.us/img407/9430/13hothaleadimage2lb.jpg
http://img432.imageshack.us/img432/5755/vxr20yx.jpg
http://img432.imageshack.us/img432/1140/vxr14cy.jpg
http://img432.imageshack.us/img432/441/hsvastravxrrear3yj.jpg
Jaedene Hudson 14/10/05
www.carsguide.com.au (http://www.carsguide.com.au/)
Ford and Holden Special Vehicles (HSV) yesterday unveiled two hot hatches at the Australian International Motor Show.
The turbocharged 2.0-litre HSV VXR, with an estimated price below $43,000, is the first 4-cylinder from HSV, better known for producing hot V8s.
Ford's Focus XR5 Turbo is the latest version of the ST220 but renamed to fit in with the performance XR badging of the company's larger offerings, the XR6 and the XR8.
HSV sales and marketing director Chris Payne says the VXR has enormous potential in a new market segment. "It will be a totally new category for HSV but we wouldn't be looking at VXR if we were not convinced that it's capable of setting new benchmarks in the hot hatch class," he says.
The HSV VXR's four-cylinder engine produces 176kW of power and 320Nm of torque with a power to weight ratio of 6.9kg per kilowatt. The VXR powers to 100km/h in just six seconds.
"We've been aware of the phenomenal qualities of this car since the early development phase at OPC (Opel Performance Centre) in Germany. OPC is in many ways to Opel what HSV is to Holden," Payne says. "With its success overseas we thought it was time to assess the Australian public's response to the VXR."
The VXR will feature HSV styling, high-performance brakes, a close ratio six-speed gearbox, 19-inch alloy wheels, Recaro sports seats, sports tuned suspension and a sporty interior. The car will be based on Opel's OPC Astra, launched at the Geneva Motor Show this year.
"It will technically be an exchange. We have given them a large V8 [the Monaro] and they will give us the VXR. It will be specially imported for HSV," he says.
The car is the result of more than two years' intensive planning between Vauxhall and HSV, to fill one of the areas HSV has been lacking in, until now.
"We would not expect a high conversion rate from the V8-type customer, but we would expect the VXR to be the second HSV in the family, the second car, or the car for a younger family member, and those who had never considered an HSV before," Payne says.
A limited number of VXRs will be available through HSV dealers next year.
First Look: HSV Reveals VXR Turbo
Marton Pettendy & Neil McDonald 14/10/05
www.goauto.com.au (http://www.goauto.com.au/)
As GoAuto revealed in August, HSV has heralded its intentions to step outside the V8 muscle car segment and into the hot hatch arena by unveiling Opel’s storming new Astra OPC as the HSV VXR Turbo concept at Darling Harbour yesterday.
As for the Astra, HSV is using Sydney to test the waters for the imminent release of the turbocharged front-drive three-door before its 2006 release as part of the HSV range.
Far from being just a concept, HSV has made its intention clear that it plans to add the turbocharged four-cylinder coupe to its muscle-bound V8 line-up and will even be taking orders.
VXR is based on the the Astra OPC, which has enjoyed strong sales since its release at the Geneva motor show in March, and would be positioned above Holden’s new 147kW Astra SRi due on sale in January.
VXR is powered by a force-fed 176kW/320Nm 2.0-litre four-cylinder, mated to a close-ratio six-speed gearbox, delivering a power-to-weight ratio of 6.9kg/kW.
As previously reported, HSV has worked in conjunction with Germany’s Opel Performance Centre for more than 12 months on the VXR project, which takes its name from the UK version as Atra OPC is known as the Vauxhall VXR there.
The car’s handling, refinement and overall driveability has been hailed in Europe and HSV marketing director, Chris Payne believes he can repeat the experience here.
He says the hot hatch could be on sale here in limited numbers next year, with pricing under $43,000.
Apart from the sleek coupe body, the Astra VXR will boast 19-inch alloys, Recaro sports seats, sports instrumentation and stability and traction control aids to keep the power on the black-top.
Mr Payne believes if the Astra VXR is a success, it could lead to some other exciting future products in the HSV stable.
For its part, he believes the VXR has the traditional HSV core values covered. That means individual styling, class-leading power and torque, powerful brakes, a sports tuned suspension, 19-inch alloy wheels and a sporting interior.
He also believes the car carries with it the same driver-focused, high-performance engineering DNA that you’d find in other HSV products.
