HSV Grange 2004 Review

Bolted into the engine bay of the WL Grange is the all-American 6-litre LS2 engine.

It measures the heart and soul of HSV's latest loud limo that now cranks out 297kW of power and 530Nm of torque.

What the engine change – 285kW 5.7-litre LS1 to the 6-litre stonker – means is more might for HSV's power-hungry customers.

It goes hard, is loud and retains the comfort, space and luxury of previous incarnations.

Down low there is heaps of torque and the equipment has been upgraded to cope with the extra loads. Here we have a bigger tailshaft, differential and axles.

All are engineered in proportion with the extra weaponry of the LS2.

Hooked up to the hydramatic HXD 4L65E heavy duty four-speed automatic, the powertrain retains grace at low speeds as well as a fair deal of refinement at pace.

Gear changes are smooth and unfussed. It stays well behaved when on the rampage or when forced to fold into crawl mode in heavy traffic.

On this test the WL Grange needed just under three tanks in a week travelling between Brisbane and the Gold Coast with the average consumption reading at 13.8-litres/100km.

Thirsty yes. But this is hardly a small capacity, lightweight saloon.

It loves to be driven hard and is comfortable in most conditions.

A bit of diesel splashed on a wet roundabout and the Grange breaks traction simultaneously at both ends but it is slow-motion stuff and the four-wheel slide of the long-wheel-base lasted for a second or two before it gripped again.

The Grange retains its unmistakable pace and grace character of previous versions with the exception that it probably does everything just a little bit better these days.

It gains the performance braking system of 330mmx32mm ventilated and grooved discs up front and 315mmx18mm at the rear with the front HRT red calipers embossed with the HSV logo.

The Grange comes extremely well-equipped and is loaded with safety gear including active front head restraints and seatbacks.

There is the standard 12-speaker sound system with subwoofers and a not insubstantial 430watts of power.

Toys for the kids in the back include the DVD system with dual LCD screens and a remote control unit.

And the Grange is the only car in the HSV range that comes with the Holden Assist facility (three-year subscription) as standard.