- Powerful 5.7-litre stroked and C4B V8 engines
- Spacious interior and supportive seats
- Impressive dynamics
- Suspension lacks compliance
- Tremec T56 manual transmission has sloppy action
- Four-speed automatic transmission provides clunky downshifts
- Steering lacks feel
HSV VT.I GTS 1997-00)
Overview
Released in September 1997, the HSV VT Series I (VT.I) GTS was a rear-wheel drive, performance sedan. Manufactured in Elizabeth, South Australia, and finished by HSV in Clayton, Victoria, the VT.I GTS was powered by 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. For the VT GTS, the T56 transmission had a new shift action and an upgraded clutch.
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 VT Commodore , the VT GTS had an all-new chassis and, compared to the VS GTS , the VT GTS was 58 mm longer (at 4919 mm), 48 mm wider (1842 mm), 30 mm taller (1450 mm) and had a 53 mm longer wheelbase (2788 mm). As before, however, the VT.I GTS had MacPherson strut front suspension and independent rear suspension with semi-trailing arms.
| Engine | Trans. | Peak power | Peak torque | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GTS | 5.7-litre petrol V8 | 6sp man., 4sp auto |
220 kW at 4800 rpm | 475 Nm at 3600 rpm |
Safety equipment
Standard safety equipment for the VT.I GTS included dual front airbags, ABS and front seatbelt pretensioners.
Brakes
The VT.I GTS had 330 mm by 32 mm ventilated front discs with twin piston calipers and 315 mm by 18 mm ventilated rear discs with single piston calipers.
Features
Standard features for the VT.I GTS included 18-inch five-spoke alloy wheels with 235/40 ZR18 Bridgestone Expedia S03 tyres, a six speaker sound system with CD player, air conditioning, contoured front sports seats with four-way power adjustment, cruise control, front fog lights, leather-wrapped steering wheel, remote central locking, power windows and mirrors, a trip computer and an immobiliser.
The GTS was also fitted with a limited slip rear differential.
HSV VT.II GTS (2000)
Overview
Released in March 2000, the VT Series II (VT.II) GTS was powered by the 5.7-litre Callaway-developed C4B engine which was solely available with a heavy-duty six-speed T56 manual transmission. Other changes for the VT.II GTS included in the introduction of toe control links for the rear suspension – to reduce camber changes over uneven surfaces – and the return of the Hydratrak limited-slip rear differential which used a cartridge-type fluid coupling to progressively increase torque (when accelerating) to the rear wheel with traction.
C4B engine
The aluminium 5.7-litre C4B pushrod V8 engine had a 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, a high-volume exhaust system and a compression ratio of 9.95:1.
| Engine | Trans. | Peak power | Peak torque | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GTS | 5.7-litre LS1 C4B petrol V8 | 6sp man., 4sp auto |
300 kW at 6000 rpm | 510 Nm at 4800 rpm |
Safety equipment
Compared to its VT.I predecessor, standard safety equipment for the VT.II GTS was extended to include front side airbags and traction control.
The VT.II GTS had an upgraded braking package with 343 mm by 32 mm front and 315 mm by 18 mm rear cross-drilled discs with four-piston calipers (front and rear).
Features
Standard features for the VT.II GTS were extended to include an eight speaker sound system with a ten-disc CD changer and leather trim.
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