Hundreds of Australian V8 fans are ready to put down their money on a car they haven't seen - or even had any confirmation will exist.

HSV has revealed it has received record pre-interest in its 2017 range which is rumoured to include a revival of the GTS-R badge, with a 476kW supercharged V8 engine.

Drive first revealed HSV's plans for the GTS-R in June 2015, with the high performance company determined to send the Commodore out with a bang as production ends in late 2017.

The GTS-R, if HSV decides to revive the name of its iconic limited run 1996 model, will swap the current supercharged 6.2-litre 'LSA' engine in the Gen-F2 range for the more potent 'LS9' version.

HSV has been flooded by customers wanting to buy the rumoured LS9-powered version of the GTS. Photo: Mark Bean

While based on the LSA and retaining the same 6.2-litre capacity and supercharger the LS9 gets improved componentry to extract more grunt, including a dry sump lubrication system (which HSV already developed for the VE-based W427), forged pistons and titanium connecting rods.

Holden parent company General Motors used the LS9 in the limited edition Chevrolet Corvette ZR1, where it was tuned for an impressive 476kW of power and 819Nm of torque. Sources have told Drive that Chevrolet reportedly has approximately 140 examples of the LS9 still available for use.

That should mean HSV could do a small run of the LS9-powered Commodore, likely to be 100 or less; only 75 examples of the original GTS-R were produced in 1996 so that could be repeated.

A HSV spokesman wouldn't comment on the GTS-R rumours but did confirm that "several hundred" customers have already begun offering deposits to HSV dealers to ensure they get a 2017 HSV.

The 2017 models will bring down the curtain of HSV's two decade history of building fast Commodores.

Click here for all the latest Holden news and reviews.

Interested in buying Holden Special Vehicles GTS? Visit our Holden Special Vehicles showroom for more information.