HSV plans shift to rear-mount gears

[csv8]

HSV plans shift to rear-mount gears
Barry Park
August 13, 2011
Comments 28

Next transmission ... future powerhouse Commodores will be more suited to the racetrack.
The next go-fast Commodore may adopt race-bred technology.

HSV'S performance line-up is gearing up to soon blur the line even further between racetrack and road, with the brand believed to be working on a rear-mounted gearbox similar to the next-generation V8 Supercars.

The transaxle manual gearbox, made by Ballarat-based high-performance gearbox manufacturer Albins, will lift HSV's Commodore-based range into the same playing field as other performance car giants that shift cogs from the rear, including General Motors' Chevrolet Corvette, the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Gullwing and the twin-turbo Nissan GT-R.

The transaxle unit, expected to be similar to that ordered by home-grown supercar developer Joss, will not be based on the sub-60-kilogram six-speed version - costing about $27,000 each - that will be fitted to the V8 Supercar of the future prototypes, due to be unveiled at Bathurst in October and set to replace the current cars in the 2013 race series.

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While the HSV version is expected to be more affordable, it is likely to be low-volume and a gearbox for limited models, lending weight to rumours of another top-end high-performance HSV to step in for the W427 that was the last signed off by the brand's late founder, Tom Walkinshaw.

HSV is already working on a supercharged V8 that is expected to increase performance significantly over the current 6.2-litre V8.

The founder of Albins, Ivan Albins, expressed surprise when questioned about HSV's interest in the gearbox.

''I didn't think anyone knew about that,'' he told Drive during a chance meeting in the West Australian outback, where he was driving the length of the Canning Stock Route. ''We've signed a confidentiality agreement with HSV, so I can't really say much about it.''

While HSV won't confirm its end of the agreement, spokesman Tim Jackson says the specialist car maker is continually working on the development of its product line-up.

It has already started preparing the fourth generation of its E-Series range, with weight - and the way it is spread across the axles - now likely to be a big factor.

The performance division should also benefit from Holden's announcement that it will soon use lightweight aluminium panels to replace steel components in its cars, which on the bonnet and boot alone shed about 15 kilograms.

However, in Holden's application of the technology, it plans to cut fuel use rather than follow HSV's goal of increasing performance.

HSV's third-generation ClubSport R8 sedan has increased its kerb weight to 1825 kilograms, well up on the original version's 1760 kilograms.

Details are scant on how the gearbox is likely to work in the HSV but much is already known about the race car's version. According to Albins, the race box will keep the clutch assembly at the rear of the engine, similar to a conventional manual gearbox, but will connect with the transaxle via a drive shaft running at the engine's speed.

Drivers will select gears using a rod running from the gearstick in the cabin to the rear-mounted unit, which will also incorporate the differential.

The Joss supercar's application of the gearbox is expected to have to cope with more than 500Nm of torque from its as-yet-unnamed twin-turbo V8 engine, or a similar level of pulling power to the current HSV Clubsport R8's 550Nm.

Holden's parent company, GM, already has experience in transaxle gearbox technology, which is featured on its Chevrolet Corvette rear-wheel-drive performance car.

GM announced this week it plans to halve the number of car platforms it uses for its product line-up to cut development costs. But while it will have an impact globally, it is not expected to spell the end of Australia's best-selling car.

''We're continuing to develop future Commodore models for the Australian market and work on other global rear-wheel-drive projects - which with cars like Camaro have been very successful in the past,'' a spokeswoman, Shayna Welsh, says.

''We are absolutely committed to designing, engineering and building vehicles right here in Australia. There's no change to that approach.''

[Wretched]

Interesting and I don't see why they can't do it. Hope they do.
Since the E-series and with the exception of their "black series," HSV have had done well.

[burnz]

a full length torque tube maybe?

[Dr Smith]

Does such a setup require body changes? Such as rear floor pan, boot floor, spare wheel, rear fuel tank. If so, wouldn't you need to build this into Commodore shells coming off the line. Sounds very expensive before you even factor in the new components then add crash testing etc....

[Scott]

Originally Posted by csv8

The transaxle unit, expected to be similar to that ordered by home-grown supercar developer Joss, will not be based on the sub-60-kilogram six-speed version - costing about $27,000 each - that will be fitted to the V8 Supercar of the future prototypes, due to be unveiled at Bathurst in October and set to replace the current cars in the 2013 race series.'

That's a lot of info for a unit it is "not based on"

[Dr Smith]

Edit to HSV's lawyers when drawing up NDA's...make sure you include a paragraph stating that having signed an NDA, you can't actually say you've signed an NDA to the press...
bit like the US warship Captains stating "I can neither confirm nor deny I have nuclear weapons on board..errr please place this radiation sensor on your lapel as we tour the ship..."

[makattkd]

I think its rather silly on two counts. Surely HSV have access to the Corvette transaxle which would be a lot more affordable. and putting it in one model and not another is stupid cos of the massive changes that need to be made for the different chassis.

I am all for a locally developed unit, but will this be another flop by HSV cos it will price itself out of the market?

