Holden Special Vehicles (HSV) is not quite to Australia's Holden automaker as AMG is to Mercedes-Benz, as it badges Holden cars with its own name rather than just make them look and perform better. The outfit has been making big sedans and sedan-based sport trucks go faster for 25 years now and to celebrate, HSV is releasing a limited-edition 25th Anniversary GTS. Based on the Holden Commodore (North America got a brief taste of the rear-wheel drive platform in the late Pontiac G8) the car uses the same 435-horsepower, 6.2-liter LS3 V8 as regular GTS models but adds some unique touches.
What's more, there will be just 125 built for Australia, with another 15 earmarked for neighboring New Zealand. It will wear its own 20-inch forged wheels, however, covered in a Satin Graphite finish, and hiding six-piston front brakes. The wheels are said to save an impressive total of unsprung 48.5lbs compared to the regular GTS' rollers. The visual cues also include Vector hood scoops and side vents, along with the badges that mark the car's anniversary-celebrating status.
The car is otherwise fully-loaded, sporting the magnetic ride control suspension, navigation system, Bluetooth connection, blind-spot monitoring system, a dual-mode exhaust, reverse camera, and more. The Enhanced Driver Interface system records lap times, G-forces, as well as power and torque levels.
One noteworthy option includes the Liquid Propane Injection system that lets drivers switch to much-cheaper propane when all the performance of the big V8 isn't needed.
Available colors include yellow, black, red, or white silver. Pricing hasn't been revealed, however.
