eSports Car of the Week: Holden HSV GTS
By Kelly G.
Art of Gears brings you a different car, a different race, and introduces you to the world that is eSports racing. This week, we take a look at the Forza Horizon 3 Holden HSV GTS.
This week, we take a look at the Holden HSV GTS. Why another Austrailian car? Because today is the official launch of the open-world racer Forza Horizon 3, that’s why! Forza Horizon 3 takes place exclusively in Australia, so it only seems fair to take a look at a couple of the incredible Aussie vehicles that we get to enjoy in this arcade-style racing game.
Xbox and Ford Performance have done an outstanding job promoting this video game. Enlisting the help of the Hoonigan himself Ken Block, his Gymkhana Nine video launched earlier this month as part of the promotion for the video game.
There was even a Forza Horizon 3 launch party at the Peterson Automotive Museum in LA over the weekend as well. The event featured a meet-and-greet with Ken Block, and the team at Ford Performance brought out a nice selection of new vehicles, including the new 2017 Ford Raptor and Block’s Focus RS.
Because today is the kickoff to the official Xbox Australia “FanFest” taking place in Sydney Australia this week, our eSports Car of the Week is an Aussie powerhouse, the HSV GTS.
Last week, we featured the HSV GTS Maloo, or the mighty “Ute”. Well, the Maloo’s big brother, simply called the GTS, is one powerful sedan. The Australian made, 6.2 liter Supercharged LSA Engine makes 575hp and 550ft/lbs of Torque. This rear-wheel-drive muscle car is loads of fun to drive in Forza Horizon 3, and I can see myself adding this vehicle as one of my “go-to” vehicles for exploring the Australian Coast.
eSports Event Details
Date: Tuesday, September 27th – Monday, October 3rd, 2016
Time: Various (times to be announced on Facebook and Twitter @ArtofGears)
Game: Forza Horizon 3
Console: Xbox One
The Car? Holden HSV GTS
Holden HSV GEN-F2 GTS – A Closer Look
On Sale: Now
Base Price: $95,990 (Est.)
Engine: 6.2-liter Supercharged LSA
Drivetrain: rear wheel drive, 6-speed manual/6-speed auto
Output: 576 hp, 546 ft-lb Torque
0-60 time: 3.8 seconds (Est.)
Curb Weight: 4,172 lbs
Fuel Economy: 13.4 mpg hwy/11.1 mpg city
Here is the video of the “Real” HSV GEN-F2 GT, Australia’s most powerful production vehicle.
eSports – The HSV GTS Setup
Art of Gear’s Forza Horizon 3 HSV GTS
Car: 2014 HSV GTS
Car Sponsorship Paint Scheme: Various
Car Sponsorship Color: Various
Tune: Stock Tune Only
Drivetrain: I will be using a combination of the Logitech G920 Full Race Wheel (manual with Paddle Shifters for this car) and the Xbox One Elite Controller (Manual Shift)
Car Assists: Traction Control Off; Race line: On
Vehicle Damage: N/A
Mandatory Pit: N/A
AOG Positives: The GTS just wants to be driven hard. The car is a lot of fun to get sideways in the corners!
AOG Negatives: Not much seat time in this vehicle, but you need good throttle control in order to keep the tires from spinning!
Below is Team AOG’s “Hot Lap” in the 2014 HSV GTS. The video is a “picture jump” challenge in Forza Horizon 3. Keep in mind, this video is a hot lap, 1 take, and no restarts to see how the car performs as if you were to jump in and try to race it. So anything goes!
Next: eSports Car of the Week: HSV GTS Maloo
So what do you think? Are you interested in taking the HSV GTS out for a spin in Forza Horizon 3? Dates and times will be released on Facebook and Twitter @ArtofGears for you to come join us in our Forza Horizon 3 eSports event this week.