New GP/GTO????

In any case it is a new Holden and it looks good! posted on Drive.comau

HSV's eagerly awaited E-Series performance sedan has broken cover a full week ahead of its official launch because of a silly mix-up in embargo dates.

Pictures of a white E-Series sedan, most likely a Clubsport, were apparently published by a government department mistakenly advised by HSV that the vehicle's official launch was yesterday, Wednesday August 16. The launch was actually put back a week until Monday 21 August, but it seems this small detail never got to the department in question.

These pictures, picked up by enthusiast sites like LS1.com.au, are only the second time Australia has seen scoop images of HSV's E-Series models. drive.com.au nabbed prized video footage of the E-Series driving on public roads around Holden's Lang Lang proving ground in June.

It's clear from these two photos that while HSV's E-Series models will have unique styling, they still unashamedly reflect their Commodore origins. In typical HSV fashion the sports sedan gets a unique rear diffuser and wing, side skirts and a deep chin spoiler. But by far the biggest visual differences are the taillights at the rear and huge vent behind the front wheels

Disappointingly it looks like HSV has left Holden's quad exhaust pipes and headlights alone, and continued with VZ-style nostrils.

Tyres, too, look to be the same 19inch specification Holden offers on the Commodore SS-V, with 20inch wheels and tyres expected on higher spec models like the GTS. Bigger AP Racing brakes will be called on to slow the E-Series, which is up to 100kg heavier on some models than before.

As for engines, forget the stories you're been reading about 6.2 or even 7.0-litre V8 engines, they're still in the future, and don't expect massive jumps in power to 350kW and beyond. Drive understands HSV E-Series models will get a more modest power increase, and certainly not the 310kW others have guessed at. A six-speed manual transmission will be standard, and GM's new six-speed auto an option.

Drive has previously reported that HSV will launch an all-new active suspension system called MagneRide on the E-Series, which uses magnetic energy and ferrous fluid in the dampers to change damping characteristics on the fly. The system, which is also used on some Cadillac models and on Ferrari's 599 GTB Fiorano, will be fitted to the top-spec GTS model only and will be called Magnetic Ride Control (MRC).

That's right; after a two-year absence the GTS model is set to return to the HSV line-up alongside the Clubsport and Senator. But we've heard HSV will not endow this halo car with any more power than more mundane E Series models, relying solely on MRC to set it apart on performance.

That, of course, makes room for a higher-performance model – remember the GTS-R? – to join the line-up at a later date, most likely with a 6.2-litre V8 engine and more than 320kW.

HSV models are expected to pick up VE Commodore-style interiors, with detail changes to reflect HSV's premium position – but the overall layout and control-placement is expected to remain unchanged.

The news for fans of the HSV Maloo ute isn't good. HSV will not be releasing a new version of its lightning-quick load lugger until Holden updates the Commodore ute – and that's not expected until 2008 at the earliest.

Check Drive.com.au at 9am Monday morning for the full story on all HSV E-Series models.

Edited August 18, 200618 yr by hyperv6

That front 3/4 shot looks sharp! The rear end needs a little more difference over the current GTO though.