HSV WM.I Grange (2007-09)

Overview

Released in May 2007, the HSV WM Series I (WM.I) Grange was a rear-wheel drive, long wheelbase sedan. Manufactured in Elizabeth, South Australia, and finished by HSV in Clayton, Victoria, the WM Grange was initially powered by 6.0-litre LS2 V8 petrol engines that were mated to six-speed 6L80E automatic transmissions. In April 2008, however, the 6.0-litre LS2 V8 engine was replaced by the more powerful 6.2-litre LS3 V8.

LS2 and LS3 V8 engines

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. For the E-Series, the LS2 engine introduced a recalibrated engine control module (with a ‘limp home’ mode) and new tubular extractors which fed into a twin-exhaust system with four outlet pipes.

Compared to the LS2 engine, the 6.2-litre LS3 V8 engine had a 103.25 mm bore (stroke was unchanged at 92.0 mm), a stronger block, higher-flow cylinder heads and injectors, hollow-stem intake valves, new pistons, a more aggressive camshaft with 14.0 mm lift, a new intake manifold and a lower compression ratio of 10.7:1. As a result of the LS3’s introduction, the six-speed automatic transmission was also recalibrated for faster gearshifts.

Dimensions

Compared to the WL Grange , the WM Grange was 84 mm shorter (at 5153 mm), 52 mm wider (1899 mm), 16 mm taller (1475 mm) and had a 70 mm longer wheelbase (3009 mm).

Suspension and Magnetic Ride Control

The WM Grange had MacPherson strut front suspension and independent, four-link rear suspension. Like the E-Series GTS and E-Series Senator , however, the WM Grange suspension included a ‘Magnetic Ride Control’ system which utilised magneto-rheological fluid in the monotube dampers. When activated by an electric current, the viscosity of the fluid would change, enabling damping rates to be varied according to conditions and driver behaviour.

HSV WM.I Grange specifications
	Years	Engine	Trans.	Peak power	Peak torque
WM.I Grange	2007-08	6.0-litre LS2 petrol V8	6sp auto	307 kW at 6000 rpm	550 Nm at 4400 rpm
WM.I Grange	2008-09	6.2-litre LS3 petrol V8	6sp auto	317 kW at 6000 rpm	550 Nm at 4600 rpm

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the WM Grange included dual front airbags, front side airbags, full-length curtain airbags, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control, active front seat head restraints and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters.

Brakes

The Grange had 356 mm by 32 mm front and 350 mm by 26 mm rear ventilated and grooved disc brakes with four-piston AP Racing calipers (front and rear).

Features

Standard features for the WM Grange included 19-inch ten-spoke alloy wheels with 245/40 R19 front and 275/35 R19 rear tyres, limited slip differential, eleven speaker sound system with six-disc CD player and MP3-compatibility, three-zone climate control air conditioning, Nappa leather upholstery, ten-way power adjustable front seats with memory settings, cruise control with speed alert, front fog lights, rain-sensing wipers, bi-xenon headlights, DVD player with dual rear seat screens and infra-red headphones, remote central locking, power windows and heated mirrors, anti-glare rear view mirror, a tilt and reach adjustable steering wheel, 12 volt power outlets, tyre pressure monitoring, a trip computer, an alarm and immobiliser.

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