Road Test: Holden Caprice

By Feann Torr

As the local Holden versus Ford battle heats up with the former delivering a batch of high-tech V6 engines for its new VZ stock and the latter racing up the 4x4 sales charts with its impressive Territory, what can be said of the flagship long wheel base models?

Quite a lot, really. The new WL Caprice, Holden's most expensive toy, has struck a decisive blow against its arch nemesis, the Ford Fairlane LTD.

While Ford has stuck to its guns, giving its Fairlane LTD only a minor update, Holden has dug deep to improve the 2004 model Caprice.

Not only do you get a plethora of practical gadgets, including front and rear proximity sensors, twin DVD screens, satellite navigation and satellite tracking with remote immobilisation (not to mention four wheels and an engine), but the whole package has been put together with more forethought than ever before, and the result is arguably one of Australia's best local cars.

On the topic of best cars, the Statesman has also been very popular with discerning Middle-Eastern buyers, as it took out the Saudi Arabian magazine Saudi Auto's Car Of The Year award.

Riding high on its popularity, and outselling it's Blue Oval rival, it appears that the Caprice can do no wrong, and with updated looks, a hi-tech anti-theft satellite tracking system and the choice of a 190kW V6 or a 250kW V8, Holden's fanciest car isn't resting on its laurels.

Drive

The Caprice is Holden's most expensive vehicle

Settling into the wide, soft leather seats of the cavernous Caprice, complete with eight-way electric seat adjustment, there's something about the luxo-barge's cabin that gives it a very upmarket feel.

Could it be the smooth leather steering wheel, the attractively designed instrument cluster (Holden's best yet), the quality plastics or perhaps the trio of LCD screens scattered about - one up front for the VDO Dayton satellite navigation, and two in the rear for the DVD player?

Whatever it is, I don't sit still long enough to really grasp and decipher this deluxe sensation, instead firing the meaty 5.7-litre pushrod V8 with a twist of the key.

The uneven firing order of the Gen III powerplant provides subdued, but pleasant music. The 8-cylinder mill is felt more than heard.

Right foot flexed, the almost 5.2 meter long, 1772kg limo motivates incredibly well for a car of its size, responding to throttle input markedly better than its precursor, the WK Caprice. Thank the new-for-2004 electronic throttle and a bit more poke from the engine for that.

It also has benefits from more decisive gear shift behaviour, and though I've bagged Holden's 4-speed automatic transmission in the past (citing it's slow response to increased throttle, long wait between changes and other sore points), the upgraded tranny is much nicer to use.

It's not perfect, and still isn't as good as Ford's tiptronic 4-speeder or the new 5-speed that Holden offers with the 190kW Alloytec V6, but it makes better use of the engine's 351 cubic inches of displacement than it did in 2003. Shifts are smoother, somewhat quicker, and it doesn't feels as soggy as before.

The power delivery feels very crisp and the Caprice will momentarily chirp its rear hoops from standstill with the traction control switched on, which was a nice surprise. As the revs rise, so the does the cars velocity - surprisingly rapidly - and though the V8 sound that emanates from the angular twin exhaust pipes isn't going to scare anyone, it'll still turn a few heads on a cold Sunday morning.

For it's size and weight, the Caprice is adept at rounding corners faithfully

Better yet, the suspension has been given another tweak when compared to its predecessor, and the result is a car that triumphantly defies its bulky dimensions, offering drivers reasonable feedback through the tiller, but more importantly impressive levels of grip and handling.

Bodyroll is kept to a minimum, but is felt more acutely when changing directions at speed. Nevertheless, the Caprice will hold a tight line through a corner without too much protestation.

Stomp the throttle as you see the corner straightening up and the big Holden barge responds with truck-loads of power (literally), surging ahead with a staggering amount of force.

I was taken aback by how much grip the 225/50 R17 tyres (fitted to 17-inch alloy rims) provide, as the car hangs on tenaciously - yes tenaciously - round all but the most roughly-surfaced of corners.