Surely it would be smarter to make the whole platform transaxle and distinguish between normal and premium models with a manual H pattern shift and a dual clutch arrangement?

[Road_Warrior]

Looks like more "coulda, woulda, shoulda" from Drive.

I can't see how HSV could implement something like this in the current platform without costs spiralling out of control.

[stang65]

beleive it when i see it.

[GTP-814]

no mention of benefit to weight etc, just that latest series is now 1825kg. Then the SC with add more weight, greater than the 15kg they claim to loose with 'lightweight aluminium panels' as long as they meet aust safety standards

[XRtowcar]

[QUOTE=Road_Warrior]Looks like more "coulda, woulda, shoulda" from Drive.

You mean if we leaked info about a 1000hp, mid engined, 8speed supercar, it would end up as fact in Drive?

[XC_Lizzard]

Originally Posted by csv8

Holden's parent company, GM, already has experience in transaxle gearbox technology, which is featured on its Chevrolet Corvette rear-wheel-drive performance car.

You just don't want to wear out the clutch too often, as in at least some of the corvettes with the transaxle, replacing the clutch involves dropping the rear suspension and then the transaxle or pulling the motor out.

[Fev]

Originally Posted by csv8

HSV plans shift to rear-mount gears


The transaxle manual gearbox, made by Ballarat-based high-performance gearbox manufacturer Albins, will lift HSV's Commodore-based range into the same playing field as other performance car giants that shift cogs from the rear, including General Motors' Chevrolet Corvette, the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Gullwing and the twin-turbo Nissan GT-R.

Anyone else here have an immediate thought of a hand stroking a pole movement after reading this? Dribble reporting

[Gobes32]

Originally Posted by csv8

The next go-fast Commodore may adopt race-bred technology.

And that pretty much sums up the whole article.........

[MAD]

Are they looking to come up with another 'production' car for a race or something?

[ebxr8240]

Wow like they don't already have a SC motor !!!
Just before Bathurst they release these every year..
The Alfa GTV6 had gearbox at rear trans axle years ago..

[grey_esp]

Its not un believable, could be possible development for the futre comm-aro platform. They may have only signed a deal for 4 of them. Could be another special bathurst 24hr car. That article is very light on actual detail.

[gt4lyfe]

Originally Posted by Road_Warrior

Looks like more "coulda, woulda, shoulda" from Drive.

I can't see how HSV could implement something like this in the current platform without costs spiralling out of control.

Right On RW! hahah I love it.. Holden will do what ever Obama dictates to GM.. ehhehe

[BroncosXR8]

Seems like a bit of over-engineering to me, notice all those examples of vehicles with rear mounted gearboxes are sportscars and not four door sedans.
I'm pretty sure that Merc, BMW, Audi nor even Cadillac and their CTS-V bother using a rear mounted gearbox in their sedan variants, no matter how hardcore.

Not unless they decide to release a new 'new' Monaro and they then decide that a rear mounted gearbox would be a good idea.

[Fev]

It won't come into fruition. They'll lose too much boot space as well..

[nstg8a]

even the ls1 guys are calling bs...
http://www.ls1.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=151597

i agree with what one poster suggested, more likely for a concept.

[Road_Warrior]

Originally Posted by XRtowcar

You mean if we leaked info about a 1000hp, mid engined, 8speed supercar, it would end up as fact in Drive?

Precisely, especially if it concerns Holden.

[MAD]

Originally Posted by XRtowcar

You mean if we leaked info about a 1000hp, mid engined, 8speed supercar, it would end up as fact in Drive?

I seem to remember Fordforums information about a certain v10 powered BA GT-HO that made it in to a few magazines.

[LANKY 1]

Something like this would then ensure the commodore stays a rear wheel drive car

[jpd80]

If FPV turn up to a 12 hour race with a S/C 5.0 Falcon GT,
You can bet that HSV will have 12 litres, two superchargers, AWD and a 20 speed road ranger gearbox....

They just have to have the last word.

[SteveJH]

What setup did the Monaro 427 use? Just wondering since I think I saw somewhere that it was racing in the previous version of the Australian GT championship?

[wraith]

Originally Posted by jpd80

If FPV turn up to a 12 hour race with a S/C 5.0 Falcon GT,
You can bet that HSV will have 12 litres, two superchargers, AWD and a 20 speed road ranger gearbox....

They just have to have the last word.

Agree with the 12 litres but I think HSV have forgotten the benefits of FI.

[FPV GTHO]

Originally Posted by SteveJH

What setup did the Monaro 427 use? Just wondering since I think I saw somewhere that it was racing in the previous version of the Australian GT championship?

That had a sequential V8 Supercar box iirc, Holinger H6S i think they were.

If the article had of been about the Camaro using the Corvette transaxle and that following through to the Commodore it might have been credible.

[DJM83]

Originally Posted by Gobes32

And that pretty much sums up the whole article.........

Agreed.
HSV's payment to Drive must have went through so they had to dream up a story to keep HSV in the headlines

[Bossxr8]

The Commodore basically has a 50/50 weight distrubution from memory anyway, battery in the boot etc, so switching to a rear mounted trans axle is a WOFTAM.

Drivel strikes again.