The HSV W427 was unveiled in 2008 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Holden Special Vehicles. It was the most powerful and exclusive HSV sedan ever built at the time. Based on the E Series Commodore platform, the W427 was fitted with the legendary 7.0L LS7 V8 engine from the Chevrolet Corvette Z06, producing 375 kW (503 hp) and 640 Nm of torque. Named after its engine displacement (427 cubic inches), the W427 featured a Tremec 6-speed manual gearbox, massive brakes, a bi-modal exhaust, and unique body styling. Only around 137 units were produced, making it one of the rarest HSVs ever. The W427 is remembered as a halo car that showcased HSV’s engineering at its absolute peak.
25 Questions about HSV W427
- In what year was the HSV W427 first introduced?
- Why was the HSV W427 created?
- What does the “427” in W427 stand for?
- What engine powered the HSV W427?
- How much horsepower and torque did the W427 produce?
- What transmission was fitted to the HSV W427?
- How many W427 units were built in total?
- What was the retail price of the HSV W427 when new?
- How did the HSV W427 differ visually from the E Series GTS?
- What braking system upgrades were fitted to the W427?
- What suspension setup was used in the HSV W427?
- How fast could the HSV W427 accelerate from 0–100 km/h?
- What was the top speed of the HSV W427?
- Did the HSV W427 feature a bi-modal exhaust system?
- How much heavier was the W427 compared to the standard GTS?
- Was the HSV W427 exported outside of Australia?
- How was the HSV W427 received by motoring journalists?
- Which rival cars competed with the HSV W427 at launch?
- Did HSV release any special editions of the W427?
- Why is the HSV W427 considered a “halo car” for HSV?
- How collectible is the HSV W427 today?
- What role did the HSV W427 play in HSV’s 20th anniversary celebrations?
- How does the HSV W427 compare to the later Gen-F2 GTSR W1?
- What challenges did HSV face in building the W427?
- What legacy did the HSV W427 leave in Australian performance car history?