Review: HSV Gen-F ClubSport (2013-17)

Review: HSV Gen-F ClubSport (2013-15)

Overview

HSV Gen-F ClubSport and ClubSport Tourer were performance sedans and wagons, respectively. Manufactured in Elizabeth, South Australia, and finished in Clayton, Victoria, Gen-F ClubSports were powered by 6.2-litre LS3 V8 petrol engines that were mated to six-speed TR6060 manual or 6L80 automatic transmissions.

LS3 V8 engine

Shared with the E-Series ClubSport , the all-aluminium ‘Generation IV’ 6.2-litre LS3 pushrod V8 engine had a 103.25 mm bore and 92.0 mm stroke, flat-topped pistons, cast-steel roller rocker arms, roller cam followers, coil pack ignition, two valves per cylinder, hollow-stem intake valves, twin knock control sensors, distributorless ignition and a compression ratio of 10.7:1.

While the ClubSport engine initially produced 317 kW, the ClubSport R8 engine produced 325 kW due to its high-flow exhaust system which included X-pipe intermediate and bi-modal mufflers. Furthermore, an optional ‘SV Enhanced’ package was available which included a bi-modal air intake, high flow inlet tube and high flow headers.

With the release of the ‘MY15’ ClubSport in November 2014,

• The standard ClubSport was fitted with the high-flow exhaust system previously reserved for the ClubSport R8; and,
• The ClubSport R8 was fitted with the SV Enhanced package as standard.

Dimensions

Sharing its Zeta architecture with its E-Series predecessor, the Gen-F ClubSport sedan was 4943 mm long, 1899 mm wide, 1467 mm tall and had a 2915 mm long wheelbase, the ClubSport Tourer was 49 mm shorter (at 4894 mm) and 9 mm taller (1476 mm).

To achieve a mass reduction of around 30 kg relative to its predecessor, the Gen-F ClubSport had aluminium bonnet and boot panels. Electric power-assisted steering was also introduced to further reduce fuel consumption.

Suspension

The Gen-F ClubSport had double-pivot MacPherson strut front suspension and independent, four-link rear suspension.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the Gen-F ClubSport included dual front airbags, front side airbags, full-length curtain airbags, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control, Side Blind Zone Alert, Reverse Traffic Alert and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters. The R8 variants were further equipped with Forward Collision Warning and Lane Departure Warning systems.

Brakes

The Gen-F ClubSport had 367 mm by 32 mm front disc brakes and 367 mm by 28 mm rear discs with forged four-piston calipers front and rear.

Features

Standard features for the ClubSport included 20-inch alloy wheels with 255/35 R20 front and 275/35 R20 Continental 5P tyres, an eight speaker sound system (though six speakers for Tourers) with a CD/DVD player, MP3-compatibility, auxiliary inputs (3.5 mm/USB/iPod) and Bluetooth connectivity, dual-zone climate control air conditioning, satellite navigation with an eight-inch colour touch screen display, HSV sports seats with cloth trim, a power adjustable driver’s seat, cruise control, daytime running lights, automatic headlights, front and rear parking sensors, a reversing camera, leather-wrapped steering wheel, remote central locking with proximity key, push-button start, power windows and mirrors, a height and reach adjustable steering wheel, 12 volt power outlet, an electric park brake, an alarm and immobiliser. The ClubSport was also fitted with a limited slip rear differential as standard.

The ClubSport also featured an ‘Auto Park Assist’ function which enabled the vehicle to steer into parallel and 90-degree angle parks while the driver operated the accelerator and brake pedals. Models fitted with automatic transmissions also had a remote engine start function which could be operated via the key fob.

Compared to the standard ClubSport, the ClubSport R8 was further equipped with a nine speaker Bose sound system (sedans only), HSV Performance seats with leather trim, eight-way power adjustable front seats, an Enhanced Driver Interface, head-up display and rain-sensing wipers.

