Car Video Reviews / HSV ClubSport R8 SV (Gen-F)
HSV ClubSport R8 SV Review: The Last Great Aussie V8?
By Stuart Ellis · 8 January 2026 · 11 min video
A 2015 Gen-F ClubSport R8 SV in Sting Red, with a six-speed manual and the SV Enhanced pack. Is this the last great Aussie V8 sedan?
The verdict
The Gen-F is HSV at the top of its game. It's thirsty, big and old-school, but it's fast, full of character and genuinely practical. One of the last four-door, rear-drive V8 sedans you could live with every day. The kind of car you remember.
Key facts
- Engine
- 6.2-litre LS3 V8
- Power / torque
- 340kW / 570Nm (SV Enhanced)
- Gearbox
- 6-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
- 0–100km/h
- About 4.8 seconds
- Brakes
- Six-piston AP Racing front calipers
- Price new (2015)
- From about A$73,290 plus on-roads
What I liked
- Composed, comfortable ride over rough Aussie roads
- Easy gearbox with a light clutch
- Big boot and genuine family-car practicality
- Bi-modal exhaust and loads of equipment
What I didn't
- Long gearing, so it needs about 4,000rpm to wake up
- Wide seats let you slide around
- Optional wing cuts through the rear-view mirror
- Thirsty: about 16L/100km around town
FAQ
How powerful is the HSV ClubSport R8 SV?
With the SV Enhanced pack the LS3 makes 340kW and 570Nm.
Is a Gen-F ClubSport practical?
Very. It has a huge boot and room for a family, and uses about 10L/100km on the highway.
What's the main weakness?
Long gearing. It lacks low-down urgency until around 4,000rpm.
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