"It will be a totally new category for HSV but we wouldn’t be looking at VXR if we weren’t convinced that it’s capable of setting new benchmarks in the hot-hatch class," Mr Payne says.
"Its power-to-weight ratio puts it head to head with class rivals, and this is evident in a 0-100km/h sprint of just over six seconds."
The other ingredient to a four-cylinder HSV is that this Astra could introduce a whole new group of people to the HSV brand who’d otherwise have shopped elsewhere.
"It’s an enticing package for those looking for the ultimate in individuality and performance in a compact size and, therefore, could attract buyers from a wide demographic, such as young urban-based singles and couples."
It would even make an ideal second HSV in the household, he said.
Before diehard fans collapse in shock at the prospect of a four-cylinder HSV, we’d like to point out that an HSV-inspired Astra isn’t exactly new.
Back in 1988 the Melbourne-based company had a lukewarm dabble in the small car area with the Astra SV1800, essentially a rebadged Nissan Pulsar without any trick engine modifications.
Needless to say, the whole, sad experience has become a forgettable blur on the HSV consciousness as the company has gone on to make its name with powerful and individually styled V8s based on Commodore and Statesman vehicles.
However, this time around HSV is confident this turbocharged 2.0-litre four cylinder will deliver the goods and street credibility necessary for such an enthusiast brand.
HSV Asks, “Are You VXR Enough?”
Holden Special Vehicles 14/10/05
www.hsv.com.au (http://www.hsv.com.au/)
HSV’s bold moves onto the niche high performance vehicle world stage are paying handsome dividends and it’s not just a one way street.
It has allowed a rich network of relationships to be established with other global performance vehicle specialists, a factor which has opened up direct access to unique products that share HSV’s traditional philosophy of passion, excitement, driving enjoyment, exceptional performance and value for money.
A prime example can be found in the extraordinary VXR Turbo, shown as a concept at the Australian International Motor Show. It’s a vehicle that offers enormous potential says HSV Sales and Marketing Director, Chris Payne.
“We’ve been aware of the phenomenal qualities of this car since the early development phase at OPC (Opel Performance Centre) in Germany – OPC is in many ways to Opel what HSV is to Holden. Since the car’s release it has taken European markets by storm and, in the process, won acclaim from the motoring press when tested against major class rivals.”
“With its success overseas we thought it was time to assess the Australian public’s response to the VXR. Indications are that it will be very well received, and if that’s the case, we will look to make a limited number available through HSV Dealers in 2006, and who knows where this could lead to with exciting future products”.
The VXR has the traditional HSV core values covered – individual styling, class leading power and torque, powerful brakes, sports tuned suspension, 19-inch alloy wheels and a sporting interior – but there’s more than that. Despite being developed in Europe it carries the same driver focused, high performance engineering DNA that you’d find in other HSV products.
“It will be a totally new category for HSV but we wouldn’t be looking at VXR if we weren’t convinced that it’s capable of setting new benchmarks in the hot hatch class. Its power-to-weight ratio puts it head to head with class rivals, and this is evident in a 0-100kmh sprint of just over 6 seconds. With an estimated price below $43,000 this car will offer sensational value for the performance dollar.”
“Should the VXR make the anticipated transition to the local market it will also be an exciting way to expose the HSV brand to a whole new group of people who have never considered HSV before. It’s an enticing package for those looking for the ultimate in individuality and performance in a compact size and, therefore, could attract buyers from a wide demographic, such as young urban-based singles and couples. Indeed, it would even make the ideal second HSV in the household!” Mr Payne said.
Further announcements on the future of the HSV VXR will be made following the Australian International Motor Show after public feedback has been assessed.
Expressions of interest will be taken at HSV Dealers following the Australian International Motor Show
HSV VXR Turbo Specification Highlights
• Turbocharged 2.0 litre, 16V
• Power 176kW
• Torque 320Nm
• Power to weight – 6.9kg/kW
• Close ratio six speed gearbox
• 19-inch alloy wheels
http://img410.imageshack.us/img410/2622/13holdleadimage400x3133qa.jpg
http://img407.imageshack.us/img407/9430/13hothaleadimage2lb.jpg
http://img432.imageshack.us/img432/5755/vxr20yx.jpg
http://img432.imageshack.us/img432/1140/vxr14cy.jpg
http://img432.imageshack.us/img432/441/hsvastravxrrear3yj.jpg