- Powerful 6.0-litre LS2 V8 engine
- Cavernous interior
- Comfortable front seats
- Suspension lacks compliance
- Four-speed automatic transmission provides clunky downshifts
- Peaky power delivery unsuited to LWB saloon
- High fuel consumption
Overview
Released in October 2004, the HSV WL Grange was a rear-wheel drive, long wheelbase sedan. Manufactured in Elizabeth, South Australia, and finished by HSV in Clayton, Victoria, the WL Grange was powered by a 6.0-litre V8 petrol engine that was mated to four-speed 4L65-E heavy-duty automatic unit.
LS2 V8 engine
The all-aluminium, Generation IV 6.0-litre LS2 pushrod V8 engine had a 101.6 mm bore, 92.0 mm stroke, flat-topped pistons, cast-steel roller rocker arms, roller cam followers, coil pack ignition, two valves per cylinder and a compression ratio of 10.9:1; maximum engine speed was 6500 mm. Although calibrated to run on 95 RON premium unleaded petrol (PULP), the LS2 engine could also run on 91 RON unleaded petrol with a small loss in power.
Developments and dimensions
As with the Holden VZ Commodore range, the WL Grange had a new power steering pump, electronic throttle control and Bosch 8.0 ABS and traction control systems. Like the WK Grange , the WL Grange was 5237 mm long, 1847 mm wide, 1459 mm tall and had a 2939 mm long wheelbase.
Suspension
The WK Grange had MacPherson strut front suspension and independent rear suspension with a self-levelling function.
| Engine | Trans. | Peak power | Peak torque | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WL Grange | 6.0-litre LS2 petrol V8 | 4sp auto | 297 kW at 6000 rpm | 530 Nm at 4400 rpm |
Safety equipment
Standard safety equipment for the WL Grange included dual front airbags, front side airbags, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, traction control, active front seat head restraints, anti-submarining seat ramps and front seatbelt pretensioners.
Brakes
The WL Grange had 336 mm by 32 mm ventilated and grooved front disc brakes with twin piston calipers and 315 mm by 18 mm rear ventilated and grooved rear discs.
Features
Standard features for the WL Grange included 19-inch alloy wheels, a 430 watt Blaupunkt sound system with twelve speakers and a six-stack CD player, dual-zone climate control air conditioning, Nappa leather seats, eight-way power adjustable front seats, driver’s seat and mirror memory settings, cruise control with speed alert, front fog lamps, a front and rear parking sensors, DVD player with twin seven-inch rear seat LCD screens and remote control, leather-wrapped multi-function steering wheel, remote central locking, power windows and heated mirrors, automatically dipping mirrors when reversing, a height and reach adjustable steering wheel, an electrochromatic rear vision mirror, tyre pressure sensors, a trip computer and an immobiliser.
As standard, the Grange was also fitted with a limited slip rear differential.
Related links
- Holden Special Vehicles: HSV WL Grange
- Wikipedia.org: Holden Caprice – WL
- Wikipedia.org: HSV – Z Series
