The $1m Road Test: HSV Grange vs BMW 750Li, Audi A8, Lexus LS460 & Mercedes-Benz S500

[JoeT]

The $1m Road Test

Glenn Butler & Drive Team
29 June 2007
www.drive.com.au

The HSV Grange limousine is named after a fine wine that competes on the global stage. How does Australia's most expensive sedan compare with the best from Europe and Japan - including the World Car of the Year? Glenn Butler and the Drive team find out.

In sport, business or the arts, Australians pride themselves on their ability to compete with overseas rivals.

An Australian has run Ford's global empire, another is the boss of Jaguar and Land Rover. So Australians have the talent to run multinational car companies - but can an Australian company build a world-class car?

The new Holden Commodore was designed and engineered locally but by the time General Motors is finished, Australia's biggest-selling car will be exported to almost every continent - as well as forming the basis for several other models which, when combined, could reach an annual sales tally approaching one million.

But what about luxury cars, where the emphasis is more on refinement, quality and prestige, rather than the most metal for the money? Holden's performance car division, Holden Special Vehicles, believes its latest model, the Grange, is Australia's first globally competitive luxury car. HSV says Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz are direct rivals.

The new Lexus LS460, too, wishes to compete with the world's best and the Japanese limousine was recently crowned the World Car of the Year.

So, with the arrival of the new HSV Grange and Lexus LS460, we also gathered the best from Germany for a global comparison. Three continents, five cars, all up worth $1 million. Well, $988,430 to be exact but by the time on-road costs are calculated, the value of our fleet comfortably stretches into seven figures.

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Holden Special Vehicles Website
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HSV To Take On Europe's Finest & May Even Release It's Own Models, Say New Boss

HSV Grange (above) and BMW 750Li, Audi A8, Lexus LS460 & Mercedes-Benz S500

[paul8488]

What's interesting, in looking at the pictures, is that none of those cars are out and out gorgeous. I mean I love the classic lines of the Grange, and the curves of the Mercedes... but none are really all that stunning.

[hrtmaloo]

The stand out is the audi for me, theres something about the simplicity of the design

Still i would have the grange just because im biased

[lightbrotha2004]

The Grange and the Audi are the stand outs to me. The Audi is just stunningly beautiful and the Grange is strong and sexy with its crisp clean lines.

[Olds88]

Is it me or does the LS look like a knock-off of the Mercedes?

[guitarlix]

As far as exterior design goes, my favorite is the S550. I hated it in the beginning but I love the design now. It really stands out.

As far as the interior is concerned, I'd pick the LS460's, not for design, but simply for comfort and luxury.

[guitarlix]

Originally Posted by Olds88

Is it me or does the LS look like a knock-off of the Mercedes?

It's you. The LS looks NOTHING like the Merc.

[gotz_otto]

Originally Posted by Olds88

Is it me or does the LS look like a knock-off of the Mercedes?

I have always thought that Lexus and older Acuras looked a lot like Mercedes. Lexus still makes cheap knock off looking Mercedes.

[MonaroSS]

Originally Posted by paul8488

What's interesting, in looking at the pictures, is that none of those cars are out and out gorgeous. I mean I love the classic lines of the Grange, and the curves of the Mercedes... but none are really all that stunning.

That's because these cars and the vehicles they are based upon are all designed to appeal to a wealthier class of person such as businessmen.

You don't see businessmen walking around in grey business suits with curvy red lapels on them. They, like most of the car buying public, like stuff that doesn't stand out but can be intellectually recognised as a good buyers choice. Toyota understands this, so do BMW, Benz, Audi and Holden. But GMNA and some of the fan boys on this site who keep complaining about Plain Australian Design, and call for Bold American Design, don't get it. And that is why Cadillac just hasn't made it as a world brand. It's too Bling.

[BigAls87Z28]

That is a bad picture of the S550. I was such a fan of the last gen 7 series...but now its just fat and bloated.
The Audi A8, in person, is a sexy looking car. Its not very outlandish, but just a very classy looking sedan.
The HSV looks great up front, but the tail lights KILL the crap out of this car!! Just blah!! Just very boring and basic. I wish that they did a bit more with the rear.

[smk4565]

I think the Lexus is the best car there. Not at all surprising that they called the Holden unrefined, had low build quality and lack of equipment. That happens when you put a dressed up family sedan with a big pushrod against the world's best. The A8 looks really bland, looks like a Passat.

The 7-series is getting a pretty big update soon, with a twin turbo V8 as well, the new 7 will probably be in the 410-500+ hp range, so that will take care of the speed problem.

[smk4565]

I think Cadillac could build a better looking car than any of these. The Escalade is too much bling, but Cadillac has better design than any of those cars, if they do their style in an elegant and classy way, I think they can have the best looking car in the class. Then it is the 1000 other details that need to be done right.

[guitarlix]

Originally Posted by smk4565

I think Cadillac could build a better looking car than any of these. The Escalade is too much bling, but Cadillac has better design than any of those cars, if they do their style in an elegant and classy way, I think they can have the best looking car in the class. Then it is the 1000 other details that need to be done right.

Yes, after seeing the execution of the 08 CTS, I definitely believe that Cadillac could be on the top of this segment.

[hunchman]

Originally Posted by paul8488

What's interesting, in looking at the pictures, is that none of those cars are out and out gorgeous. I mean I love the classic lines of the Grange, and the curves of the Mercedes... but none are really all that stunning.

you're right and what's more interesting if you throw the CTS in there it by far looks better and more unique than this bunch

[hq308]

Originally Posted by smk4565

I think the Lexus is the best car there. Not at all surprising that they called the Holden unrefined, had low build quality and lack of equipment. That happens when you put a dressed up family sedan with a big pushrod against the world's best. The A8 looks really bland, looks like a Passat.

The 7-series is getting a pretty big update soon, with a twin turbo V8 as well, the new 7 will probably be in the 410-500+ hp range, so that will take care of the speed problem.

Are you serious? You refer to the Grange as "a dressed up family sedan" yet you say the Lexus is the best car there, what do you think the Lexus is, a glorified Camry!