HSV Releases Series 2 SportsCat 4x4

Published: 04 July 2019

Pictured: HSV Series 2 SportsCat SV.

Hot on the heels of adding the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 super-car to its 2019 model range, HSV today announced a range of freshening actions to its SportsCat 4x4 pick-up model.

Building on an already impressive list of standard features, the new Series 2 SportsCat range adopts:

Gloss black grille, fascia and lower inserts
New 6-spoke forged alloy wheel
New HSV Performance seats
Sports-profile steering wheel
Enhanced HSV branding
Broadened range of options
New nomenclature
No change to Recommend Retail Pricing

To be available in two variants and with revised nomenclature – SportsCat V (replacing the SportsCat “Look Pack”) and SportsCat SV (replacing the SportsCat+) - the vehicle’s rugged and distinctive front-end design, featuring a prominent bonnet bulge, LED fog lamps and dual recovery hooks, is now enhanced by the adoption of a gloss black finish on the fascia, grille and lower inserts.

Stylish new 18” x 10” 6-spoke forged alloy wheels, finished in matte black, make their debut as standard equipment on both models. These light-weight alloys are wrapped in Cooper Zeon LTZ Pro Sports All-terrain tyres that are a hybrid between a sports-truck tyre and an all-terrain tyre. In addition to their rugged off-road properties, these tyres were specially selected by HSV’s chassis engineers for their outstanding on-road performance characteristics, most notably on tarmac and dirt roads.

In response to customer feedback, additional “HSV” branding has been added to the side and rear of the tub as well as the front seat headrests, the vehicle’s instrument panel and the floor mats.

“Class-leading stature and stance, combined with bold graphics, sum up the design direction we took with the initial SportsCat program,” said HSV’s Chief Designer, Julian Quincey. “We wanted our design to look strong and purposeful, yet beautifully integrated. The enhancements we’ve introduced with Series 2 accentuate that theme and deliver a road presence that’s truly distinctive and unique.”

The interior also comes in for a dramatic make-over with the addition of a leather-wrapped sports-profile steering wheel more commonly seen in a sports coupe than a 4x4.

New HSV Performance seats, with Windsor suede inserts, feature a revised trim pattern and substantially enhanced bolsters for superior comfort and support.

The Series 2 upgrades add to an already impressive list of standard features which have pitched the SportsCat as one of the most dynamic sports 4x4’s on the market.

A stylish hard tonneau, with load-rail provision and quick-release mechanism, combined with a rugged alloy sports-bar (an HSV-designed sailplane is also optional on SportsCat SV), enhance the vehicles’ sporty profile.

From a chassis perspective, HSV Engineers have invested heavily in the SportsCat’s unique driving dynamics.

Both SportsCat models feature HSV Sports Suspension with the front spring rate stiffened to 110 Newtons/mm. The modification to the spring rate, and the addition of front strut braces, help deliver a noticeable improvement in the handling characteristics of the vehicle, providing improved front-end support (less body roll) and more accurate transient response. The (MTV) dampers have been tuned to suit the revised spring rate with the overall result being a more performance-based handling characteristic.

In addition to the increased spring rate, front ride height has been lifted by 25mm. When coupled with the overall size of the tyres (285/60 R18), and their rolling radius, total (front) ride height is lifted by 45mm. This modification further improves the approach angle of the vehicle (to 32 degrees), increases ground clearance (to 251mm) and reduces the vehicle’s overall rake, delivering a more natural on-road stance.

The chassis enhancements extend to the adoption of a Rear De-Coupling Anti-Roll Bar on the SportsCat SV. Developed specifically for the vehicle by HSV’s chassis engineers, the de-coupling rear sway bar improves the higher speed road driving performance of the vehicle by controlling rear roll, and thereby improving overall vehicle balance and turn-in transient response. The de-coupling feature ensures that when heading into rugged 4x4 territory, the vehicle’s suspension settings can be optimised for off-road performance; the system is automatically de-activated upon the driver’s (“shift-on-the-fly”) selection of Four-Wheel Low.

