| Manufacturer | HSV |
|---|---|
| Production | 2008 - 2009 |
| Assembly | Clayton, Victoria, Australia |
| Class | Muscle car |
| Body style | 4-door sedan |
| Layout | FR layout |
| Platform | GM Zeta |
| Engine | LS7 V8 427 cu in (7.0 L) |
| Transmission | Tremec TR6060 6-speed manual |
| Related | HSV GTS Holden VE Commodore |
The HSV W427 is the limited edition flagship of the current E Series range by automobile manufacturer Holden Special Vehicles, released in celebration of the company's 20th anniversary.
The W427 is based on the GTS, but replaces the 6.2L LS3 V8 with the 7.0L LS7 V8 (also used in the Chevrolet Corvette Z06). Power outputs are 510 PS (375 kW; 503 bhp) at 7000 rpm and 640 N·m (470 lb·ft) at 5000 rpm,[1] and 0–100 km/h (0-62 mph) is achieved in 4.7 seconds,[2] making the W427 the most powerful and fastest production car ever built in Australia. It features recalibrated Magnetic Ride Control (MRC, or "MagneRide") and stiffer suspension settings than the GTS, as well as a toughened 6-speed manual gearbox, a new exhaust system, larger 6-piston brakes, and strengthened limited-slip differential.[2]
The W427's name is the result of a combination of factors. W is to honour the founder of HSV, Tom Walkinshaw.[3] The 427 is simply the engine capacity in cubic inches, but it is also a nod to the HRT 427C, which won the 2002 and 2003 Bathurst 24 Hour motor races in competition with Porsche, Lamborghini, BMW, Ferrari and Mosler amongst others.
Consumer interest for production of the W427 actually began with the 2002 HRT 427 Holden Monaro Coupe. The Holden Racing Team 427 used the 427 cubic inches (7,000 cm3) C5R Chevrolet racing engine, based on the GM LS7 V8, modified by HRT and Holden Special Vehicles to suit the Monaro. The 2002 HRT 427 featured a full carbon fiber body, a heavy-duty 900 N·m clutch mated to a custom T56 six-speed manual gearbox hand built by Tremec for HSV, two Sparco Pro 2000 seats, a half roll cage, fully adjustable dampers on double 'A' arm aluminum front suspension, AP Racing six-piston racing brakes, and ram air induction, a Motec instrument panel, and weight reduction bringing the car's weight down to just 1575 kg (3472 lb)[4]. It produced 417.6 kW (560 bhp) @ 6000 rpm, a top speed of 299.3 km/h (186 mph) and could sprint to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 3.7 seconds. After it became apparent to Holden that the high-spec HRT 427 couldn’t be built in such limited quantities for the asking price, the project was eventually canceled with deposits returned to eager buyers. As a result, only two concept HRT 427's, and four racing car versions, exist, each of which cost about $500,000 to build. One of the concepts is not for sale and is slated to remain with the Holden concept vehicle collection. In April 2008, the other concept HRT 427 was sold to the Cairns car collector Shawn Ryan for the record-breaking price of $920,000, making it the most expensive Australian car ever sold[5]. In June 2010, however, the car was re-sold at auction in Sydney to an anonymous Queensland buyer at the far lower price of $350,000[6]. The four racing cars have likewise made their way into collections, their racing careers shortened by regulation changes. This concept vehicle remains the fastest and most powerful non-production car ever built by a manufacturer in Australia.
The original concept model was produced in the same colour as the very first HSV model, the VL Commodore SS Group A SV.
The W427 went on sale in August 2008 and retails for A$155,500 (EUR€90920). Production was originally intended as a limited run of 427 cars. However, only 137 were built (this number does not include HSV's show car i.e. 138 are built), to be sold only in Australia and New Zealand (only 3 exported to NZ).[7]
Reportedly[8], Holden Special Vehicles offered the pre-order of build No 427 to the Cairns Monaro collector Shawn Ryan, who purchased the 2002 HRT 427 for $920,000 in 2008. The last W427 to be built was made to order in July 2009. This very last W427, White Build was No 137 sold in Western Australia Fremantle and personally signed by Tom Walkinshaw.
Facts Build colours Production colours; Black (44), White (35), Silver (23), Red (29), Evoke (6) Refinished colours (in the silver quantities); Lamborghini Green (1), Panorama Sliver (2).
This model will go down in history as the last car and the only car Tom Walkinshaw 'personally put' his name to. An icon that had history before it was born.
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