Review: HSV V2 Coupe (2001-04)

HSV V2.I Coupe (2001-03)

Overview

Released in December 2001, the HSV V2 Series I (V2.I) Coupe was a rear-wheel drive, performance coupe (the all-wheel drive V2 Coupe 4 has been reviewed separately). Manufactured in Elizabeth, South Australia, and finished by HSV in Clayton, Victoria, the Coupe range initially consisted of the GTO and GTS variants.

LS1 and C4B V8 engines

Of the engines,

• For the GTO Coupe, the all-aluminium 5.7-litre LS1 pushrod V8 engine had a 99 mm bore, 92 mm stroke, flat-topped pistons, two valves per cylinder and a compression ratio of 10.0:1. For the VX ClubSport, the engine was fitted with a redesigned inlet manifold, fuel injectors and reprogrammed engine management software for a flatter torque curve. Although calibrated to run on 95 RON premium unleaded petrol (PULP), the LS1 engine could also run on 91 RON unleaded petrol with a small loss in power. The LS1 engine was available with  either a six-speed T56 manual or four-speed 4L60-E automatic transmission; and,
• For the GTS Coupe, the Callaway-developed 5.7-litre C4B pushrod V8 engine was distinguished by its big bore CNC billet-machined throttle body, cast steel roller rocker arms, roller cam followers, titanium valve spring retainers, stainless steel valves, CNC-ported heads, high-volume exhaust system and 9.95:1 compression ratio. The C4B engine was solely available with a heavy-duty T56 six-speed manual transmission.

Dimensions and suspension

Based on the Holden V2 Monaro , the GTO and GTS Coupes were 4789 mm long, 1841 mm wide, 1397 mm tall and had 2788 mm long wheelbases. Furthermore, the GTO and GTS Coupes had MacPherson strut front suspension and independent rear suspension with semi-trailing arms.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the GTO and GTS Coupe included dual front airbags, front side airbags, ABS, traction control and front seatbelt pretensioners.

Brakes

The GTO Coupe had ventilated and grooved 330 mm front brake discs and 315 mm rear discs, both fitted with two-piston PBR calipers. The GTS Coupe, however, had grooved, cross-drilled and ventilated 362 mm front brake discs with six-piston calipers and 343 mm rear discs with four-piston calipers.

Features

Standard features for the GTO Coupe included 18-inch alloy wheels, an eight speaker Blaupunkt sound system with a 10-disc CD changer, dual-zone climate control air conditioning, contoured black leather sports seats, eight-way power adjustable front seats, driver’s seat memory settings, cruise control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, automatic headlights, remote central locking, power mirrors and windows, a height and reach adjustable steering wheel, trip computer, luggage net, an alarm and immobiliser. The GTO Coupe was also fitted with a limited slip rear differential.

Beyond this, the GTS Coupe was further equipped with 19-inch alloy wheels with Pirelli P-Zero tyres, HSV’s ‘Performance’ suspension package, black/silver ‘Bridge of Weir chainmail’ leather seats and rear parking sensors; the GTS Coupe was also fitted with a Hydratrak rear differential.

Related links

• Holden Special Vehicles: HSV V2.I GTO Coupe
• Holden Special Vehicles: HSV V2.I GTS Coupe

HSV V2.II Coupe (2003)

Overview

Released in March 2003, the V2 Series II (V2.II) Coupe introduced a ‘torque-enhanced’ four-speed THM 4L60-E automatic transmission for the GTS Coupe.

Features

Compared to their V2.I predecessors, standard features were revised to include a six-disc in-dash CD player (previously a ten-disc changer).

HSV V2.III Coupe (2003-04)

Overview

The V2 Series III (V2.III) Coupe was released in September 2003 with LE editions of the GTO Coupe, though the standard V2.III GTO Coupe and GTS Coupe were not released until February 2004. As part of the update, the LS1 engine for the GTO Coupe received a power upgrade and the 4L60E four-speed automatic transmission was also replaced by the heavy-duty 4L65E unit.

To achieve the 25 kW and 35 Nm increases in peak power and torque for the LS1 engine, changes were made to the intake, extractors and engine calibration. Specifically,

• the lower air box was redesigned with a bigger opening and the ‘zip’ tube (which directed air into the air box) had its ‘bellows’ section replaced with a tube that had less airflow resistance; and,
• new primary 44 mm pipes (previously 41 mm) were matched to the exhaust ports, the four-into-one collectors were redesigned and a 63 mm down pipe was introduced (previously 57 mm).

Safety equipment

Compared to their predecessors, standard safety equipment for the V2.III Coupes was extended to include active front seat head restraints.

GTO Coupe LE

Compared to the standard GTO, the GTO Coupe LE added 19-inch ‘Signature’ five-spoke alloy wheels with Pirelli P-Zero tyres, Senator-style interior trim package in anthracite, a power sunroof and roof spoiler. Limited to a production run of 100 vehicles, the GTO LE was available in ‘Turbine Grey’ or ‘Quicksilver’ paint finishes.

Brochure

• Brochure: HSV V2.III Coupe (September 2003)

Related links

• Holden Special Vehicles: HSV V2.III GTO Coupe
• Holden Special Vehicles: HSV V2.III GTS Coupe
• Holden Special Vehicles: HSV V2.III GTO Coupe LE
• Press Release: HSV Y Series II and V2 III Coupe (September 2003)
• Wikipedia.org: Holden Monaro – V2
• Wikipedia.org: HSV – VX/VU