Review: HSV VS GTS (1995-97)

HSV VS.I GTS (1995-96)

Overview

Released in April 1995, the HSV VS Series I (VS.I) GTS was a rear-wheel drive, performance sedan. Manufactured in Elizabeth, South Australia, and finished by HSV in Clayton, Victoria, the VR GTS was powered by a 5.7-litre V8 petrol engine that was available with either a six-speed Borg Warner T56 manual transmission or a four-speed Borg Warner automatic transmission.

Compared to the VR GTS , the VS GTS could be identified by its three-spoke ‘Aero’ alloy wheels, new grille and rear spoiler which included a stop-lamp. Changes for the VS GTS, however, included electronic self-levelling rear suspension and upgraded brakes.

V8 engine

The stroked 5.7-litre pushrod V8 engine had a cast-iron block, a 102 mm bore and 88 mm stroke, a Harrop crankshaft, flat-top pistons, two valves per cylinder, a cold-air intake and a compression ratio of 8.5:1.

Dimensions and suspension

Based on the Holden VS Commodore , the VS GTS was 4861 mm long, 1794 mm wide, 1420 mm tall and had a 2735 mm long wheelbase. Furthermore, the VS GTS had MacPherson strut front suspension and independent rear suspension with semi-trailing arms.

1996 HSV GTS-R

In February 1996, the GTS-R was introduced. Positioned as a street-legal race car, the GTS-R could be identified by its ‘XU-3 Yellah’ paint finish, charcoal coloured alloy wheels, carbon-fibre rear wing and other carbon-fibre elements (i.e. the lower-grille air intake, side skirt trims, rear decor panel, rear bumper highlight and centre wheel caps).

Inside, the GTS-R had a yellow-and-black colour theme and yellow stitching on the black steering wheel, centre console and gearshift; the seats and door trim inserts also featured GTS-R monograms.

Production of the GTS-R was limited to 85 vehicles of which 75 were allocated for Australia and 10 for New Zealand. For the standard GTS-R, mechanical changes for the engine were limited to the fitment of a low-restriction stainless steel exhaust system for reduced back-pressure. Approximately one third of these vehicles, however, were fitted with the ‘optimised blueprint’ engine which HRT engineers would strip and rebuild to optimised tolerances. As such, the combustion chambers would be matched, compression ratios equalised at 8.85:1, camshaft timing optimised and all reciprocating parts balanced. The engine was also rebuilt with new rings, bearings and gaskets.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the HSV VS GTS included a driver’s airbag and ABS.

Brakes

The HSV VS GTS had 328 mm by 28 mm vented front brake discs and 280 mm by 20 mm vented rear brake discs.

Features

Standard features for the HSV VS.I GTS included 17- by 8-inch alloy wheels with 235/45 ZR17 tyres, a six speaker sound system with a radio and cassette player, air conditioning, Group A front sports seats, cruise control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, remote central locking, power windows and mirrors, a trip computer and an alarm.

The GTS was also fitted with a Hydratrak viscous limited slip differential that was developed by BTR Engineering.

HSV VS.II GTS (1996-97)

Overview

Released in July 1996, the HSV VS Series II (VS.II) introduced a minor update for the GTS which was fitted with an Integrated Security System (ISS) which included an engine immobiliser. The GTS-R, however, was discontinued.

Features

Other than the ISS (described above), standard features for the VS.II GTS were largely unchanged.

Related links

• Holden Special Vehicles: HSV VS GTS
• Holden Special Vehicles: HSV VS GTS R
• Wikipedia.org: Holden VS Commodore – HSV
• Wikipedia.org: HSV – VR/VS