Good sport for bad boys

Let's face it, you don't buy an HSV if fuel economy is your focus. You certainly don't buy one if you're a shrinking violet. With its body kit and bonnet nostrils, its badges and raucous reputation, it announces itself the moment it tops the horizon.

Thus my drive to Taupo was a sedate one, for traffic officers aiming their laser will notice this car over the flotilla of Corollas around it.

So good news for potential owners - it's actually a pleasant daily driver. The Commodore donor is spacious and well laid out. This cabin's improved by the nicely finished seats with their exaggerated side bolsters. The boot's voluminous, and there are just enough extras to remind you you're driving something a bit special.

Cruise control ensured I didn't accidentally flout the speed limit, at which most of this car's considerable mumbo remains in reserve when you want to overtake. Change down a couple of gears, blip the throttle and you're past.

Noisy? Not enough. This HSV must be the only NZ example not to sport the $2899 bimodal exhaust option, which opens bypass valves to circuit the noise-control Nazis and unleash the full glory of a 6.2-litre V8 on song. Without it the car rumbas at idle, but otherwise the soundtrack is almost innocuous - proving a disappointment to my petrolhead neighbours.

They all approved the look, though. This generation of HSV can appear a little fussy, but in black on black the embellishments enhance the bad-boy menace.

And I got to release the bad boy on the way home, picking back roads that deliver a driving challenge without breaching the limit.

HSV hones the suspension, but still aims these cars at daily usage, and I found the rebound damping a tad over-plush on more lurid bumps. Otherwise the Clubsport was a blast to drive, exploding from corners and howling into them with just enough drama to thrill, not chill.

The brakes were up to the task too. But weekend racers _ or those aping them - may opt for the $2299 performance suspension; go the whole hog with the $4949 suspension and exhaust package; or take the 20-inch wheels, sport leather, exhaust and suspenders at $9199. Cheaper than buying them separately, but a hefty addition to the standard $84,090 price for this manual.

Manual? Yep. It comes with launch control. I've used it on track and I'm hooked. Repeated full-noise starts are yours without frying the clutch, and competition mode ESP lets you slide the rear out a long, long way before it cuts in, thus greatly increasing the chance you'll stay clear of the Armco.

All sounds good? Provided you're happy with the fuel economy - I netted 13.2l/100km after some hoonery but very little urban driving - and the short throw of the low beam (HSV says the test car required readjustment).

Cars like this are living on borrowed time, but little else will make a middle-aged racing wannabe feel quite so bulletproof, while keeping their more sedate family quiet.

HSV Clubsport

We like
Hairy-chested persona; torque attack; performance feel with real-world comfort

We don't like
Bi-modal exhaust is a cost extra

Powertrain
6.2-litre V8, 325kW at 6000rpm, 550Nm at 4600rpm, six-speed manual drives rear wheels

Performance
0-100km/h under five seconds, 14.8l/100km

Safety
ABS, stability and traction control, six airbags

What it's got
19-inch alloy wheels, Bluetooth hands-free phone, rear park assist, auto headlights, tyre pressure monitor, dual-zone climate-control air and more

Vital stats
4988mm long, 496-litre boot, 73-litre tank