HSV Grange targets BMW, Mercedes-Benz !!!!

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Holden Special Vehicles is keen to move its brand upmarket with the luxurious and roomy Grange performance limousine, reports TOBY HAGON. 23/05/07


2007 HSV Grange
HSV has launched its most serious attempt at tackling more established luxury Marques with the latest Grange flagship – just don’t expect a bottle of Grange wine to be stashed in the boot.

The HSV Grange went on sale this week priced at $82,990, bringing with it more equipment than any locally-produced vehicle and adding a highlight to the company’s line-up as it approaches the brand’s 20th anniversary.

The Grange is based on the Holden Caprice – itself a long-wheelbase version of the VE Commodore – and comes with twin DVD screens in the back, a tri-zone climate control ventilation system, Bluetooth phone connection and an advanced damper control system similar to that used in the latest Ferrari 599 and Audi TT.

It also gets safety features such as a stability control system and side curtain airbags. Like all long wheelbase Holdens, the Grange gets more leg room than almost every car on the market, making it a favourite with families and limousine companies. And, like all HSV models, it’s beneath the bonnet that the Grange’s appeal is strongest.

The 6.0-litre V8 delivers 307kW of power and 550Nm of torque. That’s enough, says HSV, to shift the near-two-tonne sedan to 100km/h in about 5.3 seconds, all the while thrashing out a characteristic V8 soundtrack. Not that the Grange is all about neck-snapping performance.

HSV says the Grange focuses on luxury, something it hopes will help shift the brand into the premium end of the market currently dominated by the likes of Mercedes and BMW. “This car will truly build on the outstanding sales success HSV has enjoyed over the last eight months,” says newly-appointed HSV managing director Scott Grant on day one of his new role.

“There is already a strong order bank for the new model and the HSV Grange is often cited as representing the singularly most popular repeat purchase vehicle in the HSV line-up – so we’re confident it will be well received in the marketplace

” But the Grange could be just the start of a push into more luxurious vehicles, according to Grant, who is keen to expand the performance-oriented HSV offering. “When you start talking about European buyers, we’ve probably still got opportunity to expand the product further in terms of its specification level to attract those people,” he says.

While previous Granges have included a bottle of Australia’s most famous red wine, Penfold’s Grange, such a luxury is no longer standard. However, HSV claims most dealers will “throw in” a bottle of the well-known red as a sweetener to the near-$100,000 deal.

HSV must be drinking too much of the "red". !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!