ClubSport SV Enhanced

In addition to the engine power boost, the extra-cost SV Enhanced option pack included 20-inch ‘SV Performance’ forged alloy wheels with a Satin Graphite finish and unique interior and exterior accents. For the ClubSport R8 sedan, the SV Enhanced pack also included a Satin Graphite spoiler.

November 2014 (MY15): ClubSport update

With the release of the MY15 ClubSport in November 2014,

• Models with automatic transmissions were fitted with steering wheel gearshift paddles;
• The 20-inch alloy wheels for the ClubSport R8 featured a ‘Tornado Grey’ finish;
• A new Hyperflow rear spoiler was available as an extra-cost option;
• An optional ‘Pitch Black’ styling package was introduced which included black accents for the fender vents, casings and rear spoiler (sedans) or tailgate appliqu� (Tourers); and,
• New ‘Jungle Green’ and ‘Some Like It Hot Red’ paint finishes were introduced (replacing ‘Karma’ and ‘Fantale’).

ClubSport R8 25th Anniversary

Production of the ClubSport R8 25th Anniversary commenced in July 2015, with production limited to 108 vehicles (100 for Australia and eight for New Zealand). The ClubSport R8 25th Anniversary edition was distinguished by its 20-inch SV Rapier forged alloy wheels with a gloss black finish, Hyperflow Performance rear spoiler, ‘pitch black’ exterior accents for the fender vents and mirror scalps, and quad exhaust outlets with shadow-chrome tips. The ClubSport R8 25th Anniversary edition was available in Heron, Phantom, Sting and Nitrate paint finishes.

Inside, the ClubSport R8 25th Anniversary had a uniquely branded sill plate, ID plate and EDI start-up screen.

Brochures

• Brochure: HSV Gen-F ClubSport (July 2013)
• Brochure: HSV Gen-F ClubSport Tourer (July 2013)

Related links

• HSV Press: HSV Announces Australian Pricing For New Gen-F Range (May 2013)
• HSV Press: HSV Launches New Gen-F Range (May 2013)
• HSV Press: HSV Launches New ClubSport Range (May 2013)

HSV Gen-F2 ClubSport (2015-17)

Overview

Commencing production in early October 2015, the HSV Gen-F2 ClubSport was available with GM’s 6.2-litre supercharged LSA V8 engine. While priority was initially given to LSA-powered production, supply of the LS3-powered Gen-F2 ClubSport commenced in the first quarter of 2016.

Identification

From the front, the ClubSport R8 LSA could be identified by its redesigned front fascia with subtle ‘splitter’ and pitch black bonnet vents. In profile, the ClubSport R8 LSA had new five-spoke alloy wheels, pitch black door mirror scalps and fender vents, and new contoured side skirts. At the rear, the Lo-line spoiler was finished in Satin Graphite, while other changes included a redesigned rear ‘diffuser’ and the addition of ‘LSA’ badging to the deck-lid. The ClubSport R8 Tourer LSA also received a pitch black rear appliqué, revised LED tail-lights and ‘LSA’ badging. A new ‘vibrant ocean blue’ paint finish named Slipstream was also introduced.

LSA powertrain and suspension

The 6.2-litre LSA pushrod V8 engine has a 103.25 mm bore and 92.0 mm stroke, a cast aluminium cylinder block and head, a sixth-generation Eaton Roots-type supercharger (with four-lobe rotors, a capacity of 1.9-litres and peak boost of 9 psi), a single brick intercooler, hypereutectic pistons and a compression ratio of 9.0:1.

For the LSA engine, the Tremec TR-6060 ‘MG9’ manual transmission featured a dual-mass flywheel, twin-plate clutch and triple synchros. Compared to the standard TR-6060 transmissions used in HSV’s Gen-F range, the MG9 transmission had a strengthened output shaft, high-strength rear housing and an additional roller bearing to cope with the high torque outputs. Similarly, the 6L90E automatic transmission had a strengthened input gearset with two additional pinion gears, an additional clutch plate and a strengthened output shaft and gearset.

