Holden Statesman and Caprice 2006 Review

OVERVIEW
One-eyed xenophobia definitely isn't a prerequisite for acknowledging that the new Statesman and Caprice are the latest and largest reasons to be glad there is an Australian motor industry. Although closely linked to the VE Commodores, the two long wheelbase WM models showcase local talent in super-size scale at an impressively upmarket level. And they'll do so beyond our shores to growing markets from New Zealand to the Middle East and way beyond.

These are cars that honestly say Australia can build 'em big and build 'em good.

While the Statesman and Caprice wouldn't exist without the Commodore connection, the physical relationships between the long wheelbase WM duo and the short wheelbase VE family are further separated than ever before. This time, for example, the long-wheelbase (LWB) program had its own $190m design and development budget over the amount it absorbed naturally from the VE's $1 billion allocation.       

While the Statesman and Caprice share the VE's mechanical elements, and stretch the borrowed basic platform, they use relatively little of the body and almost nothing of the interior. The WM body has 43 panels of its own, including longer rear doors which refute the previous compromise where filler panels occupied the lwb's extra length behind standard rear doors.

Holden insiders joke that the only visible evidence of cross pollination is in the Commodore front doors, and that only exists because that section of the design got approved when chief designer Mike Simcoe had a day off.

Be that as it may, it's obvious that Holden's talented design team deployed considerable skills in creating this imposingly handsome car, just as the engineers' expertise is self evident in the maturity and refinement of the driving dynamics.

To say the WM is a world-class car isn't gilding the lily. It's that good, and has to be of course, because it's bound for world markets.

Whether bearing Holden or other GM-brand badges, more than 82,000 LWB Holdens have been exported to China, South Korea, New Zealand and several Middle East  countries since 1999. Last year alone, the LWB WL models were Holden's biggest export with 27,000 units shipped, or more than seven times the number sold here; even with which Holden again easily led the local big-car class.

It's worth remembering that the Statesman and Caprice aren't some johnny-come-lately overnight success. There's 35 years of tradition behind them. The Statesman nameplate debuted in 1971 with Holden's first LWB models, and was joined by Caprice in 1974. Including those originators, there have been 12 LWB series prior to the new WM.

FEATURES
The models' pecking order is reflected in their pricing, with the Statesman at $58,990 or $62,990 according to V6 or V8 powertrain. That's roughly $2500 more than the outgoing WL models, which seems not unreasonable considering the upgraded specification and equipment levels. However, the Statesman's thunder is perhaps muffled by the Caprice V6 and V8 at $65,990 and $69,990 respectively. This means, the V6 asks $4700 less than the WL version while the new V8 undercuts the old price by $5400.

Although the Statesman and Caprice have much in common, they aim for quite different corners of the prestige market. The Statesman leans towards comfort whereas the Caprice brings sport into the equation.

Badges excepted, the two are most easily told apart at a glance by their respective grilles, wheels, headlights, front fog lights, and various items of sparkly body jewellery.

Both have power mirrors, power windows, keyless entry, multi-function steering wheel, climate control, two-way wheel adjustment, cruise control, front and rear park assist, rain sensing wipers, trip computer, speed warning, full size spare wheel, Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity, six-disc CD stacker, leather trim and many other 'surprise and delight' goodies.

However, the Caprice goes further with 18-inch wheels, Bi-xenon headlamps, tri-zone climate and 10-way front seats (with three memory settings) to Statesman's 17s, projector headlights, dual-zone climate and eight-way front seat adjustability.

Besides softer leather, tyre pressure monitoring, heated mirrors and superior audio system, the Caprice also includes a sunroof and rear passenger DVD player with twin LCD screens built into the front headrests; optional for Statesman.

MECHANICAL
The most visible mechanical difference is that Caprice has 245/45R18 tyres on five-spoke alloys where the Statesman's shod with 225/55R17 tyres on 10–spoke alloys. Different brakes are also specified, not by model but by engine. The V6s are arrested by 298mm front, and 302mm rear, ventilated rotors, whereas the V8s' discs have 22mm extra diameter. Either way, they have the same two-piston front calipers and single-piston rears.

Although not visible, the cars' ride and handling characteristics are noticeably different. The Statesman's suspension is the softer of the two -- all the better for comfortingly absorbent ride -- whereas the Caprice's suspension is slightly firmer and more disciplined all round for adroit handling's sake.

