| Manufacturer | Holden (General Motors) |
|---|---|
| Also called | Holden Statesman Buick Park Avenue Buick Royaum Chevrolet Caprice Daewoo Veritas Daewoo Statesman |
| Production | 1990–present |
| Assembly | Elizabeth, South Australia, Australia |
| Predecessor | Statesman |
| Class | Full-size |
| Body style | 4-door sedan |
| Layout | Front-engine, rear-wheel drive |
| Platform | GM V (1990–2006) GM Zeta (2006–present) |
The Holden Caprice is an automobile which has been produced by Holden in Australia since 1990. The similar Holden Statesman, which was also introduced in 1990, was discontinued in September 2010.
Between 1971 and 1984, Holden marketed their long-wheelbase sedans under the Statesman marque. The Statesman and Caprice are essentially long-wheelbase variants of the Commodore range, and as of 2006, were the largest rear-wheel drive sedans offered by GM. Internationally, Statesmans and Caprices are sold as the Buick Park Avenue, the Chevrolet Caprice and the Daewoo Veritas. Previously, Statesmans have been badged as the Buick Royaum and Daewoo Statesman.
The main difference between the Statesman and the Caprice lies within their equipment packages; Caprices are commonly powered by V8 engines rather than V6s, and whilst they may be thought of as fully specified versions of their cheaper Statesman siblings, the two were separate Holden models by this period. Appearance wise, Caprices can be distinguished by their unique interior and exterior trim such as the grille insert.
Traditionally in Australia, the Statesman and Caprice have been direct rivals to the Ford Fairlane and LTD, respectively. However, Ford's decision to discontinue these models in 2008 has left Holden without direct competition at pricing point occupied.
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It was the right car at the wrong time. A few years later people woke up to the fact that the WB was one of the best big Holdens of all time, and the values of used examples took off with a lion’s roar.
Prior to the introduction of the Holden Statesman and Caprice models in 1990, Holden marketed its long-wheelbase range through a separate Statesman marque, absent of all "Holden" branding.[2][3] These original vehicles, were sold through the General Motors-Holden's dealership channel, and were based on the mainstream Kingswood/Premier range, offering more luxury, additional length, and styling to differentiate it from the smaller donor cars.[4] The first of such cars were introduced in 1971 as the HQ series Statesman, replacing the short-lived Holden Brougham.[5] Subsequent HJ, HX and HZ models were updates to the original HQ bodywork,[6] as was the final WB series which introduced a new six-window glasshouse.[7] WB represented the most significant update yet, with only the front doors and bonnet common with the HZ sheetmetal.[8] Notwithstanding these alterations, the WB fell short of great market success, that is, until 1984 when production cessation was announced, generating a rapid sales ascent. For Holden, the decision had been made—the line’s discontinuance was perpetual.[9]
In 1990, after a six-year hiatus since the WB Statesman's dismissal, demand for a long-wheelbase luxury sedan in Australia saw Holden resurrect the Statesman and Caprice names. Given the model designation VQ, these new luxury models utilised the long-wheelbase chassis taken from the VN Commodore station wagon, as opposed to the VN sedan's short-wheelbase. These VN models were in turn heavily revised and enlarged versions of Opel Omega A.[10] In comparison to the regular Commodore sedan, VQs added an additional 110 millimetres (4.3 in) of length, and were still 64 millimetres (2.5 in) longer than the VN wagon.
Holden made many efforts to distinguish the Statesman from the Commodore, of which it is based on. These features include a formal grille and a very different glasshouse reminiscent of contemporary GM products such as the Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme (see image), and the rear license plate repositioned to the bumper, while incorporating the doors and lights from the Commodore station wagon. Both Statesman and Caprice models were offered and equipped with independent rear suspension—a feature introduced one year later on high-end VP Commodores.[11] Also in 1991, Holden introduced the VQ Series II models. The Series II Caprice ushered anti-lock brakes as standard, however it was optional on the Statesman. The Commodore's 127-kilowatt (170 hp) 3.8 litre 3800 V6 engine was now standard on the Statesman, with the old 5.0 litre V8 reserved for the Caprice, becoming an option on the Statesman.[12] Both powerplants were mated with a four-speed THM700R4 automatic transmission.[13]
The VR followed in 1994, mirroring the model change of the standard VR Commodore, incorporating engineering improvements as well as sheet metal changes. The updated running gear included a new electronically controlled version of the GM 4L60-E automatic transmission, and the latest revision of the Buick 3.8 litre V6 engine.[14] The engine now featured rolling-element bearings in the valve rocker arms, increasing compression ratios from the VQ II series engine.[15] These changes combined to deliver an increase in power to 130 kilowatts (170 hp) and further improvement in noise, vibration, and harshness levels.[16] In terms of equipment, a driver's airbag became standard on both the Statesman and Caprice.[13]
For the VR series, Holden no longer used separate model designations for its Statesman and Caprice. Instead, they adopted the same two-letter title as the Commodore. This same principle applied for the VS models, but not for those succeeding it.
