By EWAN KENNEDY
6 November 2006

The new models based on the Holden VE Commodore just keep on coming. The latest being the just announced HSV Grange, a long-wheelbase sports model with a leaning in the direction of full-on luxury.

Previewed at the Sydney motor show, the new-generation Grange is an uprated version of the WM series Holden Statesman and Caprice. Holden had surprised everyone by introducing its LWB models at the same time as the VE Commodore, rather than a year or more later as had been the precedent.

The reason being simple; Holden has big plans for exports of the long-wheelbase variants, particularly to the Middle East so brought its plans well forward to suit the insistent demands of that booming market.

HSV quickly got onto the bandwagon – and the result is the new Grange. Though it has gone on public display at Sydney, it won’t go on sale until early in 2007. In the meantime we wouldn’t be surprised if queues are already forming outside HSV dealers.

Grange uses the HSV-designed variant of the famed LS2 V8 engine. As with E Series HSV short-wheelbase models, the engine displaces 6.0 litres and produces a sporting 307 kilowatts, 410 horsepower, and 550 Newton metres.

Mated to a six-speed automatic transmission with tiptronic-type overrides, the big V8 engine, similar to the one used in the Chevrolet Corvette, is sure to provide plenty of punch to suit the needs of buyers.

Keeping the punch under control is a sporting suspension featuring Bridgestone tyres on 8.0-inch wheels at the front and 9.5-inch rears. The 10-spoke alloy wheels have a diameter of 19 inches and contain big ventilated disc brakes developed by AP Racing in conjunction with HSV, they have a Bosch ABS system.

Final control of the sports suspension is by way of HSV's new MRC dampers that change their characteristics by altering the flow of the hydraulic fluid by magnetically altering its properties – hence the title MRC, or magnetic ride control.

Electronic stability is there for the times when the driver is over ambitious or isn’t enough paying enough attention to what they are doing.

The frontal appearance of the WM Holden has been further toughened up by the use of all-new HSV styling. This has highlights in chrome and that bright material is also used as a detail in the window surrounds.

Inside, there's a tasteful leather trim that can be specified in either dark or light material to suit the external paint shades and/or the desires of the car’s owner.

HSV chief, Phil Harding, says the Grange is, "one of the fastest luxury/sports limousines in the world … we will sell it at a price that will make overseas competitors blush".

That price won’t be announced until the new Grange is launched sometime in the first quarter of 2007, but is anticipated to be under $90,000.