HSV Commodore SS Group A SV
The start of a generation... Bred to win races
The Holden VL Commodore SS Group A SV was the first car produced by Holden Special Vehicles. Developed under contract to Holden, it was released in March 1988. Modifications were made to the standard Holden 5.0 litre V8 to produce 180 kW (245 PS; 241 hp) @ 5200 rpm and 380 Nm @ 4000 rpm. Best known for the polarising body kit and bluish-silver colour, the VL Group A SS was also the first model to feature a fuel-injected version of the Holden V8, with the first electronic fuel injection (EFI) VN Holden Commodore V8s not released until August 1988.
5.0L - 180kw / 380nm | 0 - 100km/h = 6.9sec | 1/4 mile = 14.95sec | Top speed = 230km/h
The SS Group A SV was produced in 1988 and was only available in one colour, Panorama Silver (named after the renowned Australian Mount Panorama Circuit). It was assembled at Dandenong, Victoria (Holden) and modified at Clayton, Victoria (HSV).
The car carried Holden badges because of Group A racing homologation regulations, which necessitated at least 500 road-going versions to be sold to the public.
TWR developed the famous Walkinshaw bodykit that was stated to reduce drag by more than 25% over the previous Holden Dealer Team SS Group A. Due to its high use of plastic in the bodykit, it was nicknamed the "Plastic Pig" and "Batmobile". Other, less derogatory nicknames included the "Walkinshaw" and the most common of all, "Walky" (after TWR's chief Tom Walkinshaw).
The car carried Holden badges because of Group A racing homologation regulations, which necessitated at least 500 road-going versions to be sold to the public.
TWR developed the famous Walkinshaw bodykit that was stated to reduce drag by more than 25% over the previous Holden Dealer Team SS Group A. Due to its high use of plastic in the bodykit, it was nicknamed the "Plastic Pig" and "Batmobile". Other, less derogatory nicknames included the "Walkinshaw" and the most common of all, "Walky" (after TWR's chief Tom Walkinshaw).
The Group A SV was made as a limited run of 500 from March to November 1988, but HSV subsequently decided to make 250 more units to meet demand. However, these were slow to sell with some examples having their appearance modified by dealers in an effort to get them out of the showrooms and others sold years after their launch. Slow sales were also impacted by Holden releasing the new generation VN-series Commodore in August 1988, though a new Group A homologation special (the VN Commodore SS Group A) would follow only in 1990.
Number Built: 500 initially, additional 250 for racing purposes
Engine: 4987 cc V8
Power: 180 kW @ 5200 rpm (241 hp)
Torque: 380 Nm @ 4000 rpm (280 ft/lb)
Tyres: 205/55 VR 16 - Bridgestone RE71
Performance as stated in various press reviews:
0-100 km/h (60 mph) 7.04, 6.9, 6.9 secs
Standing 400m (1/4 mile) 14.95, 14.8, 15.1 secs
Top Speed: 230 km/h
Engine: 4987 cc V8
Power: 180 kW @ 5200 rpm (241 hp)
Torque: 380 Nm @ 4000 rpm (280 ft/lb)
Tyres: 205/55 VR 16 - Bridgestone RE71
Performance as stated in various press reviews:
0-100 km/h (60 mph) 7.04, 6.9, 6.9 secs
Standing 400m (1/4 mile) 14.95, 14.8, 15.1 secs
Top Speed: 230 km/h
The engine, although rated at five litres and 180 kW (241 hp), was specially made to withstand racing conditions. The block was specially cast and crankcase was fitted with four bolt main bearing caps. The heads were revised with high-flow intake ports and roller rockers. Special connecting rods, crankshafts, and pistons were fitted as well as a custom exhaust. The key feature though was the fabled Walkinshaw twin throttle body inlet manifold, which had been specially developed for the Group A and featured sequential setup with a smaller and larger throttle body. This was fitted with a restrictor plate on the larger, secondary throttle body, which actually let less air through than the smaller throttle body. Some reports have indicated that as much as 50–60 horsepower can be gained from the removal of the restrictor plates.
Engine: Holden 4987 cc V8
Valvetrain OHV 2 Valves / Cyl
Power: 180 kW @ 5200 rpm (241 hp)
Torque: 380 Nm @ 4000 rpm (280 ft/lb)
Valvetrain OHV 2 Valves / Cyl
Power: 180 kW @ 5200 rpm (241 hp)
Torque: 380 Nm @ 4000 rpm (280 ft/lb)
The Holden V8, 40 Years Of Racing Heritage - Australia's Most Successful Racing Engine In History