CHEVROLET CSV
On display at The
Johannesburg International Motor Show
and of interest to muscle car enthusiasts around the globe is the limited edition Chevrolet W427, produced by Holden Special Vehicles in Australia.
Released just two months ago in Australia the W427 has a price tag of 155,000 AUD (Around R1,1 million before import costs, duties and VAT) making it the most expensive Australian production supercar ever. Based on the Chevrolet Commodore, the W427 has a 375 kW, Chevrolet LS7 7.0 litre V8 engine. The same power plant used in the Corvette Z06 but with specific adaptations for its use in the W427.
Every W427 is built by hand by HSV (Holden Special Vehicles), GM Holden’s in-house specialist tuner. HSV’s owner and founder Tom Walkinshaw has confirmed the power output figure for the W427 as 375kW @ 6500 rpm with 640Nm of torque @ 5000 rpm coming from the 7.0-liter LS7 V8 engine.
The W427 rides on 20 inch wheels, 8 inches wide at the front fitted with 245/35 R20 95Y tyres and 9,5 inches wide at the rear fitted with 275/30 R20 97Y tyres. Its road presence is enhanced thanks to an exclusive front fascia, and the 3-piece rear spoiler made of carbon fibre. Red is the colour for the car’s interior. It has HSV E series performance seats in red hot trim with W427 logo plus HSV steering wheel, gear shifter and console lid all draped in red leather.
Released for sale in August of this year the W427 is already a sell out success in Australia with all 90 vehicles planned for production in 2008 pre-sold. Just six of these specials are built each week.
Race-bred LS7 powerplant
One of the reasons for the limited production is the car’s exclusive powerplant. Residing under the bonnet of the W427 is the same high-performance 7.0-litre LS7 V8 engine that powers the Chevrolet Corvette Z06. Like much of the W427, the LS7 engine is hand built by the General Motors Performance Build Centre in North America and is then shipped over to HSV’s Clayton production facility.
Based on the Gen IV V8 engine architecture, the LS7 has forged titanium connecting rods, as well as titanium intake valves and sodium-filled exhaust valves. This allows the engine to rev freely to 7,000rpm, and makes it one of the highest-revving production pushrod V8 engines in the world.
With 375kW and 640Nm on tap, the W427 is expected to be capable of 0-100km/h sprint in around 4.7 seconds.
Performance with safety to match
In keeping with its all-around performance image the W427 comes with a comprehensive list of safety features including a six-piston front braking system and oversized brake pads. The car also has an upgraded electronic stability program, six air bags and Magnetic Ride Control suspension set-up.
Also standard is full airbag protection with front, side, and curtain side airbags. A full suite of advanced electronic driver aids assists the driver in keeping the W427 pointed in the right direction.
Other features include a high strength limited slip differential and a reinforced Tremec TR6060 six speed manual gear box.
