2010 HSV Grange to get self park, weight loss in updates

[Road_Warrior]

This is from Caradvice, Don't know how accurate the claim is (because it's Caradvice), but here it is:

http://www.caradvice.com.au/74691/20...ark-spy-shots/

Despite HSV keeping tight wraps on its E Series 3 range, the CarAdvice spies can bring you exclusive images and details about the new model from the Australian powerhouse.

After exclusively revealing photos of the E Series 2 range of HSVs in August 2009, we are able to bring you images of the E Series 3 Grange. While we can’t publish the original images, these computer generated images show a revitalised Grange that has now also succumb to the LED treatment.

HSV sources suggest the E Series 3 HSV Grange will feature the same 325kW powerplant as its GTS sibling, bringing it to the top of the power tree alongside the GTS. The Grange also benefits from a 33kg weight reduction, expected to make it fractionally faster in unison with the 325kW power-plant.

The reason E Series 3 has arrived so soon after the E Series 2 is due to the new interior set to feature across the entire VE Commodore Series 2 range (can be seen in our previous expose here). Styling modifications to the rest of the HSV range are expected to remain relatively minimal, with the interior benefitting from the bulk of the changes.

The most exciting feature to make its way to the Grange will be self parking technology, according to sources, similar to that seen in the Volkswagen and Lexus range of vehicles. Developed by Siemens VDO (the same German company that was tasked with developing the new VE Commodore Series 2 interior), the self parking technology is called Park Mate and has been in development since 2005.

If the technology, as seen fitted to the vehicle photographed, makes it into the production specification HSV E Series 3 Grange, it will be the first car to utilise the technology from Siemens VDO.

The telling signs of the technology are two additional parking sensors on the front and rear bumper bars. The deeper cut ultrasonic sensors on the front bumper bar are mounted to the edges to allow the vehicle to turn into a parallel park without touching the vehicle in front. The rear, deeper cut ultrasonic sensors are used to identify the size of an empty park and indicate to the driver that it’s an appropriate size for the vehicle.

To activate the system, a driver will slow as they approach an empty parking space. They will engage the system by a button in the vehicle and creep past the space until the car indicates it is big enough to park the vehicle. The driver then manually engages reverse gear and modulates the speed of the car using the brake, allowing the car to steer unassisted into the parking space.

CarAdvice spoke with HSV Media Manager, Mark McCartney about the technology and whether it will makes its way into production. McCartney told CarAdvice:

Unfortunately I cannot comment on any new technology that may or may not be included in our forthcoming MY11 range of vehicles.

Although HSV neither confirms nor denys the system will be used in the 2011 E Series 3 Grange, it is evident that it’s fitted to the test vehicle and would be all too much of a coincidence that Simens VDO, who developed the technology, are also the creators of the Commodore Series 2 interior multi-function display.

The technology would make for an exciting coup in Australian motoring.

Also expected to be available at launch of the HSV E Series 3 range is HSV’s Liquid Petroleum Injection (LPI). HSV claims the system will allow customers the ability to continue reaping the performance advantages of their 6.2L V8, in addition to saving money at the bowser.

I'm really not that fussed about the self-park feature. I'm more interested in the Grange now getting the 325kw motor, and where the 33kg of weight savings has come from and whether or not it will be carried throughout the rest of the range.

The Grange was one of my fave luxo-barges but now they have ruined its look with that stupid front bar treatment. Sad face.