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.

[mcnews]

The Grange has great presence, I always look thrice when seeing one. Would be a lovely car to have.

[vztrt]

[GTP-814]

the front end shot looks a lot like a camry at first glance

[BOSHOG]

they ruined the best vehicle in their lineup with those driving lights

[T3ts50]

It doesn't like to bad in these CGI's (compared to the spy shot). I'll wait til I see one in the flesh before i judge on the looks as most HSV's have grown on me after not liking them at first.

Self parking IMO is an uneeded gimmick.

[4dlvr]

front bar looks silly, big let down

[Road_Warrior]

Originally Posted by BOSHOG

they ruined the best vehicle in their lineup with those driving lights

Exactly.

Pity they couldnt have left it looking the same but with the 325kw V8 and the other features.

But I wonder where the 33kg has come from??

[galaxy xr8]

The more I see the new design the more it remind's me of the Mercedes E Class M.

[BLUEYBA]

it looks like it has a double chin

[Brazen]

If any car ever needed self-park it is LWBs Holdens which are some of the longest passenger cars on the road.

If the Grange has it, you can bet the upgraded Caprice will have it too.

Self Park, Keyless Entry, Xenon headlights, LED tailights, headrest mounted DVD screens, touch screen control centre. The Caprice and Grange are very compelling argument against the Euros.

The Aussie cars have always been dynamically competitive but have missed out greatly on features (compare Falcon G6E to Mondeo Titanium, the Falcon with its features is almost embarassing in comparison), hopefully we will see the Aussie cars adopting more and more tech.

[seduced_xr]

what ever happened to parking the car yourself? no wonder theres so many **** drivers on our roads.

[blueoval]

liking the LVI option.

[galaxy xr8]

Originally Posted by Brazen

If any car ever needed self-park it is LWBs Holdens which are some of the longest passenger cars on the road.

If the Grange has it, you can bet the upgraded Caprice will have it too.

Self Park, Keyless Entry, Xenon headlights, LED tailights, headrest mounted DVD screens, touch screen control centre. The Caprice and Grange are very compelling argument against the Euros.

The Aussie cars have always been dynamically competitive but have missed out greatly on features (compare Falcon G6E to Mondeo Titanium, the Falcon with its features is almost embarassing in comparison), hopefully we will see the Aussie cars adopting more and more tech.

Exactly and that is the market that HSV is eyeing of.

[Scott]

Nice, not a fan of the fluoros strapped on them but I still love the Grange.

[Chopped]

I just want to say "The Stylist" renders rock ! TOP JOB, You DA MAN

As for the designs - Meh.

[Deco28]

My dad ca barely move his neck and parallel parks his MY10 Caprice in seconds. Damn people learn to drive.

Though, this new feature, is a good advertising ploy.

The CGI's seem to have the front bumper protruding alot more then the spyshots from WHEELS.

[Bud Bud]

This type of car and it's price tag has always suffered from that fact that it is, wait for it, still just a Holden. That means many including most on this forum don't care for it and would never buy one anyway.

The market HSV are pitching it at know this as well. To choose one of these over an equivalent Audi, Beemer or Benz does not happen too much in the real world as one of the reasons that the Euro luxury car market even exists in this country in the first place is because they are not Holdens or even Falcons for that matter. People choose the upmarket Euros for the experience regardless whether the Holden or even the Ford offer better value for money. People choose the more expensive Euro's because, well they can.

And Holden and HSV needs to be more in tune to this. They will need to become more international if they want to be taken seriously at the top end. One way of gaining a higher profile for Holden could be as simple as introducing these cars into Europe as a LH drive wait for it, not Vauxhall, not a Buick or even a Chevrolet but a Holden. They have it already set up so cost now is minimal. Holden could easily launch it's own name into Europe which could be marketed much the same way that Toyota market Lexus. HSV the same as AMG. This could be niche marketed and should be a GM initiative and not just Holden and HSV one. These cars would be fantastic and indeed right at home on some of the autobahns in Germany alone. They would need to improve things like plastics etc but volume would ensure that these measures would be affordable and could be improved. The end result is that the Commodore would improve overall as well.

If Holden ever eyed of the medium to top end market in Europe then I think that they really could make significant inroads in time, provided that the product and quality are right.

Bud Bud

[Brazen]

Originally Posted by Bud Bud

This type of car and it's price tag has always suffered from that fact that it is, wait for it, still just a Holden. That means many including most on this forum don't care for it and would never buy one anyway.

The market HSV are pitching it at know this as well. To choose one of these over an equivalent Audi, Beemer or Benz does not happen too much in the real world as one of the reasons that the Euro luxury car market even exists in this country in the first place is because they are not Holdens or even Falcons for that matter. People choose the upmarket Euros for the experience regardless whether the Holden or even the Ford offer better value for money. People choose the more expensive Euro's because, well they can.

