KEY POINTS:
In the Australian muscle-car industry, there's no substitute for cubic capacity - mainly because that's the best way to get a really big number glued on the bootlid of your latest and greatest.
So forget global warming and high fuel prices, say goodbye to the 6.0-litre V8 HSV Commodore and welcome the new 6.2-litre range.
The old bootlid badge said "307" (kilowatts, as if you didn't know); the new one says "317". Let's go.
What's new?
The big, loud thing under the bonnet. The only substantial change to the E-series is the addition of the LS3 engine, sourced from North America and also used in the Chevrolet Corvette. It makes 317kW and 550Nm of torque at 4600rpm.
Fuel economy is about the same - 14.5 litres per 100km, compared with 14.4 litres per 100km for the old 307kW model.
The GTS was the first HSV to crack the 0-100km/h sprint in less than five seconds - at least in manual-transmission form, as driven here.
So, in performance terms, it's probably pretty good value at $92,990.
The company line
"We know our customers want the latest and greatest technology in their cars," said former HSV boss Scott Grant, at the launch of the uprated model (Grant resigned from the company last month). "The General Motors LS3 engine continues the HSV tradition of scouring the world for technological advancements to enhance the driving experience."
What we say
More like making sure you've got the biggest and loudest V8 engine you can find in the GM stable.
But it is magnificent and you can't argue with the numbers because there's a big one on the bootlid. Not that there's anything wrong with that.
On the road
Disapprove all you like - the new GTS is magnificent. Sure, the E-series is still covered in badges and shouty looking spoilers, but it was designed with true chassis sophistication in mind.
So more power simply means a better and more exciting drive. It's an awesome thing and every bit as good as you have heard.
On the road, I still don't think the E-series HSVs feel as nimble or responsive as the equivalent FPV models - they require more muscle and have less finesse at low speed.
But if you're serious about driving a car like this fast, the HSV product comes into its own - the GTS is trustworthy up to the limit, and not the least bit scary on a wet road. Honest.
So what's stopping you?
The knowledge that a manual-transmission GTS is no longer top of the HSV performance tree.
That honour belongs to the limited-run W427, which packs a 7.0-litre V8 and a host of dynamic upgrades.
Mind you, that car is not for everybody - it costs $194,500 and just seven are coming to New Zealand. So you're not likely to line up next to one at the traffic lights.
