Harvest Automobiles races onto the fast lane by forming a new dealership with a muscle car brand.
Being the sole distributor of Skoda cars for two years now, Harvest Automobiles adds to its repertoire a whole new range of muscle cars through a collaboration with Holden Special Vehicles, bringing the mighty V8 engine vehicles onto the shores of Singapore. Fans of HSV now have a cause for celebration as these special cars, for the first time in almost a year, are being distributed outside of Australia.
 |
| CN PHOTOS: Kenneth Tan |
For the uninitiated, HSV is a leading Australian brand specializing in muscle cars (high performance automobiles), introduced to the Australian public in 1988. HSV is also actively involved in the motorsport arena with a Holden V8 Supercar racing team.
The initiation of HSV with Harvest Automobiles came into fruition at the Changi Exhibition Centre. Amidst the dazzling lights and glamorous models, five of HSV’s E-series high-octane performance vehicles roared into full view for the guests’ visual and aural pleasure.
The star vehicles were the Maloo, a car-pickup hybrid, the GTS sedan, the Clubsport Tourer station wagon, and the Grange and Senator luxury sedans, each sporting a 6.2 liter V8 engine, six-speed automatic with active select transmission, 550Nm torque peaking at 4600rpm, and accelerates from 0-100km/hr in under five seconds.
Once the emcee for the night, Class 95’s Flying Dutchman, gave the green light, the many car enthusiasts flocked toward the mean machines for a first-hand feel. Some peered under the hood for a glimpse at the machinations powering these muscle cars, while others made a beeline for the driver’s seat for an experience behind the wheel.
It was a heyday not just for HSV and Harvest Automobiles, but also for the motorsport scene in Singapore. Australian High Commissioner, Doug Chester, hoped that “the import of HSV cars will be the forerunner for the import of V8 Supercars.”
“Our TV stations are airing more V8 Supercar races which have resulted in a substantial increase in awareness here,” points out Marie Tang, marketing manager for Harvest Automobiles. With the new Changi Motorsports Hub coming up, coupled with F1 racing already the rage in Singapore, petrolheads have much to look forward to in the near future.
A surprise performance rounded up the night when Aussie racing champions Garth Tander and Greg Murphy made a grand entrance in a HSV T2 and GTS respectively. The crowd watched in awe as the two supercars drifted along the wet tarmac, displaying a unison of grit, tenacity and grace found only in top-tiered muscle cars.
The driving event the following day received overwhelming response as well. “Both owners and prospective customers got to test drive the GTS and the Maloo, and they left with good impressions,” Tang says.
Already, the first shipment has been sold out. “Harvest Automobiles is proud to add the HSV brand to its current distributorship of Skoda cars,” says Tang. “With these two brands, Harvest Automobiles hopes to bring some excitement into the automobile industry.”
For further information, log on to www.hsv.com.au or visit the showroom at 3 Leng Kee Road.
