The HSV Clubsport R8 Tourer finds itself in a niche market segment, the nearest competitor in terms of size and pricing would be Chrysler’s 300C SRT 6.1 litre V8 Hemi Touring. HSV say that they will only produce 120 R8 Tourers this year.

If the R8 Tourer is going to be used as a family wagon, I would suggest you get an auto because although the clutch isn’t very heavy, selecting gear in peak hour traffic quickly becomes tiresome. The gear lever can be quite hard work at low speeds, you have to be quite firm with it when selecting first and second gear. However given the accessible torque of the engine it is easier to select second from standstill and let the mighty V8 power take the strain of hauling you through peak hour traffic.

Behind the menacing face of the R8 Tourer is a Chevy sourced Gen IV LS3 6.2 litre V8 engine that produces 317kW and 550Nm of torque which easily copes with the vehicles 1914kg kerb weight. HSV quotes fuel consumption of 15.3L/100km, we managed a best figure of 14.5L/100km and a worst of 17L/100km.   

I did take the R8 Tourer out around some of my favourite back country roads to sample the cars capability. If this wagon has limits of adhesion then they are somewhere that most owners will never venture.

The Tourer has excellent steering and like the R8 sedan it’s a pleasure to drive around a corner despite being 100kg heavier. HSV made the rear springs another 30 percent stiffer to counteract the weight of the longer roof and tailgate. 

Current E-Series R8 Clubsport performs and handles extremely well for the average driver thanks to their well engineered suspension and electronic stability control programs. Previous HSV models have been renowned for having plenty of straight line speed but things got more than a little uncomfortable for the average driver when they came to a corner!

The interior and dashboard will be extremely familiar to VE Commodore drivers, although the Tourer gets the full HSV specific treatment. The sports bucket seats are comfortable but not as cosseting as they could be when things get frenetic. 

It may not have the cachet of an executive wagon from Audi, BMW or Mercedes-Benz, but the HSV Tourer is a far more affordable option that has the ability to be a hard charger or a practical family car. For that alone, it’s worth a second look.