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Last HSV GTS rolls off Clayton production line

Holden Special Vehicles releases video of final GTS being assembled

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THE final HSV GTS to ever be built has rolled off the Clayton production line, bringing an end to the nameplate’s 25-year history.

Presented in ‘Son of a Gun’ grey, the final model is GTS number 12,012 built by Holden Special Vehicles since the badge first appeared.

Here are the very last build moments of our final and 12,012th #GTS which has been sold via Sutherland HSV #GTSfinishline 👋 pic.twitter.com/mT2lMEFEky

— HSV (@OfficialHSV) June 19, 2017

This significant HSV won’t be retained by the brand for heritage purposes. Instead, a Sutherland dealership pre-sold the vehicle, and a lucky customer is set to become the car’s custodian.

Like other GenF2 GTS models, the final car is powered by a supercharged LSA engine pumping out 430kW and 740Nm. Until the resurrection of the GTSR badge, the GTS stood as HSV’s flagship model and laid claim to the title of Australia’s most powerful production car.

While the GTS has bitten the dust, HSV will continue to build the GTSR, GTSR Maloo, and of course the LS9-powered GTSR W1.

HSV did not confirm today any other final production dates for the rest of its Commodore-based range, with general manager of marketing, Damon Paull, stating production will continue on other vehicles.

“The balance of the range will be building right through ‘til the end of the year,” he told Wheels.

Paull wouldn’t be drawn on whether the GTS badge would be retired permanently, or if the name could adorn a future HSV model, but he did highlight the significance of the model in HSV’s history.

“I think it is quite an iconic moment. Our records indicate this is the 12,012th vehicle to carry the GTS nameplate,” he explained.

“[GTS] has certainly been at the cornerstone of HSV’s success over a really long period of time.

“It is a 25-year old nameplate that has been at the essence of HSV’s success. It is quite a moment.”

The first HSV GTS was introduced in Australia in 1992 with the VP Commodore series, and has adorned the brand’s most powerful models for every generation with the exception of Z Series, when it was only available by special order.

Cameron Kirby
Contributor

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