- Responsive 5.0-litre V8 petrol engine
- Spacious interior
- Comfortable front seats
- Four-speed automatic transmission provides clunky downshifts
- Below average interior fit and finish
Overview
Released in August 1993, the HSV VR ClubSport was available as a large sedan or wagon. Manufactured in Elizabeth, South Australia, and finished by HSV in Notting Hill, Victoria, the rear-wheel drive ClubSport was based on the Holden VR Commodore and powered by a 5.0-litre V8 petrol engine that was mated to either a four-speed automatic or five-speed manual transmission.
The VR ClubSport was the first ClubSport to be offered as a wagon, though only 77 wagons were produced compared to 1117 sedans. In December 1994, HSV relocated its operations from Notting Hill to Clayton, Victoria.
V8 engine
The 5.0-litre pushrod V8 engine had a 101.6 mm bore, 77.8 mm stroke, two valves per cylinder and a compression ratio of 8.4:1. For the VR ClubSport, however, the engine had a recalibrated GM-Delco engine management system, Bosch electronic ignition, a new cold air intake and revised exhaust headers (for reduced back pressure).
Dimensions and suspension
Compared to the VP ClubSport , the VR ClubSport sedan was 4 mm shorter (at 4861 mm), 18 mm narrower (1794 mm) and 45 mm taller (1448 mm), though wheelbase length was unchanged (2731 mm). Relative to the sedan, however, the VR ClubSport wagon was 42 mm longer (at 4903 mm), 30 mm taller (1478 mm) and had a 91 mm longer wheelbase (2822 mm).
The VR ClubSport sedan had MacPherson strut front suspension and independent rear suspension with semi-trailing arms; wagons, however, had a live rear axle.
| Body | Engine | Trans. | Peak power | Peak torque | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ClubSport | Sedan, wagon |
5.0-litre petrol V8 | 5sp man., 4sp auto |
185 kW at 4800 rpm | 400 Nm at 3600 rpm |
Safety equipment
Standard safety equipment for the VR ClubSport was limited to ABS.
Brakes
The VR ClubSport had 328 mm by 28 mm vented front brake discs and 280 mm by 20 mm vented rear discs.
Features
Standard features for the VR ClubSport included alloy wheels, a four speaker sound system with a radio and cassette player, air conditioning, Glencoe front sports seats, cruise control, a three-spoke Nardi steering wheel, remote central locking, power windows, power mirrors and an alarm.
While ClubSport sedans had 17-inch alloy wheels with 235/45 ZR17 tyres, ClubSport wagons had 15-inch alloy wheels with 205/65 R15 95H tyres. Both sedans and wagons, however, were fitted with a limited slip differential.
Related links
- Holden Special Vehicles: HSV VR ClubSport
- Wikipedia.org: Holden VR Commodore – HSV
- Wikipedia.org: HSV – VR/VS
