IN a climate where large cars are coming under increasing fire, it’s ironic that Holden has spent so much giving us a Statesman/Caprice range able to compete globally at levels it has never attained before. Not only do the new long-wheelbase Holdens stand alongside top-shelf Europeans with equal poise and presence, they also offer tantalizingly-close levels of quality and dynamic ability. Then you look at the prices and you realize that these cars, compared on just about any basis you like, are stunningly good value. The standard equipment, even at base Statesman V6 level as tested here, is impressive, the drive experience is impressive and the interior space is simply enormous. The Statesman delivers everything that a big, locally designed and built car should.
Holden WL Statesman
Released: August 04
Ended: September 06
Family Tree: StatesmanHolden's WL Statesman/Caprice was the swansong in a long-wheelbase VT Commodore-based sedan range that dates back to the WH of June 1999, when it replaced the VS Series III Statesman. The WL Statesman introduced the 190kW/340Nm version of Holden's 3.6-litre Alloytec V6 (with five-speed auto) and was also available with a 245kW/465Nm version of Chev's Gen III 5.7-litre V8 (with four-speed auto). The WL Caprice offered a 250kW/470Nm version, but tighter 2006 emissions laws saw the Gen IV 6.0-litre V8 replace it for the first nine months of this year.
Road Test
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