Review: HSV WK Grange (2003-04)

Overview

Released in September 2003, the HSV WK Grange was a long wheelbase, rear-wheel drive sedan. Manufactured in Elizabeth, South Australia, and finished by HSV in Clayton, Victoria, the Grange was powered by a 5.7-litre V8 petrol engine that was mated to an upgraded four-speed 4L60-E automatic transmission.

LS1 V8 engine

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 and a compression ratio of 10.0:1. For the WK Grange, changes were made to the intake, extractors and engine calibration. Specifically,

• the lower air box was redesigned with a bigger opening and the ‘zip’ tube (which directed air into the air box) had its ‘bellows’ section replaced with a tube that had less airflow resistance; and,
• new primary 44 mm pipes (previously 41 mm) were matched to the exhaust ports, the four-into-one collectors were redesigned and a 63 mm down pipe was introduced (previously 57 mm).

Dimensions and suspension

Like the WH Grange , the WK Grange was 5237 mm long, 1847 mm wide, 1459 mm tall and had a 2939 mm long wheelbase.

The WK Grange had MacPherson strut front suspension and independent rear suspension with a self-levelling function. For the WK Grange, however, the rear spring rate was revised and the shock absorbers were tuned with the same digressive characteristic as the Y-Series Senator .

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the WK Grange included dual front airbags, front side airbags, ABS, traction control, active front seat head restraints and front seatbelt pretensioners.

Brakes

The WK Grange had 330 mm by 32 mm vented and grooved front disc brakes with twin piston calipers and 315 mm by 18 mm rear vented and grooved rear discs.

As an extra-cost option, the WK Grange was available with a Premium braking package which consisted of 343 mm by 32 mm vented and grooved front brake discs with four-piston Harrop calipers and 315 mm by 18 mm vented and grooved rear discs.

Features

Standard features for the WK Grange included 18-inch alloy wheels with 235/40 ZR18 Bridgestone S03 directional tyres, a twelve speaker Blaupunkt sound system with a 430 watt amplifier, subwoofer and a six-stack CD player, dual-zone climate control air conditioning, leather seats and trim, eight-way power adjustable front seats, cruise control with speed alert, driver’s seat and mirror memory settings, DVD player with twin seven-inch rear seat LCD screens and remote control, rear parking sensors, a leather-wrapped multi-function steering wheel, remote central locking, power windows and mirrors, a height and reach adjustable steering wheel, an electrochromatic rear view mirror, trip computer, cargo net and an immobiliser.

As standard, the Grange was also fitted with a limited slip rear differential.

Related links

• Holden Special Vehicles: HSV WK Grange
• Wikipedia.org: Holden Caprice – WK
• Wikipedia.org: HSV – Y Series