MotorAuthority

Holden Special Vehicles launches ClubSport R8 Tourer

Posted Tue Sep 2 2008 5:53 AM by Viknesh Vijayenthiran

Holden Special Vehicles (HSV) – the official in-house tuner for Holden - has launched the new ClubSport R8 Tourer into the Australian market, packing the same performance and luxury appointments as the R8 sedan into the Sportwagon body. The new model is the company’s first wagon since the previous-generation AWD Avalanche was released in 2003, and it’s on sale now.

The Tourer is powered by the same high performance LS3 engine from the Corvette, and produces 425hp (317kW) and 406lb-ft (550Nm) of torque. The car is available with either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic gearbox.

Customers also have the option of full leather seats as well as a 20in wheel and tire package.

Priced at AUD$1,000 more than the ClubSport sedan, HSV will build just 120 examples of the ClubSport R8 Tourer for Australian market.

The ClubSport R8 sedan is already sold in the UK market as the Vauxhall VXR8, leading to speculation that the hot wagon could make it there as well. Meanwhile, the recently revealed Pontiac GXP features almost the same powertrain and driveline specifications as the HSV, however, General Motors is yet to confirm if the wagon will be joining the sedan next year.

story Tags:

• General Motors
• Modified

Reader Comments

• Tue Sep 2 2008 10:25 AM

  mlevere1992 says

  Why wouldn't wagons make a comeback in the US? They can hold as much as some of the SUVs and get better gas mileage. Most of the SUVs look like over inflated wagons anyway. I love my Mazda6 wagon and now they are not going to be produced for the US in the new body style. Disappointing.
  
  The R8 Tourer looks great and 425hp and 406 lb ft of torque, what is not to love. It would serve Pontiac well to offer a GXP Wagon instead of the dumb Sport Truck.

• Tue Sep 2 2008 10:47 AM

  www.mywheelsonwalls.com says

  Mlevere1992- I have your answer. Not to long ago I was talking with someon inside Mazda and the reason for no new Mazda 6 wagon is that they just dont sell in America. He went on to further say that most Americans in that segment still view wagons as a seventies left over with fake wood paneling. A very sad perception and it would be nice if people would just let that perception go.
  
  I to own a Mazda 6 wagon and its a fantastic car both in performance and looks. If the above shows up on U.S. shores then Mazda will be losing me as a customer.

• Tue Sep 2 2008 5:20 PM

  JAPenguin says

  All I have to say to Pontiac is please bring this wagon to the US. With Mazda getting rid of the 6 wagon and Audi greatly reducing the configuration choices with its A4 Avant, there seem to be fewer and fewer wagon options. Thankfully, at least Cadillac appears to be bringing the CTS wagon here, but I would definitely welcome some competition from Pontiac with this vehicle.