Drive.com.au tests the HSV Grange

[Scotsman]

Full-bodied red

It's been more than 10 years since Holden Special Vehicles first took a pot shot at the prestige end of the market with its Statesman-Caprice-based Grange series.

Typically, the reality hasn't quite lived up to its maker's European-rivalling claims. Nor has the badge achieved the same sort of street cred as other names in the HSV portfolio, such as Clubsport or GTS.

The champagne-on-a-beer-budget boasts remain with the recent launch of an all-new Grange. However, with the impressive WM-series Statesman-Caprice providing the basic architecture this time around, this new model immediately looks capable of at least making a name for itself.

HSV's keen pricing strategy certainly won't hurt the push to attract people into dealerships. The Grange's $82,990 price tag is a hefty $7000 less than its WL predecessor and a reasonably palatable $13,000 more than a regular Caprice.

And it hasn't come at the cost of specification. The Grange runs the same top-line mechanical package as its E-Series GTS and Senator siblings, meaning a muscular 307 kW 6.0-litre V8, trick Magnetic Ride Control suspension, monster wheels and a generous complement of luxury and safety features.

Go for a European sedan of similar size and performance and you'll be paying more than $200,000. Will potential buyers of BMWs, Benzes and other top European brands give two hoots? Probably not, but that doesn't stop it being sharp value.

The Grange's LS2 V8 delivers its performance in a hugely accessible chunk. In normal driving it's a smooth, flexible and stately cruiser, but floor the right foot and it fairly explodes, showing an appetite for revs that belies the engine's capacity and less-than-cutting-edge technical specification.

The penalty is a thirst for premium fuel that borders on the scary in stop-start traffic. We averaged 14.2 L/100 km on test, which included a lot of highway running.

The six-speed automatic could be better, too. For the most part it does a good job, particularly in sports mode, but the occasional crude or delayed shift shows there's still work to do to catch up with the best.

No such problems with the MRC system, which has two ride settings (luxury and performance) at the touch of a button. Performance mode noticeably reduces body roll and pitch during cornering, giving the Grange an impressive sense of agility and composure in press-on driving. With huge grip, great balance and sweet steering, it's more fun than its commanding size suggests.

Less endearing is the performance mode's stern ride over poor surfaces. Switching to luxury mode significantly improves the suspension's ability to soak up this sort of punishment, although it lacks the superb compliance of the standard Statesman set-up.

Apart from a restrained body kit, monster rolling stock and some subtle interior changes, the Grange story is pure Caprice. That means massive cabin space, particularly in the back, pampering comfort levels, a boot big enough for the Mafia, and reasonable fit and finish.

Buyers can also expect toys aplenty, with climate control, leather, power seats, xenon headlights, parking sensors, rear DVD system, six airbags and stability control all standard.

There's little doubt the Grange would get its nose bloodied in a direct contest against a posse of top European sedans. But like a mature wine, the Grange tastes much better than when it was first bottled, and for the money it is all but unbeatable.

http://http://www.drive.com.au/Editorial/ArticleDetail.aspx?ArticleID=42130&vf=2

[Mr. Wyndham]

That's some pretty neat info. LS2, 6-speed auto...some very useful info!

Cool Find!

[AFSNightrod]

Swap the grille out for a Chevy one and you have the Arabic market Chevrolet Caprice. I have seen one of these in person. It is a beautiful car if you ask me. I had no idea they cost that much.

[Mr. Wyndham]

I think that's in austrailian dollars, it comes out to something like 71000 dollars US, but yeah, that's still a pretty penny.