Maybe the car is well balanced (I doubt it), or maybe the slight suspension adjustments have unlocked the cars true potential, but on any given chunk of twisty road the Caprice offers astounding agility for a car so large. I had a lot of fun driving it hard, something I really wasn't expecting.

It should be said, however, that if you're rounding a corner at a brisk clip and there's some nasty pock marks in the bitumen or general undulations, you will be greeted with a loss of grip (despite the car's ability to soak up slow speed bumps and lumps), as the car's significant bulk gets jostled out of line. Even so, all but the severest of mid-corner moments can be remedied by minor adjustments made via the somewhat heavy steering wheel.

Sometimes the Caprice can lean on its outside front tyre too heavily round tighter corners and its massive bulk causes it to push wide or understeer, but in general the big Holden handles spirited driving very well indeed. The traction control is also a lot less intrusive in the Holden VZ/WL models, and won't rebuke your foot with forced feedback either.

When the time comes to hit the anchors, the Caprice pulls up quickly in good conditions during everyday driving, and the Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) helps apportion the braking load between the front and rear axles.

The new 17-inch wheels contrast well with the 'Phanton Mica' paintjob

When punted hard the brakes feel a little spongy at first (especially when heading deep into corners), but when working at their optimum temperature, they in fact offer fairly progressive, reassuring levels of deceleration.

It feels as though there's very little mechanical or electronic assistance accompanying the brakes (despite the inclusion of Brake Assist), but given a good footfull the brake calipers will grip hard. Brake fade does come into play after a time, but hey, it's no HSV after all.

When driven in less sporting situations, and with less unbridled enthusiasm, the range-topping Holden is equally at home - if not moreso.

Despite the sporty suspension tune, at slower speeds the long wheel based car manages to offer a quiet, supple ride, loping along with complete effortlessness and causing many 5 Series Beemers and bigger S-Class Mercs to take a glance at the hi-tech LED brake lights and menacing black paint job. "That's a Holden?"

The front and rear parking proximity sensors are a godsend for a car of this size - measuring 5193mm in length. A monochromatic rear view mirror takes the edge off high beam and bright lights at night, and the cruise control does an adequate job of keeping the speed level, though isn't the best in class.

An 11.5 metre turning circle is pretty good for a car of the Caprice's stature, and though the steering is perhaps a little too heavy when compared to its rivals, the power steering works well, able to take the stress out of shopping mall carpark navigation.

Engine

You'd think that after six years of using the same 5.7-litre Chevrolet-sourced engine, Holden would be searching for a new big-bore V8.

But if it ain't broke...

The 2004 WL Caprice gets the same Gen III V8 that can be seen in Commodore's all over the country, but has yet again been given another power hike, this time by 5 kilowatts.

The long wheel base Caprice generates 250kW at the crankshaft, and with 470Nm also on offer. That's an increase of 5Nm as well. Though it was hard to tell the difference in the lighter SS ute between the 245 and the 250kW engine tunes, the same cannot be said for the Caprice, as it feels much swifter than the 2003 model.

Whether overtaking a bus full of Nuns on the Hume, or simply gunning the throttle for the sheer pleasure of it all, the engine is much more eager to hit higher revs than before, and again the electronic throttle improves response considerably. Though it may only have 2-valves per cylinder and low-tech pushrods, the engine still offers a massive amount of acceleration, and the 4-speed auto suits the Caprice's more luxury demeanour than would the heavy 6-speed manual.

There aren't many other options in the long wheel base luxury car segment that offer an engine larger than than the 5.7-litre all-alloy motor under the long bonnet of the Caprice, unless you count the 6.0-litre V12 that comes with the BMW 760Li. But at $332,400, it's not really comparable.

Low end torque feels a bit juicier this time around, offering quicker standing starts, and as has always been the case, the engine likes to rev as well, with peak torque arriving @ 4800rpm followed @ 5600rpm by peak power. Keep the engine on song and revving hard, and the Caprice will respond decidedly rapidly.