For HSV Gen-F2 models fitted with the LSA engine, the suspension had stiffer spring and damper rates to reduce body roll and improve corner-entry response. Furthermore, a unique rear suspension module included a 9.9-inch differential, upgraded drive shaft and upgraded prop shafts.

Features

For the Gen-F2 ClubSport, the auxiliary gauges at the base of the centre stack were discontinued to improve storage space, while HSV’s ‘Enhanced Driver Interface’ (EDI) was available as extra-cost option.

2016 ClubSport R8 SV Black

In June 2016, HSV commenced production of its final run of LS3-powered vehicles. The HSV ClubSport R8 SV Black was released as part of this run and could be identified by its 20-inch ‘Satin Black’ alloy wheels, black AP Racing four-piston brake calipers, pitch black fender vents and mirror scalps, black door surrounds and lower door accents, shadow-chrome exhaust tips, black badging and ‘Satin Graphite Lo-Line’ spoiler. Inside, the HSV ClubSport R8 SV Black featured leather-clad sports bucket seats and unique sill and ID plates.

Production of the 2016 ClubSport R8 SV Black was limited to 368 vehicles: 350 for Australia and 18 for New Zealand.

2016 ClubSport R8 Track Edition

Commencing production in June 2016 as part of HSV’s final run of LS3-powered vehicles, the HSV ClubSport R8 Track Edition could be identified by its 20-inch ‘Blade’ forged alloy wheels, yellow AP Racing six-piston brake calipers and Hyperflow Performance spoiler. The suspension for the ClubSport R8 Track Edition was also revised with stiffer spring and damper rates.

Inside, the ClubSport R8 Track Edition featured leather-clad sports bucket seats, a suede-covered sports steering wheel and unique ID and sill plates. Production of the ClubSport R8 Track Edition was limited to 156 vehicles: 150 for Australia and six for New Zealand.

2017 HSV Gen-F2 ClubSport R8 30 Years Anniversary

Production of the HSV Gen-F2 ClubSport R8 and ClubSport R8 Tourer 30 Years Anniversary models commenced in January 2017. Changes for the 30 Years Anniversary models included:

• A more powerful LSA engine (outputs increased to 410 kW and 691 Nm) with unique engine build plate; and,
• A modified bi-modal exhaust system in which the exhaust valve control was recalibrated to open earlier in the rev range.

Visually, the HSV Gen-F2 ClubSport R8 and ClubSport R8 Tourer 30 Years Anniversary could be identified by their’30 Years’ fender badges, ’30 Years’ sill plates, ’30 Years’ rear window sticker (excluding ClubSport R8 Tourer LSA) and ’30 Years’ floor mats. Furthermore, the HSV Gen-F2 ClubSport R8 and ClubSport R8 Tourer 30 Years Anniversary had matte black accenting on their alloy wheels; as an option, 20 x 9.0J front and 20 x 10.0J rear ‘SV Rimfire’ five-spoke forged alloy wheels were also available.

As standard, the HSV Gen-F2 ClubSport R8 and ClubSport R8 Tourer 30 Years Anniversary were equipped with a torque vectoring system. Previously introduced on the HSV Gen-F GTS, HSV’s brake torque vectoring reduced understeer by generating a ‘rotational moment’ in the rear axle during acceleration. Specifically, the ESC system detected understeer and applied the brake to the inner rear wheel to transfer torque to the outer rear wheel.

As an extra-cost option, the HSV Gen-F2 ClubSport R8 and ClubSport R8 Tourer 30 Years Anniversary could also be specified with an AP Racing braking package (previously limited to HSV Gen-F GTS) which consisted of 390 mm by 36 mm floating two-piece front brake discs with forged six-piston callipers and 372 mm by 28 mm rear discs with four-piston callipers.

Related links

• Brochure: HSV Gen-F2 ClubSport (September 2015)
• Holden Special Vehicles: HSV Gen-F2 ClubSport R8
• Holden Special Vehicles: HSV Gen-F2 ClubSport R8 Tourer
• Wikipedia.org: Holden VF Commodore – HSV
• Wikipedia.org: HSV – Gen F