Review: HSV WH Grange (1999-03)

HSV WH.I Grange (1999-01)

Overview

Released in June 1999, the HSV WH Series I (WH.I) Grange was a long wheelbase, luxury sedan. Manufactured in Elizabeth, South Australia, and finished by HSV in Clayton, Victoria, the Grange was available with 3.8-litre supercharged V6 and 5.7-litre V8 engines.

Engines

Of the engines,

• The cast-iron, 3.8-litre L67 pushrod V6 engine was fitted with an Eaton Generation III M90 supercharger, had a 97 mm bore, 86 mm stroke, two valves per cylinder and a compression ratio of 8.5:1. In September 2000, however, the supercharged engine was discontinued; and,
• The all-aluminium 5.7-litre LS1 pushrod V8 engine had a 99 mm bore, 92 mm stroke, flat-topped pistons, two valves per cylinder, a compression ratio of 10.0:1 and a 6000 rpm redline. For the HSV range, there was also a 57 mm stainless steel big bore extractor exhaust system which fed into 1.8-litre low back-pressure catalytic converters and low-restriction HSV mufflers. From October 2000, peak power increased by 5 kW to 255 kW as the LS1 engine was fitted with a redesigned inlet manifold, fuel injectors and reprogrammed engine management software for a flatter torque curve.

The four-speed 4L60-E automatic transmission was fitted as standard for both engines.

Compared to its VS predecessor, the WH Grange was 248 mm longer (at 5237 mm), 53 mm wider (1847 mm), 4 mm lower (1459 mm) and had a 113 mm longer wheelbase (2939 mm).

Dimensions and suspension

The WH Grange had MacPherson strut front suspension and independent rear suspension with semi-trailing arms. Furthermore, the WH Grange had HSV’s ‘Prestige’ suspension tune, specially-developed Monroe Sensatrac shock absorbers, a 27 mm front anti-roll bar, a 16 mm rear anti-roll bar and a self-levelling function for the rear suspension.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the WH.I Grange included dual front airbags, front side airbags, ABS, traction control and front seatbelt pretensioners.

Brakes

The standard braking pacakge for the WH Grange consisted of 296 mm by 28 mm vented front brake discs and 286 mm by 16 mm solid rear discs. However, the WH Grange was also available with –

• HSV’s ‘Performance’ braking package which consisted of 330 mm by 32 mm vented front brake discs with two-piston PBR calipers and 315 mm by 18 mm vented rear discs; and,
• HSV’s ‘Premium’ braking package which consisted of 343 mm by 32 mm vented front brake discs with four-piston Harrop calipers and 315 mm by 18 mm vented rear discs.

Features

Standard features for the WH.I Grange included 18-inch ten-spoke alloy wheels with 235/40 ZR18 Bridgestone S02 tyres, a 260 watt sound system with ten speakers and a six-disc CD changer, climate control air conditioning, eight-way power adjustable front seats, leather upholstery, cruise control, front fog lights, leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, remote central locking, power windows and mirrors, a height and reach adjustable steering wheel, driver seat and mirror memory settings, an electrochromatic rear view mirror, trip computer and an immobiliser.

The Grange was also fitted with a limited slip rear differential.

HSV WH.II Grange (2001-03)

Overview

Released in September 2001, the WH Series II (WH.II) Grange introduced additional features and subtle cosmetic updates. Visually, the WH.II Grange could be identified by its body-coloured grille; inside, there were also new seats and a combination wood/leather steering wheel.

Brakes

As standard, the WH.II Grange fitted with HSV’s ‘Performance’ braking package as standard, which consisted of 330 mm by 32 mm vented front brake discs and 315 mm by 18 mm vented rear discs. 

Features

Compared to its WH.I predecessor, standard features for the WH.II Grange were extended to include a ten-disc CD changer and rear parking sensors.

Related links

• Holden Special Vehicles: HSV VT Grange
• Holden Special Vehicles: HSV VX Grange
• Wikipedia.org: Holden Caprice – WH
• Wikipedia.org: HSV – VT