KEY POINTS:
I've been guilty of poking fun at Holden's latest luxury sedan, the Caprice (aka the WM-series).
Ever since the launch of the new flagship four-door, the Australian carmaker has insisted that the Caprice is not merely a stretched Commodore: instead, it's intended to be a stand alone prestige model that can be regarded as a genuine rival for higher-priced European executive cars.
I've been reluctant to regurgitate this marketing misdirection. The Caprice has unique exterior styling and some bespoke interior elements (instruments, centre console, seats), but it's based on an extended version of the VE Commodore platform, utilises VE suspension systems and is powered by the VE's 6.0-litre V8 engine and six-speed automatic transmission. Let's call a Commodore a Commodore.
But let's not be dominated by the badging semantics, because the big Caprice really is a good thing. You could argue whether Kiwi buyers really require a Holden this big: the Caprice really only exists because there's a market for tens of thousands of rebadged examples each year in the Middle East, China and South Korea.
But accept that it's here and you have to concede that the Caprice certainly makes a virtue of its size. The long tail could easily look ungainly, but Holden has turned what could be awkward proportions into a styling asset in the Caprice.
With the long dash-to-axle measurement, massive wheelbase (at 2939mm, the same as a the VE ute) and sweeping window line, the Caprice looks ridiculously sexy for a car of this size.
That long wheelbase gives limo-like rear legroom, which is as handy for Kiwi kids as it is for Korean heads of state. Ditto the brilliant DVD screen/headphone setup and separate air conditioning climate zone for the back seats.
There's delight in some of the cabin details, like the high-quality leather upholstery and grunty Bose sound system.
But despite some bespoke cabin bits, the impression of the interior architecture is overwhelmingly a dressed-up Commodore, right down to the big panel gaps and cheap-feeling plastics. It's acceptable, but not particularly elegant or sophisticated.
The performance is a tad unsophisticated too - but in a nice way. The V8 engine is a pretty rorty thing and the six-speed gearbox is well set up, although it still suffers from classic-Commodore hesitation-and-whine in very low-speed shifting.
Massive dimensions or not, the Caprice certainly handles. The steering is good, the chassis is well balanced and if you're worried about the amount of road a 5.2-metre long sedan might take up if it accidentally slides sideways, don't: as with the entire VE Commodore range, the Caprice has a cleverly calibrated stability control system as standard.
It's a lot of car for the money. At $79,990 it's more than $7000 cheaper than the old car, which isn't that relevant because Holden New Zealand sold hardly any.
Especially if you don't count the Corporate Cabs. At the time of writing, around 150 Caprices had been registered in New Zealand (10 times the average yearly figure for the old WL-series) and only two were taxis. So it's off to a pretty good start.
On paper, the Caprice compares astonishingly well with European sedans. For $80k you'll only get something very small from Audi, BMW or Mercedes-Benz - probably with a four-cylinder engine and certainly with a lot less equipment.
Go shopping for a powerful V8 sedan with loads of rear legroom among the same brands and you'll have to spend at least twice as much. But those cars are also in a different league for fit/finish and engineering integrity: I'll bet a BMW with 11,000km on the clock wouldn't be creaking and groaning over every urban bump. Our Caprice test car certainly was.
So Caprice may not quite be the giant-killer Holden would like to think; it's just a bit rough around the edges for that. But on a value-for-money basis it's an incredible machine, with looks to die for, loads of executive toys on board and a driver-pleasing chassis.
Caprice is not a top-tier luxury car. But it is a deeply impressive flagship for the award-winning VE Commodore range. There's nothing wrong with that.
WE LIKE: Gorgeous looks, presence, power, equipment.
WE DON'T LIKE: Cheap cabin materials and that it doesn't wear its kilometres well.
THE FACTS
Basic price: $79,990.
Options fitted: None.
Price as tested: $79,990.
Warranty: 3 years/100,000 km.
POWERTRAIN AND PERFORMANCE
Engine: 5967cc petrol V8.
Power: 270kW at 5700rpm.
Torque: 530Nm at 4400rpm.
Transmission: 6-speed automatic, rear-drive.
Performance: 0-100km/h 6.0 seconds.
ADR fuel consumption: 14.4 litres per 100km.
SAFETY
Active driver aids: Anti-lock braking with force distribution and brake assist, traction and stability control.
Passive restraints: Front, side and curtain airbags, five lap-sash seatbelts.
ANCAP adult occupant crash test rating: Not tested.
VITAL STATISTICS
Wheels and tyres: 18-inch alloy wheels, 245/45 tyres.
Length: 5160mm.
Height: 1480mm.
Width: 1899mm (excluding mirrors).
Wheelbase: 3009mm.
Kerb weight: 1966kg.
Boot volume: 535 litres.
Fuel tank: 73 litres.
