To celebrate its 20th anniversary, HSV, Holden’s in-house tuning arm, rolled out a concept version of its latest E-series model powered by the Corvette ZO6’s LS7 V8 powerplant at the Melbourne Motor Show in February. Dubbed the ‘HSV W427,’ the four-door muscle sedan is now headed to production, packed with a 7.0L V8 engine providing a very healthy 505hp (375kW) and 472lb-ft (640Nm) of torque.

The production car is only minimally revised from the concept, and will be limited to a run of up to 427 cars, priced at $150,000 Aussie dollars, or about $142,000 USD, before taxes and fees. The car is expected to complete the 0-100km/h sprint in around 4.7 seconds and will feature very similar styling to the aggressive concept car.

The W427 is designed to take on European’s finest, such as the BMW M5, Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG and upcoming Audi RS6, and as such the current range-topping 400hp HSV sedan needed a serious performance boost. Engineers turned to Holden’s parent company GM to procure the new engine, but the mighty mill is hand-assembled specifically for the Australian sedan. It features an advanced dry-sump lubrication system and a unique two-mode exhaust system designed to enhance the V8 burble.

Other unique features include a carbon fibre rear spoiler, six-piston brakes, 20in wheels, a custom induction system and an uprated limited-slip differential, clutch and Tremec TR6060 six-speed manual gearbox.

Of the 427 cars to be built, each of Australia and New Zealand's 64 HSV dealers will be guaranteed at least one, provided a solid retail order is placed. The rest will be allocated according to 2007 sales figures. The first vehicles to roll off the production line will be available for purchase in August.

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