When pushed, fuel economy suffers quite a bit, but in everyday driving situations, it isn't too bad with the upgraded 4-speed automatic gearbox. In the city, the Caprice will average about 15 litres of fuel per 100km travelled, while on the highway we got it down to about 8.6 litres at one stage.

If fuel economy is a major issue when buying, the new 5-speed auto and 3.6-litre V6 combination makes for a wise alternative at about $4500 less than the V8 model ($74,390 and $69,650 for the V8 and V6 models respectively).

Exterior

At almost 5.2 metres long and more than 2.0 metres wide (with mirrors), the Caprice is quite an imposing vehicle

Though not dramatically different to the 2003-model WK Caprice, there are slight enhancements that in my humble opinion give the car a slightly sportier, more commanding appearance.

For one, the new 6-spoke 17-inch wheels with extra 'shine' give the car a very authoritative stance, and though even-numbered spokes don't always work, in this instance they integrate rather well.

The car we tested was finished in 'Phantom Mica', or black as most people would call it.

The dark exterior paint job helps highlight the chrome trim around the window line and of course the alloy wheels as well, while at the same time lending the car a touch of menace too.

The sports bodykit, consisting of low front and rear aprons (bumpers) and side skirts is inoffensive and stops the car looking like it's perched high on its wheels.

The front end is largely unchanged, but still looks pretty neat, with lashings of chrome around the grille and on the bumper. The headlight array includes twin halogen projector headlamps (for the low beam) as well as fog lights integrated into the lower front apron, flanked by cornering lights that illuminate when the corresponding indicator is used.

At the rear of the stretched Holden, twin trapezoidal exhaust outlets help differentiate the car from the Commodore stock, and the most noticeable change from last years model is the inclusion of LED brake light clusters. Featuring five rows of LEDs, or light emitting diodes, Holden reckons they offer faster response times and thus give following cars more time to react. They also look really cool.

Interior

Supportive leather seats combine well with the smooth and supple leather steering wheel, and the instrument cluster is Holden's best yet

The first thing that hits you when venturing inside the Caprice is its sheer size. It's like steeping into the Tardis. Even with the front seats extended all the way back, rear seats passengers still have a very comfortable amount of leg room.

Though much emphasis has been placed on how the car looks from the outside, how much grunt its got and how it tracks through corners, the interior is still the piece de resistance for mine, offering occupants a veritable treasure trove of gadgets and gizmos to play with and giving them huge amounts of leg, head and shoulder room, while at the same time being cosseted by acres of supple leather.

Both front seats can be easily tailored to suit your bodyshape via the 8-way electronic adjusters located on the outside lower portion of the seats (manual lumbar adjust is also included), and offer huge amounts of leg room in almost all positions.

The driver also has 3 programmable presets to remember his seat settings and the seats themselves are big and deep, and very comfy over long distances thanks the soft leather and supportive cushions.

And while the rear seats don't have adjustability, they're almost as good as the front buckets and just as big, which is quite something (though it means the middle passenger gets sits to sit on two seat edges).

Despite the driver and front passenger having access to dual zone electronic climate control, those in the rear can override the stereo and HVAC settings via a neat little ceiling-mounted control panel, plus they even get illuminated vanity mirrors just like the front occupants. Very nice.

Furthermore, rear seat passengers also have access to the awesome twin-screen DVD system. You can plug in earphones (Holden supplied the wrong jacks with our test car) or pump the DVD sound out through the 12 speaker stereo, which is the preferred option, seeing as two subwoofers make the cut.

The idea of handing the keys to a buddy and settling in to the generous leather-clad rear seats of the Caprice to watch some über-violent flick like Kill Bill, or to take the numbness out of long highway journeys by viewing all three instalments of The Lord of The Rings trilogy is not only intriguing, but it works marvellously.

Unless the driver is going bonkers through tight corners, you will all but forget you're travelling in the back of a car when watching, and if you've got kids it's a great way to keep them entertained on long journeys too.