And Holden and HSV needs to be more in tune to this. They will need to become more international if they want to be taken seriously at the top end. One way of gaining a higher profile for Holden could be as simple as introducing these cars into Europe as a LH drive wait for it, not Vauxhall, not a Buick or even a Chevrolet but a Holden. They have it already set up so cost now is minimal. Holden could easily launch it's own name into Europe which could be marketed much the same way that Toyota market Lexus. HSV the same as AMG. This could be niche marketed and should be a GM initiative and not just Holden and HSV one. These cars would be fantastic and indeed right at home on some of the autobahns in Germany alone. They would need to improve things like plastics etc but volume would ensure that these measures would be affordable and could be improved. The end result is that the Commodore would improve overall as well.

If Holden ever eyed of the medium to top end market in Europe then I think that they really could make significant inroads in time, provided that the product and quality are right.

Bud Bud

Good thoughts, the idea of Holden (or HSV) developing its own brand has even been bandied about in the US - Holdens being available at select Chevy or Cadillac dealers. These Holdens would have to be expensive premium performance niche machines as Holden does not have the resources to develop a full range. The cars would mirror the range in Australia and would stand out like nothing else on the roads around US and Europe.

I also think Japan could be a lucrative market for cars like the HSV Grange - big, brash, powerful and foreign. The wealthy Japanese would gobble them up like they have with Corvettes, Hummers and V8 Rovers.

[mik]

i wonder if the self park takes notice of traffic comeing from behind/overtaking? i can see some bent panels coming up if it does`nt, its a feature we should do without imo, if you can`t park a car you should not be driving.

[glavas]

Originally Posted by Bud Bud

This type of car and it's price tag has always suffered from that fact that it is, wait for it, still just a Holden. That means many including most on this forum don't care for it and would never buy one anyway.

The market HSV are pitching it at know this as well. To choose one of these over an equivalent Audi, Beemer or Benz does not happen too much in the real world as one of the reasons that the Euro luxury car market even exists in this country in the first place is because they are not Holdens or even Falcons for that matter. People choose the upmarket Euros for the experience regardless whether the Holden or even the Ford offer better value for money. People choose the more expensive Euro's because, well they can.

And Holden and HSV needs to be more in tune to this. They will need to become more international if they want to be taken seriously at the top end. One way of gaining a higher profile for Holden could be as simple as introducing these cars into Europe as a LH drive wait for it, not Vauxhall, not a Buick or even a Chevrolet but a Holden. They have it already set up so cost now is minimal. Holden could easily launch it's own name into Europe which could be marketed much the same way that Toyota market Lexus. HSV the same as AMG. This could be niche marketed and should be a GM initiative and not just Holden and HSV one. These cars would be fantastic and indeed right at home on some of the autobahns in Germany alone. They would need to improve things like plastics etc but volume would ensure that these measures would be affordable and could be improved. The end result is that the Commodore would improve overall as well.

If Holden ever eyed of the medium to top end market in Europe then I think that they really could make significant inroads in time, provided that the product and quality are right.

Bud Bud

that would be good but wont happen. holden already send the statesman to the UAE as a chev same with the ss to south africa and hopefully if this police deal goes through holden can send the caprice to america for civilins

[Brazen]

Originally Posted by mik

i wonder if the self park takes notice of traffic comeing from behind/overtaking? i can see some bent panels coming up if it does`nt, its a feature we should do without imo, if you can`t park a car you should not be driving.

It basically swings and straightens the car perfectly into the spot, the system also tells you if the car park is big enough for the car. In Malaysia I was a passenger in a Golf GTI with this and it picked up car parks I would have thought too small and would of driven past - it is a fantastic system and very eerie to see in action. Go on Youtube to look at some of the Park-assist videos, Ford has it on some Lincolns in the US.

To answer your question, the driver has to be aware of his surroundings and park the vehicle where it is safe to do so. The system still has reverse sensors and cameras to allow the driver to monitor what is happening behind him.

Its very sci-fi to see working, I feel that it is something which would mess up a lot but apparently its a pretty reliable system.

[phillyc]

Almost certain that self parking requires Electric Power Assisted Steering.

Haven't heard EPAS being on the agenda for the next Commodore. So, can't see this getting up and running without that happening first.

Yes, they uglified it in the name of bling...

[FPV8U]

Not a Fan, but then again the only LWB Sports Sedan i have liked was/is the E55/63.

[hawke]

We have the selfpark on a Mercedes. The best part of it is that it measures the parking space, and then lets you park very quickly. The accuracy is quite amazing. When you have park often in the inner west of Sydney, it is very handy. I thought it was a **** when it came with the car, but have become a convert.

[Franco Cozzo]

Imagine doing your license test in something with park-assist.

Examiner: Here we're going to do our low speed maneuver, do a reverse park here.

Kid: No problems *presses button, lets go of wheel*

[XRtowcar]

Rice.
Front bar looks like it designed by a Hyundai designer on LSD.

[buggo]

Originally Posted by Road_Warrior

But I wonder where the 33kg has come from??

They took away its classy looks and self respect

[KR1STO]

Originally Posted by Big Damo

Imagine doing your license test in something with park-assist.

Examiner: Here we're going to do our low speed maneuver, do a reverse park here.

Kid: No problems *presses button, lets go of wheel*

haha.
What happens if in 10 years this becomes a standard feature in cars...?

[Ryan]

Does it also come with an assist button to push it off a cliff aswell?

Disappointed in HSV lately. GTS engine is good, but styling.....uhhhh yeah.