Holden Special Vehicles entered the scene in 1988 and was quick to diversify its range outside of the Commodore-based VL Group A SS by developing the Astra SV1800.
A result of the Australian Government’s Button Plan, which was designed to reduce the number of different local models produced.
Based on the N13 Pulsar, HSV had a good core for a performance model of the LD Astra in both sedan and hatchback body styles.
HSV went to work first on improving the aerodynamics where it used the Motor Industry Research Association wind tunnel in Britain to develop a six-part bodykit featuring front air dam, rear bumper, sports grille, side skirts and rear spoilers to fit both models.
Paint outs, SV1800 badges and 14×6 star alloy wheels rounded out the exterior package.
Under the skin, the 1.8-litre, multi-point fuel-injected engine produced 79kW at 5600rpm engine producing an estimated top speed of 180km/h.
The suspension includes modifications including gas struts and specially prepared valving.
Inside the interior there are front sports seats featuring the SV logo, fully trimmed doors, leather covered steering wheel, performance instrument cluster incorporating a tachometer, SV floor mat, upgraded Sansui four-speaker sound system and an SV1800 glovebox with build number.
The HSV SV1800 sold just 65 units (30 hatchbacks and 35 sedans) and a later toned down version named the Aero was produced to 150 cars.
Nearly three decades later, HSV re-entered the hot hatch game by using the European developed Astra VXR built by General Motors’m German brand Opel.
Based on AH generation, the VXR featured an engine with more than 100kW more than the SV1800 and torque steer to match!