The HSV Barina was a performance-tuned version of the Holden Barina, produced in the late 1980s and early 1990s by Holden Special Vehicles (HSV). Based on the Suzuki Cultus/Swift platform (sold globally under different names), the Barina was a compact hatchback marketed in Australia as an affordable city car. HSV’s involvement added sportier styling, alloy wheels, suspension tweaks, and unique badging, giving the small hatch a performance-inspired character. Unlike HSV’s powerful Commodore-based muscle cars, the HSV Barina represented an experiment in expanding HSV’s lineup into the hot hatch segment. While it never reached the same cult following as HSV’s larger cars, the HSV Barina remains a rare and quirky chapter in HSV’s history, appreciated today by collectors for its uniqueness.
25 HSV Barina Car Brands Questions
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When was the HSV Barina introduced in Australia?
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What global model was the Holden Barina originally based on?
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How did the HSV Barina differ from the standard Holden Barina?
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What styling upgrades did HSV apply to the Barina?
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Why did HSV decide to create a hot hatch version of the Barina?
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What engines powered the HSV Barina?
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How did the performance of the HSV Barina compare to rivals like the Suzuki Swift GTi?
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What unique interior features were added to the HSV Barina?
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How rare are surviving examples of the HSV Barina today?
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What market segment was the HSV Barina aimed at?
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How affordable was the HSV Barina compared to other HSV models?
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How many HSV Barina units were produced?
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How was the HSV Barina received by critics and the press?
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Why is the HSV Barina considered unusual in HSV’s portfolio?
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How did the HSV Barina expand HSV’s brand beyond muscle cars?
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Which years saw production of the HSV Barina?
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What trim and badging distinguished the HSV Barina?
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How collectible is the HSV Barina today among enthusiasts?
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What challenges did HSV face marketing a performance hatchback?
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How did the HSV Barina compare to Commodore-based HSV models?
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Which markets outside Australia, if any, saw the HSV Barina?
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Why didn’t the HSV Barina achieve the same recognition as other HSV models?
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How does the HSV Barina reflect HSV’s experimentation with compact cars?
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What role did the HSV Barina play in HSV’s broader history?
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What legacy has the HSV Barina left in Australian automotive culture?