HSV W427 History

Unveiled at the 2007 Sydney Motor Show, the W427 was HSV's most extreme Commodore-based creation prior to the 2017 GTSR W1. Built on the VE E-Series platform, it used a naturally aspirated 7.0-litre LS7 V8 — the same unit found in the Chevrolet Corvette Z06 — producing 375 kW (503 hp) and 640 Nm of torque, mated to a six-speed manual gearbox.

Originally planned as a run of 427 cars (one per cubic inch of the engine's displacement), production was capped at just 137 units after soft market demand and a decision to protect exclusivity. Each car received recalibrated Magnetic Ride Control, stiffer springs, a new exhaust, enlarged 6-piston brakes, and a strengthened limited-slip differential — making it demonstrably quicker and more capable than the standard GTS.

The W427 is now one of the most sought-after modern HSVs, a collector car from the moment production ended.