HSV E3 adds race car technology

[R-Design]

Originally Posted by Toby Hagon September 6, 2010 - 12:30AM

HSV's new E3 Grange has an advanced touchscreen that brings data logging and lap timing capabilities as part of a model update.

There's a touch of PlayStation, a hint of V8 Supercar and even Bathurst's Mount Panorama crammed into the updated HSV E3 range that was revealed today.

The new HSV Grange E3 will debut a race car-like data logging computer and lap timer as part of an advanced technology upgrade designed to separate HSV from its Ford Performance Vehicles (FPV) rival and add artillery against European performance cars it's hoping to compete with.

While the new HSV E3 range will get no extra power (317kW and 325kW depending on the models) to combat FPV's recently revealed new pair of 315kW and 335kW supercharged V8s, the new HSV data logging and high-tech electronics are expected to be fitted as standard to all new HSV E3 models, which will be revealed next week. E3 denotes the third generation of HSV's VE-based E-Series range.

The data-logging system adds to the additional technology packed into HSVs over the last few years; HSV was one of the first car makers in the world to fit a magnetic ride control adjustable suspension system that also arrived in various Ferraris and the Audi TT, while more recently HSV added an F1-style launch control system to those cars fitted with a manual gearbox.

The new E3 Grange's basic touchscreen is shared with the updated VE Series 2 Commodore that was revealed last week, but it is packed with software from electronics specialist and race data provider MoTeC that gives it added functionality as part of what's tagged the Enhanced Driver Interface, or EDI.

The result is a level of driver-visible data not far off some race cars and similar to that used in the $160k Nissan GT-R supercar.

By monitoring the various forces on the car, as well as steering, gear selection, throttle and braking inputs from the driver, the HSV Grange's EDI can trace wheelspin, front and rear slides (understeer and oversteer) and G-forces generated during cornering and braking.

Its customisable screen also allows owners to monitor oil pressure and temperature, fuel economy, intake air temperature, exhaust pressure and how much of the 325kW of power and 550Nm of torque is being used at a given time. As part of the update the Grange picked up the 325kW version of the 6.2-litre V8 that was previously reserved for the GTS performance hero.

The new HSV EDI also has a stopwatch and lap timing function that includes data on tracks such as Bathurst's Mount Panorama, Phillip Island and Winton. Owners can also input their own lap data in conjunction with the satellite-navigation system.

Once captured, up to an hour's worth of data can be downloaded via a USB stick (through a connection in the glovebox) for use on a PC with a customised program that comes with the car.

"Our customers are passionate about driving, and this system is about delivering race bred technology in a new engaging way that is relevant to a road car," says HSV managing director Phil Harding.

"We are confident our customers are going to love the way they can access data, and interact with their car."
HSV says it worked on ensuring the EDI on its new E3 range was user friendly and intuitive, rather than a mass of numbers.

"One of the challenges with designing the graphics is in making the data accessible to the driver," says Julian Quincey, HSV chief of design and styling. "Making the display intuitive was the most important thing for us during the development process, and it really required a whole new level of integration between design and engineering.

"For instance, it is not terribly engaging to get a whole stream of data in the form of numbers or a line graph. If you are a race driver you get used to that, but in a road car it needs to be more intuitive."

HSV acknowledges the graphic colour display has the potential to distract drivers, something it says it worked on.

"It's not our intent to distract people from the job at hand," says Tim Jackson, HSV general manager of marketing and communications. "There's a warning screen when you start the car similar to those for sat-nav [systems]."

The EDI can also keep an eye on how much LPG the new LPI (liquid petroleum injection) system is using for those who splash out the $5990 (plus luxury car tax and minus a $2000 government rebate).

HSV has added the option of LPG to its range in response to environmental concerns.

While fuel use for the 6.2-litre V8 is still high compared with regular passenger cars with less power, HSV claims the LPI system will emit about 15 per cent less carbon dioxide (or CO2).

The system uses both petrol and LPG, depending on the driving conditions.

In regular driving it runs on LPG but when engine revs rise beyond 4000rpm it will switch to petrol at some point, ensuring the peak power outputs are identical - and, therefore, the acceleration times are the same.

The new HSV Grange has only had mild visual updates, including the addition of LED daytime running light strips that made it to the rest of the HSV range last year.

Value is still strong in the Grange, which is expected to sell for close to its current price of $87,990.

Based on the long wheelbase Holden Caprice, the Grange has acres of rear leg room as well as luxury amenities such as leather seats, power front seats, climate control air-conditioning, cruise control and satellite-navigation.

It also comes with the bi-modal exhaust system that gives a roartier sound at high revs.

The Grange will also come standard with a new lane departure warning system, which uses ultra-sonic sensors on each corner to detect other vehicles in its blind spot. The so called Side Blind Zone Alert (SBZA) can be switched off via the EDI touchscreen.

"Our Grange buyer expects the best appointed car in our range, and with this much equipment as standard we are sure they won't be disappointed," says Darren Bowler, HSV's general manager of sales.

http://news.drive.com.au/drive/motor...904-14uxu.html

[FPV8U]

So when you log your laptimes do they send you a letter saying thanks for helping us void your warranty?

[4Vman]

This is the future direction for HSV.. technology and driving dynamic enhancements.
They've effectively hit a power ceiling now which means they're looking at other aspects of the car.

[T3ts50]

Why would you put data logging in the Grange? Understandable if it was in the GTS or the Clubby, but in a limo?

