I can see it happening, 20 years from now we're going to call 2016/17 the glory days of the Aussie car industry. A time where we all knew local production was coming to an end but finishing on a dazzling high. The final cars produced in this golden era are going to be revered, highly sought after and no doubt will be worth ludicrous sums of money.
Case in point, the last hurrah for HSV (Holden Special Vehicles); The Clubsport R8 packing a 6.2 litre naturally aspirated V8 called 'The Track Edition'.
The Clubbie will feature a host of premium upgrades, some pinched from the range topping HSV GTS; reason enough to deserve the Track Edition signature.
AP Racing brakes are straight off the GTS, with 390mm vented and cross drilled rotors and bright yellow six pot calipers based on V8 Supercar technology. Unique Blade 20"rims in Dark Stainless are also added to the mix, 255/35 R20 (Front) & 275/35 R20 (Rear) on Continental ContiSportContact 5P Tyres.
The LS3 6.2 litre V8, whilst unchanged is no slouch either, pumping out 340Kw @ 6100rpm and peak torque of 570Nm @ 4650rpm.
To ensure the Track Edition lives up to its name, the spring and damper rates have been upped to improve turn in. Whether this means it'll struggle as a daily driver remains to be seen. HSV have a reputation of being able to maintain a reasonably compliant ride when dialling up the handling.
The interior gets special treatment too with alloy Track Edition scuff plates fitted to the doors sills, a Track Edition badge fitted to the centre console behind the gear stick, leather trimmed Sports bucket seats with 8 way electric power adjustment for the driver and a racy suede clad steering wheel.
Another give-away to the Track Edition is the black out treatments fitted to the sports body kit including; black badging, black trim window surrounds, black bonnet vents, black front side vents and dark chrome exhaust tips.
You'll also know you've pulled up next to the last Clubbie when you see the dramatic black bottom side sills and front chin.
For a drive away price of around $69,000 AUD for the six speed manual, it's a relative steal for the performance offered.
With only 156 six units being produced (150 for Aus, six for NZ), you'd better be quick if you want to snap one up - if they're not gone already.
The Clubsport R8 Track Edition should hit dealers at around September this year.
The glory days... they'll pass you by.
TECH SPECS
ENGINE: 6.2 litre LS3 Generation IV Alloy V8. 90 Degree OHV
POWER: (DIN kW) 340 kW* @ 6100rpm
TORQUE: (DIN Nm) 570 Nm @ 4650rpm
SUSPENSION:
FRONT: MacPherson strut direct acting stabiliser bar. Linear rate coil springs.
REAR: Multi-Link Independent Rear Suspension (IRS). Linear rate coil springs.
EXHAUST SYSTEM: Quad exhaust outlets, Hi-flow system with x-pipe intermediate and Bi-Modal mufflers.
BRAKES: AP Racing brakes, 390mm rotors, vented and cross drilled, six pot calipers.
PERFORMANCE
0 to 100Kph: 5.2 seconds (approx.)
TOP SPEED: 250Kph (speed limited)