The satellite tracking system is also a very practical new feature in the Caprice, that when combined with Holden Assist can aid with the following:

Roadside assistance: call operator on system
SOS button: calls operator, who locates you for emergency services
Airbag deployment: location found automatically and services notified
Keys locked in: operator unlocks
Unauthorised entry: police alerted
Car stolen: tracking and immobilisation
Battery low: operator contacts driver

The leather rear seats are huge and offer enough leg room for even the tallest of passengers, while the DVD screens provide for a welcome diversion and you can even hook up a videogames console

It's a very clever system and it means that stealing the vehicle is made much harder (though not impossible), but it has also sparked much debate about the privacy of drivers and the possibility of using the vehicle tracking and remote override system in insurance or law proceedings.

As mentioned the stereo is an absolute rip-snorter. I'm not quite sure where the twin woofers live, but if you crank the bass up expect a lovely bass-driven back massage.

As far as the driver's controls and instruments go, this is Holden's best effort yet. The dials look fantastic with chrome rims and the speedo and tacho make use of a very bold and sporty - yet readable - white font.

New for the WL Caprice is a tyre pressure monitor integrated into the digital display under the main instruments.

It's a very useful function that will tell you exactly how much air pressure is in each tyre (in kilopascals), which makes maintenance a lot easier.

As a side note, it's also interesting to observe the changing air pressure as you give the Caprice a good fang, as it provides you with a very direct indication of which tyres are heating up and how rapidly it is happening.

One thing that detracted from the experience in the previous model - and hasn't been changed for the WL - is the incredibly busy stereo.

Sure, it's a Blaupunkt, and it's an incredible stereo at that, but there are way too many controls, knobs and buttons, and at night it lights up like a Christmas tree. Not exactly the distraction you want when driving after sundown.

The satellite navigation by VDO Dayton is also a very dated system that is not very user friendly. It's actually quite unfriendly, and navigating through the various options with the remote control is fiddly and time consuming.

In addition to a monochromatic (auto-dimming) interior mirror, the outside wing mirrors are electrically operated and heated to reduce fogging, while front and rear parking proximity sensors are now standard in both the V6 and V8 Caprice models.

The 530 litres of boot space will just about swallow a bungalow, but watch out for the sat-nav's DVD reader as it has a tendency to take knocks. Better placement would have been nice. All told, the interior is arguably the best that any Australian made car has to offer, and for just under $75k, you get tremendous bang for your buck. Whether sitting up front or in the back, it's hard not to be impressed.

Overall: 4.5/5

Though there are one or two quibbles to be had with the new WL Caprice, by and large it is has impressed the pants off me. From the cushy leather interior to the rear DVD player to the sorted suspension, there's a lot to like.

Though the four airbags may not cut the mustard for many buyers looking at new luxury cars, the satellite tracking system that can instantly immobilise the car, or unlock it if you've left the keys inside will warrant closer inspection for many.

Fuel consumption may be an ongoing issue for some as well, particularly as fuel prices remain above a dollar per litre, but then you could always opt for the slightly cheaper and lighter 190kW V6 option, which comes with the added bonus of electronic brake a assist (EBA) and an electronic stability program (ESP) with corner brake control. Either way, Holden's got the local long wheel base market segment well and truly covered.

Even if Ford had come out firing with a new LTD or Fairlane range, I doubt it would be able to compete with the Caprice. Holden has taken a good car and tweaked it, and the result is immediately satisfying.

In addition to being a lovely car to sit in, it's also developed its sporty persona to a level that makes it less of a cruisey limo, and more of a confident sports luxury tourer. Of course, the 250kW 8-cylinder engine also means it will always have the fire its belly, should any challenge be made to its status at the top of the Holden tree.

The WL Caprice is better than it's predecessor in many respects, and if we had a Car of the Year leader board at Wombat Motoring, this big Aussie barge would be ranking very highly indeed.