HSV E-Series I ClubSport (2006-09)

Overview

Released in August 2006, the HSV E-Series I (E-I) ClubSport R8 was initially available as a performance sedan. Manufactured in Elizabeth, South Australia, and finished by HSV in Clayton, Victoria, the rear-wheel drive E-Series ClubSport R8 was initially powered by a 6.0-litre LS2 V8 petrol engine that was mated to either a six-speed Tremec T56 manual or six-speed 6L80E automatic transmission. In April 2008, however, the LS2 engine was replaced by the more powerful 6.2-litre LS3 unit and, in October 2008, the Tremec T56 six-speed manual transmission was replaced by the TR6060 unit. In December 2008, the ClubSport R8 Tourer (wagon) was released.

LS2 and LS3 V8 engines

The all-aluminium, Generation IV 6.0-litre LS2 pushrod V8 engine had a 101.6 mm bore, 92.0 mm stroke, flat-topped pistons, cast-steel roller rocker arms, roller cam followers, coil pack ignition, two valves per cylinder and a compression ratio of 10.9:1; maximum engine speed was 6500 mm. Although calibrated to run on 95 RON premium unleaded petrol (PULP), the LS2 engine could also run on 91 RON unleaded petrol with a small loss in power. For the E-Series, the LS2 engine introduced a recalibrated engine control module (with a ‘limp home’ mode) and new tubular extractors which fed into a twin-exhaust system with four outlet pipes. With the LS2 engine, the E-Series ClubSport could accelerate from rest to 100 km/h in 4.96 seconds with the manual transmission and 5.04 seconds with the automatic transmission.

Compared to the LS2 engine , the 6.2-litre LS3 V8 engine had a 103.25 mm bore (stroke was unchanged at 92.0 mm), a stronger block, higher-flow cylinder heads and injectors, hollow-stem intake valves, new pistons, a more aggressive camshaft with 14.0 mm lift, a new intake manifold and a lower compression ratio of 10.7:1. As a result of the LS3’s introduction, the six-speed automatic transmission was also recalibrated for faster gearshifts.

Dimensions

Compared to the Z-Series ClubSport , the E-Series ClubSport sedan was 37 mm shorter (at 4943 mm), 57 mm wider (1899 mm), 17 mm taller (1467 mm) and had a 127 mm longer wheelbase (2915 mm).

Suspension

The E-Series ClubSport had MacPherson strut front suspension and independent, four-link rear suspension.

HSV E-Series I ClubSport specifications
	Year	Body	Engine	Trans.	Peak power	Peak torque
ClubSport R8	2006-08	Sedan	6.0-litre LS2 petrol V8	6sp man., 6sp auto	307 kW at 6000 rpm	550 Nm at 4400 rpm
ClubSport R8	2008-09	Sedan or wagon	6.2-litre LS3 petrol V8	6sp man., 6sp auto	317 kW at 6000 rpm	550 Nm at 4600 rpm

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the E-Series ClubSport included dual front airbags, front side airbags, full-length curtain airbags, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control, active front seat head restraints and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters.

Brakes

The VE ClubSport had 365 mm by 26 mm front and 350 mm by 26 mm rear ventilated and grooved brake discs with four-piston AP Racing calipers (front and rear).

Features

Standard features for the ClubSport R8 sedan included 19-inch alloy wheels with 245/40 R19 front and 275/35 R19 rear tyres, an eleven speaker 230 watt sound system with six-disc CD player and MP3-compatibility, a 6.5-inch colour display, dual zone climate control air conditioning, power adjustable front seats, cruise control with speed alert, Bluetooth connectivity, front fog lights, automatic headlights, a flat-bottomed three-spoke steering wheel, remote central locking, power windows and mirrors, tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustment, a trip computer and an immobiliser. The ClubSport was also fitted with a limited slip differential.

The ClubSport Tourer, however, was fitted with a nine speaker sound system, a reversing camera, rear parking sensors, 60/40 split and flat folding rear seats, a retractable cargo cover and cargo net.

2007 ClubSport R8 20th Anniversary

In October 2007, a limited-run 20th Anniversary edition of the ClubSport R8 sedan was released; it was distinguished by its leather ‘Performance’ seats with ’20th Anniversary’ logos, ‘chrome shadow’ alloy wheels, black and gold painted brake calipers, ’20th Anniversary’ sill plates, GTS matt black accents and ‘Sandstorm’ paint finish.

HSV E-Series II ClubSport (2009-10)