2008 HSV W427 Sedan (Build No. 58)

Description

Established in 1987 and based in Clayton, Victoria, Holden Special Vehicles was the officially designated performance vehicle partner of Holden and modified models such as the Commodore, long-wheelbase Caprice and commercial Ute. Over the years, Holden Special Vehicles also modified other non-Holden cars within the General Motors portfolio in very low volumes. The HSV W427 was a limited-edition flagship model based on the VE Series, released to celebrate the company's 20th anniversary in 2008 and to assuage customers disappointing by the shelving of the ambitious HRT 427 back in 2002. Based on the HSV GTS, the W427 was powered by the mighty LS7 V8 engine paired exclusively with the TR6060 six-speed manual gearbox, along with bigger brakes, strengthened gearbox, revised suspension with unique spring rates and stiffer rear bushings and revised MRC settings. Rated at 375 kW at 6500 rpm and 640 Nm at 5000 rpm of torque, the W427 was the most powerful car ever made in Australia at the time of its launch and even today remains one of the most expensive at $155,500. The W427 was available in five standard exterior colours – Heron, Sting Red, Nitrate, Phantom and Evoke – while the cabin was trimmed in full red leather featuring the W427 logo. Specific body details included the unique front end, three-piece carbon-fibre tail spoiler, projector headlamps and quad exhausts featuring active bi-modal rear mufflers, offset by unique 20-inch alloy wheels. Although HSV originally intended to build 400 examples, best estimates suggest only 137 were ever made, making this one of the most exclusive vehicles ever produced in Australia. HSV billed the W427 as their ultimate road car and Wheels magazine certainly backed this up, stating “Believe the hype. With the balance to back up the numbers, HSV has just created Australia’s first supercar.” Just over a decade on it remains one of the most collectible modern Australian classics and a must have for the serious HSV enthusiast.