Review: HSV VT ClubSport (1997-00)

HSV VT.I ClubSport (1997-99)

Overview

Released in September 1997, the HSV VT Series I (VT.I) ClubSport was a large, rear-wheel drive sedan. Manufactured in Elizabeth, South Australia, and finished by HSV in Clayton, Victoria, the VT.I ClubSport was powered by a 5.0-litre V8 petrol engine that was mated to either a five-speed Getrag manual or four-speed 4L60-E automatic transmission.

V8 engine

As with the VS ClubSport , the 5.0-litre pushrod V8 engine had a 101.6 mm bore, 77.8 mm stroke and two valves per cylinder, though sequential fuel injection was introduced and the compression ratio was increased to 8.8:1 (previously 8.4:1).

Dimensions and suspension

Based on the Holden VT Commodore , the VT ClubSport had an all-new chassis and, compared to the VS ClubSport , was 58 mm longer (at 4919 mm), 48 mm wider (1842 mm), 47 mm taller (1450 mm) and had a 57 mm longer wheelbase (2788 mm). As before, however, the VT ClubSport had MacPherson strut front suspension and independent rear suspension with semi-trailing arms.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the VT ClubSport included driver’s airbag, ABS and front seatbelt pretensioners.

Brakes

The VT ClubSport had 296 mm by 28 mm ventilated front discs with twin piston calipers and 286 mm by 16 mm solid rear discs with single piston calipers.

Features

Standard features for the ClubSport included 17-inch five-spoke alloy wheels with 235/40 ZR17 Bridgestone tyres, a six speaker sound system with CD player, air conditioning, power adjustable driver’s seat, cruise control, front fog lights, leather-wrapped steering wheel, remote central locking, power windows and mirrors, a trip computer and an immobiliser.

The ClubSport was also fitted with a limited slip differential.

1998 ClubSport 10th Anniversary edition

In September 1998, a limited-run 10th Anniversary edition ClubSport was released.

HSV VT.II ClubSport (1999-00)

Overview

Released in June 1999, the VT Series II (VT.II) ClubSport introduced the 5.7-litre LS1 V8 engine and T56 six-speed manual transmission. Furthermore, the ClubSport range was expanded with the introduction of an R8 variant which was fitted HSV’s ‘Performance Suspension’ – including ‘Performance’ rated springs, dampers and anti-roll bars – and an upgraded braking package.

Compared to its VT.I predecessor, the VT.II ClubSport could be identified by its clear rear indicator lenses and side repeater lights. Inside, there were new seat fabrics (in Heartbeat Red, C5 Blue and Firebird Yellow colours depending on the exterior paint finish) and silver surrounds for the instrument panel.

LS1 V8 engine

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, a compression ratio of 10.0:1 and a 6000 rpm redline. For the HSV range, there was also a 57 mm stainless steel big bore extractor exhaust system which fed into 1.8-litre low back-pressure catalytic converters and low-restriction HSV mufflers. 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’s aluminium cylinder block assembly weighed 48.85 kg, resulting in a 40 kg weight saving relative to its cast-iron predecessor.

Safety equipment

Compared to its VT.I predecessor, standard safety equipment for the VT.II ClubSport was improved with traction control fitted as standard for models with automatic transmissions.

Brakes

The ClubSport R8 had an upgraded braking package with 330 mm by 32 mm ventilated front discs and 315 mm by 18 mm ventilated rear discs.

Features

Standard features for the VT.II ClubSport were largely unchanged.

The ClubSport R8, however, was fitted 18-inch alloy wheels (based on the VT.I GTS and finished in ‘Thunderbird Silver’), 235/40 ZR18 S02 Bridgestone tyres and had fully-contoured ‘Performance’ front seats. The ClubSport R8 was also fitted with HSV’s ‘Performance’ suspension settings.

2000 ClubSport Grant Hackett editions

In August 2000, Grant Hackett editions were released of the ClubSport and ClubSport R8; these models could be identified by their gold-painted alloy wheels and were fitted with power-operated sunroofs as standard.

Related links

• Holden Special Vehicles: HSV VT ClubSport
• Wikipedia.org: Holden VT Commodore – HSV
• Wikipedia.org: HSV – VT