VS Maloo Specifications (Coming soon)
VS HSV Statesman Specifications (Coming soon)
VS Grange Specifications (Coming soon)
The HSV VS series, built between 1995 and 1997, was the final chapter of the “classic” Commodore shape before the all-new VT arrived and changed everything. And because of that timing, the VS HSV range has taken on a special kind of status among enthusiasts. It’s raw, it’s mechanical, and it still feels like a car built by engineers who trusted drivers to know what they were doing.
The VS Commodore was the final evolution of the VN/VP/VR architecture, heavily refined by the time HSV got involved. It brought improved build quality, updated styling, and more polished drivability, but underneath it still carried the bones of early-90s Commodore engineering. For Holden Special Vehicles, this platform represented both an opportunity and a limitation.
The VS HSV range offered a clear performance ladder, catering to everything from entry-level V8 buyers to full flagship muscle sedans.
The VS HSV range is defined by one key powerplant family: the 5.0-litre Holden V8, in its most developed form.
5.0L Holden V8 (HSV Enhanced)
By the VS era, the Holden V8 had been heavily refined through decades of development. In HSV specification, outputs typically ranged around 185kW–215kW, depending on model and tuning.
While those figures may seem modest today, the character of the engine is what mattered. It delivered strong low-end torque, a raw exhaust note, and a direct mechanical feel that defined the driving experience.
There were no fancy systems smoothing everything out. What you felt was the engine, the drivetrain, and the road—nothing more, nothing less.
It was also one of the last major iterations of the Holden V8 before the LS engine would eventually replace it in later generations.
Driving a VS HSV today is a reminder of how different performance cars used to feel.
The steering is heavy by modern standards but full of feedback. The chassis communicates clearly, especially under load, and the rear-wheel-drive balance encourages a more involved driving style.
There’s no drive mode selector. No adaptive suspension. No layered electronic personality. Just a consistent mechanical setup that behaves the same every time you start the car.
Interesting Facts
- VS HSV models are among the last to use the fully developed Holden 5.0L V8 before its discontinuation.
- The VS GTS is considered one of the most “raw” HSV flagship sedans ever produced.
- Early Maloo models from this era helped define the performance ute segment globally.
- The VS GTS-R is one of the most sought after HSV models
VS Maloo Specifications (Coming soon)
VS HSV Statesman Specifications (Coming soon)
VS Grange Specifications (Coming soon)