Holden WM Caprice 100,000Km Road Test.
Value for money
The WM Caprice V6 five speed auto costs $65,990 – $4,700 less than the previous model. The V8 six speed auto (tested here) costs $69,990 – a $5,400 price drop on the previous model.
Standard equipment
The Caprice is absolutely loaded, with an equipment list that rivals some $200,000 cars. It includes front/front seat side/curtain airbags, ten way power adjustable sports seats, upholstered in leather/suede; six stack Bose premium audio, remote control three screen DVD, tri-zone automatic air, visual/audible front/rear park assist, MP3 and Bluetooth connectivity, rain sensing wipers, bi-xenon headlights, tyre pressure monitoring, full size spare.
Options: sunroof $1,690; roof racks $269; satellite navigation $1,990.
Retained value
Big, locally made luxury sedans have traditionally had average resale values, and they have been further hit by rising fuel prices, how ever for a fully optioned WM Used Holden Caprice V8 version around 4 years old expect to pay just under $35,000 from Used Car Dealers Adelaide. Check out the Used Caprice Adelaide for Sale and on Special at Used Cars Adelaide.
Design and function
The Caprice’s dash layout is formal and functional. Holden has wisely resisted a cursor / menu approach to the central controls; the buttons are big, clearly marked and the screen is legible. Most basic audio/trip computer functions can also be performed with buttons on the wheel. Less logical is the carryover three part trip computer display on the instrument panel. Why have three when one will do? Otherwise, the instruments are fine. There’s unlimited leg room, and the wheel is adjustable for height and reach. Plenty of storage is available handy to the driver. Although the Caprice is undeniably a big car, it’s not intimidating from the driver’s seat. Vision is OK, apart from thick front pillars, a problem in many sedans today.
Development
The Caprice is built on an extended VE Commodore platform. It has a 94 mm longer wheelbase.
The body is much stiffer, stronger and safer than previously. Contributing to this are single piece side panels, 81 per cent of the structure being in high strength steels, a new front end module and 5000 “virtual” barrier tests to optimise the body’s crash energy absorption efficiency.
However, the new Caprice is also much heavier. It weighs 1840 (V6) to 1890 (V8) kg.
Safety
The Caprice has not yet been crash tested by NCAP, but it must surely come close to being the first locally manufactured five star car.
Stability control is included as standard, along with active head restraints.
Comfort
The Caprice has one of the most comfortable driver’s seats in the business. Heavily bolstered, the sports-style seat is generously padded, has 10 way power adjustment, and will deposit you after a 1000 km drive in excellent shape.
Space and practicality
Unlimited is the word to describe back seat space. The seat itself is shaped for two, firmly padded, and you sit low, an impression amplified by the high window sills. On hot summer days you’ll also cop some sun, as the seat back is partially under glass. The Bose sound system is a beauty, and the kids will think the back seat DVD player is the best thing about the car. Back seat passengers also get their own air conditioning, with vents in the centre console and on the floor.
The boot floor is big enough to play a grand final on. New cantilevered hinges replace the intrusive hook hinges on previous models. A 60/40 split fold rear seat back extends capacity, and a full size alloy spare is under the floor.
Build and finish quality
Excellent on first impression, and a big step up from previous Commodore / Caprice standards. The new Caprice copies the sleek, expansive, understated elegance currently de rigueur in top end European sedans like the Mercedes S Class. You even get real aluminium trim on the dash! The Caprice cabin certainly feels like $70,000 worth. That said, the complex array of trim pieces around the dash and doors don’t always align precisely, so Holden has some way to go before it catches the likes of Lexus.
On the road
Fuel efficiency
Expect 10-11 litres/100 km on the highway, and 19-23 litres/100 km in town from the V8. Premium is recommended, but regular won’t hurt the engine.
Performance
The 3.6 litre V6 produces 195kW of power at 6500 rpm and 340Nm of torque at 2600 rpm (on 91 octane unleaded). The 6.0 litre V8 produces 270kW of power at 5700 rpm and 530Nm of torque at 4400 rpm (on 98 octane premium unleaded.)
