FEATURE - 2016 HSV ClubSport R8 LSA
Words Mike Ryan
Photos: Courtesy of Consign-A-Car Brisbane
More than six years after the last one was built, HSV’s ClubSport remains an Aussie icon. While the GTS had the extra features and the Maloo had the load carrying capability, the ClubSport was a favourite and became the top-selling vehicle of any type to wear an HSV badge.
While the ClubSport was essentially the entry-level model, HSV kept adding and expanding on it in the years following its introduction, culminating in the ClubSport R8 LSA, which was arguably the best ‘Clubbie’ you could buy.
The ClubSport story starts in 1990, back when Holden Special Vehicles was barely three years old. HSV had wanted to create a more affordable entry point to the range, so the company’s marketing head, John Harvey, ordered a batch of VN Commodore sedans with the 5.0-litre V8. In the HSV workshop, performance was wound up to 180kW (from 165kW), better suspension was slotted in, followed by bespoke wheels and performance tyres. Completing the package was a model-specific body kit and some interior alterations.
What was a bit of a gamble on Harvey’s part (he hadn’t sought GM-H approval before ordering the initial batch of cars) proved to be a success, with 410 units of the VN-based ClubSport built.
Adding More
The popularity of the original ClubSport saw the name continue on VP, VR and VS models, all of which largely followed the mantra of the original – extra performance at an affordable price. With the VT, the ClubSport range was enhanced with the addition of an R8 variant that came with improved suspension and better brakes as standard. The VT series also saw the switch from the Aussie 5.0-litre V8 to a GM-sourced 5.7-litre LS1 V8.
As HSV continued through the VX, VY and VZ (the latter two referred to as ‘Y Series’ and ‘Z Series’ by HSV), the ClubSport and ClubSport R8 remained a constant, with a couple of limited editions added. The larger (6.0-litre) and more powerful LS2 V8 came on line in this period, too.
The switch to the E Series in 2006 saw HSV apply what they’d developed to the new VE Commodore’s shape, including even bolder bodykits. The E Series also saw the LS3 6.2-litre V8 standardised across most of the range.
ClubSport R8 became the new base model for the E Series, with the non-R8 version dropped. An R8 wagon was offered for the first time, though, along with a pair of new limited editions. The ClubSport ‘GXP’ dropped some of the R8 features to sell at a reduced price, while the ‘20th Anniversary Edition’ marked two decades not of the ClubSport, but of HSV’s first car – the VL SS Group A SV, aka the ‘Walkinshaw Commodore’.
The ’Super’ Clubbie
In 2013, HSV transitioned to the VF Commodore Gen-F Series, with a Gen-F2 upgrade following in late 2015. Part of that upgrade included the launch of ClubSport R8s with the supercharged LSA engine that had previously been the preserve of the GTS. Compared to 340kW and 570Nm maximums from the LS3, the LSA kicked that up to 400kW and 671Nm.
The car featured is a 2016 ClubSport R8 LSA, so it comes from that final group of ultimate Clubbies. In addition to the supercharged V8, the ClubSport R8 LSA also got a 9.9-inch diff, upgraded driveline parts, stiffer suspension, modified bodykit front and rear, Lo-line spoiler, LSA badging and cosmetic alterations.
The ClubSpot R8 LSA was a GTS in many respects, but with slightly less power and foregoing that model’s magnetic ride control, torque vectoring and larger 6-piston front brake calipers.
Available in wagon as well as sedan form, the ClubSport R8 LSA was priced from $80,990 at launch, which seemed like an absolute bargain compared to the GTSR W1 released in 2017 that started at $169,900.
One to Buy
After the final Commodore-based HSVs were built in 2017 (including a batch of ‘30 Years’ Anniversary ClubSport R8s), prices went mad for a period, with some owners asking for – and receiving – well over the list price. It’s settled down a lot since then, but good, low mileage examples of Commodore-based HSV cars from the final years of production continue to command more than their original price in many cases.
On the ClubSport R8 LSA, a quick scan online shows pricing of around $115,000 to be the norm, making the car featured a sharp buy at $97,990. It's currently listed for sale with Consign-A-Car in Brisbane, who tell us that it’s a one-owner Queensland car that’s always been stored undercover - at home and work.
They also advise that this ClubSport has the more powerful - 410kW and 691Nm – engine from the 30 Years package that was released in 2017 as a farewell to the Clubbie. Fitted with the optional six-speed sports automatic transmission (with paddle shifters), this car has less than 30,000km on the odometer, is finished in Heron White and presents outstandingly well, both inside and out.
The list of standard ClubSport R8 LSA features fitted to this car include push-button starting, satnav, Bluetooth, dual climate control air con, reversing camera and model-specific 20-inch alloys, as well as a comprehensive driver assistance and safety tech package.
For more details on this desirable HSV or to arrange a test drive, call Consign-A-Car on (07) 3359 2477, or drop in to their new showroom at 605 Zillmere Road, Zillmere.
New home for Consign-A-Car
Consign-A-Car have moved into new premises at Zillmere that the Queensland consignment specialists describe as a win for both sellers and buyers.
In addition to being almost double the size of the previous yard at Kedron, the new space is also entirely undercover, meaning vehicles aren’t subject to changeable Queensland weather, or the dust and grime that came from roadworks surrounding the old site.
Yvette Cottrill of Consign-A-Car explains that the move was largely customer driven, and even though its early days at the improved premises, those customers have followed them to the new site.
There’s space to securely hold around 120 cars – all undercover - which has allowed Consign-A-Car to implement an expansion of their business to cater to a growing customer base. The new site also includes a café, a kids’ area and more toilets, so it’s much more than just a “car yard”.
Signage and finishing touches were still to be applied at time of writing, but Yvette says the business slotted seamlessly into the new space in late August, with the trusted Consign-A-Car team now ready to serve you at the bigger, better Zillmere site.
So, if you’re in the market to sell or buy a quality used car or SUV, call in to Consign-A-Car’s new premises.
Consign-A-Car
605 Zillmere Road, Zillmere
Ph: (07) 3359 2477
