Slap n' tickle-up

22 September 2010 - 12:00

A dual-fuel LPG option, a V8 Supercar-inspired data logging system, and a teeny styling tidy up: these are the highlights of HSV's new E3 range.

That Liquid Propane Injection V8 is an interesting piece of work, as we reported when TopGear drove the prototype 18 months ago. The extra tank robs about 20 percent of boot space and the entire system adds 60kg, before you fill the tank.

It starts on unleaded, but runs on LPG between rest and 4000rpm, after which it switches over to petrol. Eh? LPG's a dry fuel, meaning it doesn't lubricate the valve seats as well as unleaded, causing wear at higher revs.

HSV claims almost no loss in power or torque and up to 50 percent lower running costs, but you'll need a calculator to figure out how far to drive to recoup the extra $5990 on a sedan and $6390 for the Maloo.

The highlight of the centre-mounted touch-screen is without doubt the Enhanced Driver Interface (EDI), a data-logging system developed in conjunction with the people who supply Holden Racing Team's systems. On the move you can access a range of information, from throttle and brake percentages to G-forces in four directions, real-time power and torque outputs, log a lap time on a race track, see what the shock absorbers are doing (yes, I'm serious) and get a little too interested in how much fuel you're using. Plus other stuff.

Then there's a USB port in the glovebox so's you can download lap-time data and knock it into your laptop, where you can overlay all the information to a screen. Just like you see in the pits at the races. It smells a little bit World of Warcraft but, hey, who am I to judge?

New, too, is the blind-side warning system, which illuminates a small light at the base of each A-pillar to alert you to a car sitting in the blind-spot on either side of the car. Worthy and worthwhile.

The styling team has re-tweaked the rear spoiler (set lower now for better rear vision), tarted up the gauges, and had a fiddle with other bits and pieces which you won't even notice... unless you have HSV tattooed in massive letters across your bum.

So, for a baseline price increase of $1000 on most models, your HSV is now a bit cleverer, more efficient and certainly more bragworthy. That alone should generate a rush of existing HSV trade-ins, I would've thought.

See more pics of the new HSV E3 here