The 1995 VS saw the introduction of the updated Ecotec (Emissions and Consumption Optimisation through TEChnology) version of the Buick V6 engine which coincided with the changes to the engine in the United States.[17] The Ecotec engine packed 13 percent more power, an increase of 17 kilowatts (23 hp) over the VR. Holden mated the new engine with a modified version of the GM 4L60-E automatic transmission, bringing improved throttle response and smoother changes between gears.[18] Series II and III revisions came in September 1996 and June 1998, mainly consisting of a more rounded rear treatment and new alloy wheel designs. The Series II also heralded the introduction of the L67 Supercharged V6. This engine slotted in between the existing V6 and V8 engines and was officially rated at 165 kilowatts (221 hp), just 3 kilowatts (4.0 hp) below the V8,[19] though a 185-kilowatt (248 hp) HSV option for the 5.0 litre V8 was available. A special edition Statesman International was briefly offered in 1995,[20] and the Statesman now became the donor car for the HSV Grange.[21]
For the Statesman, Holden included the ten-stack Compact Disc player from the VR Caprice as standard. A new two-stage door remote was also made standard across the range. The remote, located on the key fob allows for just the driver's door to be unlocked. Safety-wise, a passenger airbag was introduced as standard in the VS range, following the introduction of a driver's airbag on the VR series.[17] The Used Car Safety Ratings, undertaken by the Monash University Accident Research Centre, found that first generation Statesmans (VQ–VS) provide an "average level" of occupant safety protection in the event of an accident.[22]
The next model came in 1999, two years after the launch of the all-new VT Commodore from which the new WH was based.[23] The WH series saw Holden return to a standalone model designation, rather than adopting the same used by the short-wheelbase Commodore. Models followed much the same pattern as the previous car: a standard Statesman, a special edition Statesman International, and the Caprice.[24] The doors and front windscreen were again shared with the mainstream Commodore. Engines were a 3.8 litre V6 Ecotec unit, a supercharged version of the same, and a new 5.7 litre Generation III V8, rated at 220 kilowatts (300 hp).[23] A Series II revision in 2001 brought a 5-kilowatt (6.7 hp) power increase for the Ecotec V6 bringing it up to 152 kilowatts (204 hp).[25] Since the WH, which was engineered for both right- and left-hand drive, the Statesman has been exported to the Middle East as the Chevrolet Caprice, following the same model changes as the Holden.[26]
Compared to the previous model, stability improved through the use of wider tracks and a longer wheelbase. The use of self-levelling rear suspension brought advantages when hauling heavy loads and improved vehicle dynamics when towing.[27] Safety in the WH model was also enhanced, with the addition of side impact airbags and pyrotechnic seat belt pretensioners as standard. If the seat belt pretensioners trigger, the doors automatically unlock and both engine and fuel pump shut down.[28]
A revised WK series was launched in 2003, with a facelift. The curvaceous front and rear end styling of the WH was abandoned in favour of angular lines, starting with the headlights borrowed from the VY Calais. From the rear, the redesigned taillights were now separated by sheet metal, rather than being joined with a horizontal strip of plastic.[29] The redesign had the after effect of lowering the WK's drag coefficient to 0.30.[30] Other changes came in the form of revised bumpers, wheel trims, with the interior dashboard and centre console receiving a major overhaul. Powertrains carried over from the previous model, but the Generation III V8 engine was now rated at 235 kilowatts (315 hp) for the Statesman and 245 kilowatts (329 hp) for the Caprice.[29] Other engineering changes were made to the structural integrity of the car. The reinforced front flooring and sills gives the upshot of a 70 percent reduction in lower limb injuries in offset frontal crash tests at 60 km/h (30 mph).[30]
Feature wise, the Statesman now offered standard rear parking sensors and optional satellite navigation, with the Caprice receiving the latter as standard along with a dual screen DVD entertainment system for the rear passengers. Also new to the WK are the electric wing mirrors, which when reversing, the passenger mirror faces downwards to assist the driver when parking, thus preventing kerbside wheel damage.[31] The Used Car Safety Ratings found that WH/WK Statesmans provide a "significantly better than average" level of occupant protection in the event of an accident.[22]
