The HSV GTS-R nameplate is one of the most legendary in Australian performance car history. The first GTS-R was launched in 1996, based on the VS Commodore, and was instantly recognizable with its striking “XU-3 Yellah” paint, unique body kit, and limited production of just 85 units. It became an instant collectible and symbolized HSV’s motorsport-inspired engineering. The name was revived in 2017 during the final days of Australian car manufacturing, with the Gen-F2 GTSR and the ultimate GTSR W1. The latter was powered by the LS9 6.2L supercharged V8 from the Corvette ZR1, making it the most powerful production car ever built in Australia. The GTS-R badge therefore represents the pinnacle of HSV’s performance legacy, bridging the raw 1990s muscle era with the supercharged technology of the modern age.
25 Questions about HSV GTS-R
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In what year was the original HSV GTS-R introduced?
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How many units of the VS GTS-R were produced?
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What color was the 1996 HSV GTS-R famously painted in?
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What engine powered the VS GTS-R?
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How did the VS GTS-R differ visually from the standard GTS?
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Was the VS GTS-R intended as a homologation or collector’s car?
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How was the HSV GTS-R received by Australian motoring journalists in the 1990s?
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When did HSV revive the GTS-R badge after the VS series?
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What engine powered the Gen-F2 GTSR W1?
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How much horsepower did the LS9 engine in the GTSR W1 produce?
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Why is the GTSR W1 considered the most powerful Australian production car?
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How many HSV GTSR W1 units were built?
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What was the retail price of the GTSR W1 at launch?
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How did the Gen-F2 GTSR differ from the regular Gen-F2 GTS?
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What unique styling features set the GTSR models apart?
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What transmission was fitted to the GTSR W1?
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Which rival performance cars competed with the GTSR W1 in Australia?
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How fast could the GTSR W1 accelerate from 0–100 km/h?
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What was the top speed of the GTSR W1?
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Was the GTS-R ever exported internationally?
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Why is the GTS-R badge so significant in HSV’s history?
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How collectible is the original VS GTS-R compared to the GTSR W1?
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Did HSV release any other special editions under the GTS-R badge?
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What role did the GTS-R play in marking the end of Australian car manufacturing?
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What legacy has the HSV GTS-R left for Australian muscle cars worldwide?