Holden Caprice — BrandWiki

Holden Caprice

Overview

Holden Caprice/Statesman

manufacturer	Holden (General Motors)
aka	Holden Statesman HSV Grange Buick Park Avenue Buick Royaum Chevrolet Caprice Daewoo Veritas Daewoo Statesman
production	1990–2017
assembly	Australia: Adelaide, South Australia (Elizabeth)
predecessor	Statesman
successor	Holden Caprice (WM)
class	Full-size luxury car (F)
body style	4-door sedan
layout	Front-engine, rear-wheel drive
platform	GM V (1990–2006) GM Zeta (2006–2017)
related	Holden Commodore Bitter Vero Buick Park Avenue CSV La Classe

The Holden Caprice is a full-size luxury car which was produced by Holden in Australia from 1990 to October 2017. The similar Holden Statesman, which was also introduced in 1990 as a model below the Caprice, was discontinued in September 2010. Between 1971 and 1985, Holden marketed their long-wheelbase sedans under the Statesman marque.

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 have been rebadged as the Buick Royaum, Daewoo Statesman, and Chevrolet Caprice. In addition, these cars have formed the basis of the Chinese-built Buick Park Avenue and the Bitter Vero, a rebodied version from Germany.

The main difference between the Statesman and the Caprice lies within their equipment packages. Moreover, Caprices are commonly powered by V8 engines rather than V6s and, whilst modern Caprices may be mistaken as fully specified versions of the cheaper Statesman, the two were separate Holden models in the past. In appearance, Caprices can be distinguished by their unique interior and exterior trim such as the grille insert. In addition to the large V8 engine, in latter years, the Caprice suspension was often more sport-oriented (from the 2003 WK series).

First generation (1990–1999)

VQ

In March 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 the Opel Omega A.[12] In comparison to the regular Commodore sedan, VQs added an additional 110 mm of length, and were still 64 mm longer than the VN wagon.

Holden made many efforts to distinguish the Statesman from the Commodore, on which it is based. 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 headlights 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.[13] 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 kW 3.8-litre 3800 V6 engine was now optional on the Statesman only, with the old 5.0-litre V8 remaining standard across the range.[14] Both powerplants were mated with a four-speed THM700R4 automatic transmission.[15]

Holden Special Vehicles offered several different versions of the VQ Statesman and Caprice, with enhanced performance and appearance. These vehicles were designated as HSV Statesman 5000i,[16] SV90 and SV93.

VR

The VR followed in March 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.[17] The engine now featured rolling-element bearings in the valve rocker arms, increasing compression ratios from the VQ II series engine.[18] The revised V6 was now standard on the Statesman and available for the very first time as an option on the Caprice. These changes combined to deliver an increase in power to 130 kW and further improvement in noise, vibration, and harshness levels.[19] In terms of equipment, a driver's airbag became standard on both the Statesman and Caprice.[15]

For the VR series, Holden no longer used separate model designations for its Statesman and Caprice.

VS

The VS, launched in April 1995, 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.[20] The Ecotec engine packed 13 percent more power, an increase of 17 kW 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.[21] 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 kW, just 3 kW below the V8,[22] though a 185 kW HSV option for the 5.0-litre V8 was available. A special edition Statesman International was briefly offered in October 1995 and again as a Series II in February 1997.[23]