[kenz]

Originally Posted by T3ts50

Why would you put data logging in the Grange? Understandable if it was in the GTS or the Clubby, but in a limo?

thats what I was thinking. I guess they had to do something though

[Deco28]

It said it is in every E3 vehicle.

[superroo]

Well that explains what I saw at motec a few months ago.

Analysis program looks near identical to i2 as well.

Cheers

[mik]

it looks like a good feature, from my perspective though i`d rather less money spent on ****y items and more spent on build qaulity.

[Peuty]

Heh, that's pretty cool. You could time your trip to Woolies and back.

[f6.au]

Originally Posted by 4Vman

This is the future direction for HSV.. technology and driving dynamic enhancements.
They've effectively hit a power ceiling now which means they're looking at other aspects of the car.

well said ! agree 100% !

[ohzone]

The Police and insurance companies will love it, there will be no denying as to the cause of an accident or whether you were speeding or hooning when the data is downloaded so easily from your car

[Iggypoppin']

If hsv have plateued(sp) as far as power outputs, I wonder if fpv are much further away from the same?
It looks like a pretty nifty bit of kit though, but I wonder if it will help hsv sell more cars(interesting that they release so close to coyotes release)

[Josh_XC]

When is the E3 cars been released? Didn't the E2 HSV's just get released?

[Grippy]

Originally Posted by T3ts50

Why would you put data logging in the Grange? Understandable if it was in the GTS or the Clubby, but in a limo?

I was thinking the same thing, whats the point in the LWB luxury model? Isnt the Grange only available in auto too?

[Whitey-AMG]

Originally Posted by ohzone

The Police and insurance companies will love it, there will be no denying as to the cause of an accident or whether you were speeding or hooning when the data is downloaded so easily from your car

Interesting point that one !

I wonder if there's a big DELETE button somewhere on the unit.......

[GTP owner]

Does it show them when the new gt whups them around the track? Even one better would be an onboard camera to show the owner's face when he/she is owned!

[anto]

cough...gimmik...cough

[tex]

Fluff.

I brought all that functionality 12 months ago for $800 to add to my GT. Infact, mine does a truck load more stuff, interprets fault codes, resets engine lights blah blah blah.

Unless there is a paradigm shift in the culture, the direction, the enthusiasm, and level of enthusiast “support’ by FPV, you’ll never see such tech in the GT, or F6.

GTH, possibly.

Now that shift within FPV does appear to be taking place, given the SC direction they’ve taken, but it’s another huge step to include lap timers and G meters, 0-100kmph, ¼ mile and real time HP / Torque readouts for the driver in an FPV product.

As has been suggested, no quicker way to get your car ‘red flagged’ than to have it’s TOTAL usage history at the disposal of the manufacturer.

I will be very interested to see if HSV do infact scrutinize the data, and the way they apply this to their own warranty terms and conditions.

My bet, while the inclusion of ‘race technology” like this touch screen does suggest they’re encouraging an owner to sprint the car, there will be a big disclamer also available for the owners reference, something along the lines of;

Your new vehicle is not intended for race track use, time trial events or other motorsport activities. Should your vehicle be found to have taken part in such activities, your new car warranty will be void.

[gtfpv]

Originally Posted by FPV8U

So when you log your laptimes do they send you a letter saying thanks for helping us void your warranty?

how great , you can get your lap times, 400m times , 0-100 times , it even displays your fine how many points you just lost, instant safety cam photo downloading, and has paypal , for quick payments . complete with warrenty void notices , and insurance premuim hikes with new updatable quotes by the hour .

[SM1DY]

Originally Posted by ESP

Interesting point that one !

I wonder if there's a big DELETE button somewhere on the unit.......

Yeh, you smack your head into it when the airbag deploys

[Bundy]

Inbuilt playstation, wow the best car really won........NOT.

I'd be more incline to fix the tacky passenger rail car interior (pleb models) and the sluge-o-matic gearbox (all models) first, but that just me.

[Brazen]

Great bit of kit, lane departure warning is fantastic for the price as well as blind spot assist. Its almost getting to a point where you could justify buying a HSV for its standard features rather than its handling and grunt.

[Gobes32]

It may almost be a pointless gimmick, but at the end of the day it add's to the cars "cool" factor.......

[SM1DY]

http://news.drive.com.au/drive/motor...904-14uxu.html

[BLUEYBA]

What a gimmick. They have runout of ideas and are really struggling now. Just another gadget to go wrong and cost a fortune to fix

[T3ts50]

Didn't they have a similiar feature on the VZ SV6000, which included a PDA with data logging?

[irlewy86]

Interesting that the government applies the LCT to the LPG option than refunds $2000.

I thought "green" cars had a higher LCT threshold.

[CSV_LS1]

I don't think many people here realize that there are quite a few HSV owners who track their car. And this will be very useful.

[CSV_LS1]

Originally Posted by irlewy86

Interesting that the government applies the LCT to the LPG option than refunds $2000.

I thought "green" cars had a higher LCT threshold.

I think it only applies to vehicles that have a fuel economy average of 7.9l/100km or lower.
Could be wrong though.

[SpoolMan]

Originally Posted by CSV_LS1

I don't think many people here realize that there are quite a few HSV owners who track their car. And this will be very useful.

I agree it will be useful, like the GTR on its ICC screen they bring up full diagnostics of the car, boost, oil psi, temp, etc, etc, no need for one of those OB2 gauges...
With this information available from the OB2 port on our cars would be good if a electronics guru could make it display on our ICC screens, must be someone out there with the talent who wants to make some cash with an after market product, I think there would be plenty willing to pay for this and do away with an expensive gauge set-up.