Both powertrains duplicate the VE Commodore's. Thus the 3.6-litre High Output V6 offers maximum power of 195kW at 6500rpm and maximum torque of 340Nm at 2600rpm. It requires regular 91 RON fuel and is teamed with a five-speed automatic transmission. The 6.0-litre V8 peaks with 270kW maximum power at 5700rpm and 530Nm maximum torque at 4400rpm in conjunction with a 98 RON diet and a six-speed automatic.

Outwardly, the V6 is distinguished by dual exhaust outlets, and the V8 by double duals.

COMFORT
These are comfortably, roomy cars by any measure. Speaking of which, the 3009mm wheelbase extends 70mm beyond the previous (WL) mark, yet the new body's 5160mm overall length is actually 32mm shorter. The track widths and overall breadth have also grown appreciably.

Yet while the cabin is effectively no larger than before (it has actually lost a few millimetres here and there), its ample space is used more comfortably thanks to very inviting seats, especially in the Caprice with its soft-touch leather facings and deeper side bolsters.

In both models the large rear bench is sculpted for good back and under-thigh support while affording more than enough leg length and headspace for big and/or gangly occupants.

Besides having enough adjustability in the seat and wheel to achieve a driving position as commanding as it is supportively comfortable for hours on end, the driver is very well catered to with an office that presents crisp, clear instrumentation and thoughtfully organised controls.

It helps the cars' cause, visually and functionally, that the attractive instrument cluster, dash panel, and centre stack are specific to the WM models; not carried over from Commodore.

SAFETY  
Since size is safety in many threatening situations, the Statesman and Caprice have such bases well covered.

The foundations for the WMs' crash worthiness are laid with the body structure which is outstandingly strong and rigid thanks to sophisticated design and increased use of high strength steels. At the same time, it's efficiently impact-absorbent to reduce crash severity as far as possible.

Together with the short wheelbase version, the new design underwent around 5000 virtual crash-barrier tests, and 79 actual impacts to prove its efficacy.

The WMs' active safety aspects are highly developed with responsive handling dynamics, electronic stability system, traction control, anti-lock braking system and electronic brakeforce distribution all standard equipment.

Besides having firmer pedal feel and claiming increased fade resistance with reduced noise and vibration, the WMs' new tyre/wheel/brake packages are said to shorten minimum stopping distances by about five per cent, against the WLs'.

The passive contribution to safety includes front (dual stage), front-side and full-length curtain airbags, front belts' height adjustment, pretensioning and load limitation, also active front headrests.

COMPETITORS 
Competitors? Depends how you look at it. Caprice's newly lowered pricing has to be influential, not only through shifting Caprice closer to Statesman, but also tipping the balance farther from the Chrysler 300C and leaving Ford's once proud Fairlane and LTD with distinctly shabby prospects.

If  nothing else, the Fairlane and LTD illustrate the commercial dangers of insufficiently differentiating related short and long-wheelbase models.

Coincidentally, the pricing adjustment has the stated aim of increasing Caprice's share of Holden's LWB sales from 20 per cent with WL, to at least 50 per cent for the WM.

Moreover, the WM models lift the game to a point where (if not for badge snobbery, perhaps) they arguably upstage like-priced European and Japanese imports for value, roominess, features and long-haul driveability.

ON THE ROAD
Drive one WM after the other and it's obvious that the Statesman and Caprice have discernibly different feel and natures. That's exactly as Holden intends because, as those responsible explain, there's no point in having them drive so alike that they cause identity crises.

So, next to Caprice, the Statesman feels altogether softer in the suspension and lighter in the steering. At speed, it changes direction a little less promptly than the Caprice and a little less incisively while developing a touch more understeer and body roll. That said it still imparts a sense of steadfast balance and well-planted confidence.

You get the sense that while the Statesman certainly doesn't object to being hurried along winding country roads and dispatching long stretches of highway in quick-time without being at all flustered, it prefers loping along at slightly more relaxed cruising gait. All the the better to smooth the road and enjoy the journey.

Good as the Statesman is in all respects, the Caprice is the better bet for those to whom the drive is as important as the destination. The Caprice sits a bit lower than the Statesman, has moderately firmer ride, more disciplined body control and a touch more weight in its steering. It points accurately, sits fairly flat and carries itself with deserved confidence.

Whatever the road, Caprice's handling has surety, balance and responsiveness not often associated with cars of this size and weight, let alone at this price. Given its due, the driving performance is truly impressive, particularly with the lusty V8 under the bonnet.

But either way the WM re-writes the rules and expectations for large prestige cars. A BIG success, however you view it. With one eye, or wide-open two…