Car News Articles

While the rest of the automotive world searches for ways to produce power more efficiently, it seems HSV still subscribes to the “mine is bigger than yours” school of engine development.

Holden’s performance division has just announced a new 6.2-litre V8, replacing the old 6.0-litre engine in the current HSV range.

The new engine delivers just 3 per cent more power - and no more torque - for its additional size and is no faster in the 0-100kmh sprint than the car it replaces. Yes, it’s better to drive by all accounts, but it also makes the new HSV range among the thirstiest passenger cars on the planet.

Fuel consumption has improved slightly on some models and got worse on others. The ClubSport manual now uses 15.3 litres per 100km and the Maloo uses 15.7L/100km.

Not content with a 6.2-litre engine, HSV will shoehorn a 7.0-litre engine into its upcoming hero car, the W427. We don’t know yet what that engine’s fuel consumption will be, but we know the pricetag will be on-par with the luxury German brands.

So let’s take a look at how the 6.2-litre HSV cars compare to the rest of the world for fuel efficiency.

The 4.0-litre V8 in the BMW M3 puts out 309kW and is quicker to 100kmh than the ClubSport, but uses just 12.4L/100km. To put that in perspective, the ClubSport uses 23 per cent more fuel to make less than 3 per cent more power – and it’s slower.

The Mercedes-Benz C63 has the same size engine as the HSV but puts out 336kW and uses just 13.5L/100km.

Meanwhile, the Lexus LS600h engine produces 327kW and uses just 9.3L/100km. Yes, all these engines belong to cars that cost at least twice as much as the ClubSport but if you think I’m being unfair comparing Holden with the world’s latest and greatest engines, let’s look closer to home.

Ford’s 4.0-litre XR6 turbo engine puts out 270kW of power and uses 11.7L/100km. That means the ClubSport uses 30 per cent more fuel for 17 per cent more power. And by Drive’s stopwatch, the turbo Falcon is quicker.

HSV boss Scott Grant says the company is evaluating hybrid and diesel solutions for the range, but admits he is “nowhere near” confirming the direction in which the company will go.

He also points to the fact that the fuel crisis has done nothing to dampen Australian’s appetite for V8 Holdens and he’s right – HSV’s order books have never looked better.

Don’t get me wrong, there are few greater pleasures in the world than flooring the accelerator on a hot Holden V8, but isn’t it time the Lion tamed its thirst for our dwindling oil reserves?

Richard Blackburn