SportsCat SV also features a unique braking package, further enhancing its sporting credentials. Front 4-piston forged AP Racing brake calipers are complemented by 362mm x 32mm diameter rotors and a large (25.4mm) diameter brake master cylinder, to deliver improved pedal feel through a reduction in pedal travel and softness. A class-leading level of stopping power (and driver confidence) is delivered in all braking applications, but none more so than during heavy braking situations.

The upgrades to the vehicle’s Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system, driven by the adoption of a larger wheel and tyre, a modified braking system and the suspension enhancements, also provided HSV’s chassis engineers with the opportunity to improve further aspects of its functionality.

In addition to the ABS being tuned to suit the unique tyre and brake package, the functionality of the vehicle’s Traction Control System (TCS) was adjusted to allow for less aggressive interventions, particularly on corner exit. These adjustments also help deliver a more performance-based vehicle response.

Similarly, the use of earlier TCS interventions, and lighter, initial, ESC interventions, has smoothed out overall system performance, allowing for a more dynamic driving experience, without, of course, compromising the vehicle’s safety credentials.

In addition to their stylish appeal, the new 18” forged alloy wheels also feature a P18 offset which increases the overall track of the vehicle by 30mm for increased stability.

In commenting on the engineering development, HSV’s Chief Engineer, Trevor Barallon, said, “A major focus of the initial SportsCat program was enhancing the off-road performance of the vehicle whilst at the same time, setting a new bench-mark for on-road driving dynamics. Normally you can’t achieve one without compromising the other. But with the revisions we’ve made to the vehicle’s suspension, combined with the AP Racing brake package, the Rear De-coupling Anti-roll Bar and our exclusive wheel and tyre package, we believe we offer a truly unique driving experience.”

In addition to the styling and engineering enhancements developed by HSV for the SportsCat range, the vehicle also carries over a raft of core vehicle features that help complete the premium offering.

From a performance perspective, both SportsCat models are powered by a 2.8 litre double overhead cam Duramax Turbo Diesel engine that offers 147kW of power and up to 500Nm of torque when specified with the optional 6-speed automatic transmission with Active Select. A 6-speed manual transmission is standard fare.

Braked towing capacity of 3,500kg and a maximum payload of approximately 1 tonne deliver impressive workhorse capabilities while HSV’s engineering enhancements are complemented by some highly valued safety features incorporated into the vehicle’s ESC system including Trailer Sway Control, Roll-over Mitigation, Hill Start Assist and Hill Descent Control.

Similarly, the stylish HSV modifications to the interior complement a breadth of already impressive driver and cabin comforts and technologies including:

8” colour touch screen
Embedded Satellite Navigation
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto phone projection technology
Digital Audio Broadcast (DAB+) multi-media
Remote start (auto only)
Premium 7-speaker audio
Driver technology aids:

Rain Sensing Wipers
Forward Collision Alert
Lane Departure Warning
Front and Rear Park Assist

Rear View Camera
Electronic Climate Control
7 airbags (front/side/curtain/driver’s knee)

And finalising the upgrades is a broadened array of personalisation. The AP Racing brake package, the Rear De-coupling Anti-roll Bar and SupaShock suspension will all be available as regular production options where the feature is not already fitted as standard equipment. The SportsCat V will also be available with a “delete Hard Tonneau and Sports-bar” option shaving $2,500 off the recommended retail price.

Recommended Retail Pricing for the Series 2 SportsCat range will remain unchanged with build due to commence at HSV’s production facility in Clayton South, Victoria, early this month.

Recommended Retail Pricing ($A)

SportsCat V (manual): $62,490
SportsCat SV (manual): $66,790

(N.B. Model pricing quoted is Recommended Retail Pricing and excludes Dealer Delivery and Statutory Charges.)

Options ($A)

6-speed Automatic Transmission with Active Select: $2,200
AP Racing premium brake package (SportsCat V only): $2,295
Rear De-coupling Anti-Roll Bar (SportsCat V only): $2,795
Sailplane (SportsCat SV only): $1,300
SupaShock suspension: $2,990
Tub-liner: $300
Prestige Paint (Dark Shadow / Mineral Black / Crush): $550
Delete Hard Tonneau and Sports-bar (SportsCat V only): ($2,500)

HSV Releases Series 2 SportsCat 4x4

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