Released in 2004, the WL brought with it an all-new 3.6 litre Alloytec V6 engine, succeeding the WK's Ecotec unit. Power and torque figures were rated at 190 kilowatts (250 hp) and 340 newton metres (250 lb·ft), respectively. The Statesman's optional V8 was the 245 kilowatts (329 hp) version from the WK Caprice, with the WL Caprice's engine obtaining a further 5 kilowatts (6.7 hp). The V8s retained the four-speed GM 4L60-E automatic transmission, while the Alloytec V6 versions received a new five-speed GM 5L40-E automatic. Several new safety features were added to the WL lineup. Such include brake assist, electronic brakeforce distribution, Electronic Stability Program and LED tail lamps. The new LED lamps give an additional 5 metres (16 ft) of warning to trailing motorists travelling at 110 kilometres per hour (68 mph) because they illuminate in 60 nanoseconds, compared to 1,000 for conventional incandescent light bulbs.[32]
In 2005, General Motors began exporting the Statesman to China, where it was badged as the Buick Royaum. The Royaum was initially equipped with the 3.6 litre Alloytec engine fitted to the Statesman, however a 155-kilowatt (208 hp) 2.8 litre version of the same followed later in the year.[33] During 2005, Holden exported almost 2,000 units to South Korea.[34] With an identical powertrain to the Buick, the South Korean export model was sold through the GM Daewoo network and marketed as the Daewoo Statesman.[35]
The third generation WM was launched alongside the VE Commodore on 16 July 2006 at the Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre. With the Statesman's export plans, it was decided that its launch should be simultaneous with that of the Commodore, rather than months later, as had been the convention.[36] The WM development programme reportedly cost General Motors A$190 million with another $1.04 billion devoted to the VE Commodore model which the Statesman is based upon.[37] The WM series utilises the GM Zeta platform developed by Holden. Unlike previous models, the WM no longer shares its architecture with an Opel sedan,[38] and has rear doors different to those found on the Commodore.[39] Previously, it had to share the doors, or at least the lower parts, with the lesser Commodore. This is just one of the ways Holden has tried to create greater differentiation between the Statesman and the Commodore on which it is based.[40]
Like the second generation model, the WM is exported to the Middle East as the Chevrolet Caprice. In China since 2007, the sister model had been produced as the Buick Park Avenue, mainly using locally sourced parts and sharing some globally sourced parts.[41] Holden recommenced Caprice exports to South Korea in 2008 as the Daewoo Veritas after showcasing a pre-production Daewoo L4X in 2007.[34] Compared to the Australian-specification model, the Veritas is V6-powered only and has a modified rear floorpan to accommodate the electrically adjustable rear seats incorporating a massage function. The headrests are also electrically adjustable, with the Caprice's dual headrest-mounted LCD screens orphaned in favour of a single, ceiling-mounted unit.[42] GM Daewoo announced an updated Veritas on 31 March 2009 to take effect from 1 April. The update, which was yet to be seen in other markets, comprised a revised powertrain combination, featuring a new direct injection version of the 3.6 litre Alloytec engine. This new engine results in a power increase from 185 kilowatts (248 hp) to 204 kilowatts (274 hp) together with more torque and a reduced fuel consumption figure. These efficiency improvements have been enough to satisfy the government of South Korea's "Korea Ultra-Low Emission Vehicle" (KULEV) requirements. In place of the five-speed automatic transmission previously, these revised models ship with a six-speed GM 6L50[43] unit, featuring Active Select.[44]
The update to the Veritas in South Korea was adopted in the Holden versions for the 2010 model year (MY10). This update was announced on 4 August 2009, and released in September.[45] The now direct-injected 3.6 litre V6, labeled Spark Ignition Direct Injection (SIDI) by Holden, is rated at 210 kilowatts (280 hp) for power and 350 newton metres (260 ft·lbf) for torque.[46] Gains in efficiency have been achieved via the implementation of direct fuel injection, improvements to the fuel cutout during coasting, the addition of a more efficient alternator and voltage regulator, a 50 rpm lower idle speed (to 550 rpm), and a new "turbine damper" for the automatic transmission that works to suppress vibrations at low rpms, thus enabling earlier upshifts.[47]
In 2010, Holden made the decision to discontinue the Statesman nameplate, instead reducing the price of the upmarket V6 Caprice and filling the gap once occupied by the Statesman.[48] This coincided with the release of the "Series II" versions of the WM Caprice (replacing Statesman), and the introduction of the Caprice V (replacing Caprice).
Books
Journals
Official sites:
Unofficial sites:
| List of Holden vehicles † HQ–WB Statesmans not marketed under the "Holden" brand, but rather the separate "Statesman" brand. |