The V6 has more than enough performance by any objective measure, but let’s face it – 99 per cent of buyers will want the V8. The Caprice is made for it. The 6.0 is worth the $4000 extra spend. Although you’re never in doubt that it is pulling a heavy mass, it delivers effortless, relentless performance, no matter what the revs or road speed.
It gets the Caprice from rest to 100km/h in just over six seconds, so irrespective of brand or price this is one of the fastest luxury sedans on the road. On the highway, at 100km/h in sixth, the V8 is ticking over at just above idle, a pace it will hold all day, across most terrain.
When cruising, the six speed auto is quick to kick down a gear, and very responsive to pedal movement. When this much weight is involved, that’s appropriate, but the GM six speed is occasionally a bit too eager to downshift.
The GM transmission doesn’t quite have the full throttle kick down smoothness, or instant engagement, of the ZF unit used in some other luxury cars. It slightly slurs full throttle up shifts, as insurance against all the torque it’s dealing with.
In Sport mode, its programming really does try to work with you on a tight, winding road, where it holds and shift gears in a very aggressive manner. Sometimes its mapping suits your intentions, and sometimes it doesn’t. That’s the way with adaptive automatics, no matter how clever they are. You can always use manual shifting if you want complete control.
Ride
The ride is firm, yet compliant and able to smoothly and quietly absorb most impacts. That said, ride comfort is entirely subjective and some may find the Caprice not quite supple enough.
The Statesman has a softer, more comfort-oriented suspension tune, along with higher profile tyres. Sharp bumps can give the Caprice’s front end a hard hit. However there’s no bounce or float, so back seat passengers shouldn’t get queasy – a common problem in big luxury cars.
Handling and steering
Suspension (MacPherson strut front/multilink rear), steering and braking systems are from VE, calibrated for the heavier long wheelbase models. Standard Wheels on the Caprice are 18 inch alloys with 245/45 Bridgestone RE050A tyres, running high (36psi) pressures to improve fuel consumption.
The Statesman has 17 inch alloys, with 225/55 Bridgestone Turanza tyres.
As with the VE Calais, Holden fits the luxury long wheelbase Caprice with lowered, sports-tuned suspension. It complements the stronger body, relocated steering rack (now forward of the front axle line) and new brakes to raise the dynamic ability of these luxury variants to the point where they are genuinely competitive with any comparably sized European sedan.
Despite its size and weight, the Caprice is easy to drive confidently on our patchy country roads. On undulating surfaces, and when cornering, the increased body rigidity is clearly evident, the spring/damping rates deliver outstanding control over body movement and the Bridgestones offer strong grip.
The steering is vastly improved over previous models. It’s light, precise and consistent. The Caprice turns in with the responsiveness and accuracy of a smaller car.
Braking
As with the steering, the new brakes are light years ahead of the previous models. Power, progression and pedal feel are excellent.
Smoothness and quietness
Holden has gone to great lengths to minimise noise, vibration and harshness in the cabin, and the Caprice is a quiet, relaxing place to be. Until it hits its straps, the 6.0 is fairly unobtrusive. As revs rise, it starts to do make deep, throaty V8 noises – the sort V8 buyers like to hear – through quad tailpipes.
Summary
The Statesman/Caprice are still the dominant used models in the Australian luxury car market. Increased availability and affordability of Used Holdens Adelaide have made them excellent value for money.
However while there’s some justification for the view that these big sedans are automotive dinosaurs, there is no denying the outstanding value for money, driving enjoyment and wonderful long distance ability of a car like the Caprice. It exemplifies the “big car for a big country” adage.
Used Car Finance Adelaide is also available to customers wanting to take advantage of the Used Cars in Adelaide, South Australia and Australia online. Finance is available on all of the cars for sale, and trade ins are welcome from Adelaide Used Car Dealers.
