HSV Grange Named 'Best Luxury Car' In New Zealand

[JoeT]

HSV Grange Wins Prestigious New Car Award In New Zealand

Holden Special Vehicles
12 March 2008
www.hsv.com.au

HSV's flagship luxury and performance vehicle, the WM Grange, has captured the best luxury car award in the Automobile Association of New Zealand's annual motoring awards.

A record 89 vehicles were judged for this year's awards. The AA undertook the first round of judging using technical information to assess fuel consumption, safety, carbon emissions and other features. A second round of judging by a panel of expert judges took place last month, with vehicles being tested both on and off-road and using the Taupo Motorsport Park racetrack.

AA spokesperson Ms Stocks said of the WM Grange "the judges described the Grange, valued at $NZ97,990, as spacious, smart, well-appointed and the V8 engine delivers incredible power. It was also the best value for money in the Luxury Car class."

Fellow judge, Dave Moore said “this big Aussie is a credit to Holden Special Vehicles, and an embarrassment to German offerings costing twice as much.”

WM Grange is also available in Australia and priced from $82,990.

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

[MrJamesMc]

Well good for Holden then.
We Americans envy the fact we don't get any form of the Holden flagship sedan. It is good to see it out-do an import. (I consider Holden domestic for New Zealand.)

[EldoFan]

Wouldn't the HSV Senator qualify?? Or is that a lil too 'sporty' ?

[BBDOS CV8]

The Grange is the range-topper, longer than a 7-series. It has the extra knicknacks like tri-zone aircon, a DVD screen in each front seatback rather than one folding one in the roof and enough space in back for a New York governor and all his favourite escorts! The Senator is more a personal executive luxury missile and has differently-callibrated MRC to the GTS, firm and overly firm rather than very firm and racetrack.

It is named after Penfold's Grange Hermitage, which sells for ~ $100 a bottle for a vintage a couple of years old, and $20,000 for 1953 vintage. They used to come with a presentation box in the boot (trunk).

The wine is nearly immortal, takes at least ten years (fifteen-twenty in some cases) to approach it's best and you can take it back to regular exams where Penfolds will test it, advise you how soon to drink it, and top it off with fresh wine before recorking it.



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penfolds_Grange

[mikmak]

Here is another 1992 vintage grange:

[roteague]

It is quite a car, I saw one at the Sydney Auto Show a couple of years ago (see Avatar). Wish they sold them in the US.

[muayyadf1]

That would make a very good Impala SS

[mmciau]

Originally Posted by muayyadf1

That would make a very good Impala SS

No it wouldn't. It is too well appointed to be an Impala

Mike

[RedVee8]

Originally Posted by BBDOS CV8

The Grange is the range-topper, longer than a 7-series. It has the extra knicknacks like tri-zone aircon, a DVD screen in each front seatback rather than one folding one in the roof and enough space in back for a New York governor and all his favourite escorts! The Senator is more a personal executive luxury missile and has differently-callibrated MRC to the GTS, firm and overly firm rather than very firm and racetrack.

It is named after Penfold's Grange Hermitage, which sells for ~ $100 a bottle for a vintage a couple of years old, and $20,000 for 1953 vintage. They used to come with a presentation box in the boot (trunk).

The wine is nearly immortal, takes at least ten years (fifteen-twenty in some cases) to approach it's best and you can take it back to regular exams where Penfolds will test it, advise you how soon to drink it, and top it off with fresh wine before recorking it.



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penfolds_Grange

Not to forget........
http://www.stgeorge.org.au/news/static/article_300.asp

The Grange Restaurant.
St George and Penfolds..... Both Famous for their Reds and their Whites

NEWS
WINEMAKERS' DINNER11 April 2008
St George Leagues are proud to host our Winemakers' Dinner on Friday 11th April featuring Wynns wines and guest speaker. This is always a popular event so book now to ensure your seat.

There is an excellent range of wines, fabulous food, free gift for every guest plus a mystery wine contest with prizes.
'THE GRANGE'

[teamkiwiracing]

A side note the SV6 took out the Large Car of the Year. They reckon that the more you drive it the more you appreciate the how good it really is compared to its rivals.

[FenwickHockey65]

Originally Posted by muayyadf1

That would make a very good Impala SS

It really would, but I'd like to see the Impala with an American design rather than just something brought over from Australia. I really like this car, and I think it'd be great for some applications (Park Avenue or something), but it just wouldn't do for the Impala.

[CmicasatheGreat]

Originally Posted by muayyadf1

That would make a very good Impala SS

HECK NO... with a reworking on the exterior and refinement on the interior... and the 6.2L OHV... it would make a great Cadillac XLS

[Olds88]

Originally Posted by muayyadf1

That would make a very good Impala SS

That would make a perfect Buick Roadmaster.

[asylum]

Originally Posted by muayyadf1

That would make a very good Impala SS

it already does.... just in the middle-east and called a Caprice, but it has the Impala badge on the rear

the version they get is less equipped than our statesman, but the SS Caprice does look very sexy

[Astra RL]

This should be the Lucerne super not a 292HP front wheel drive boat