Test drive: Holden Statesman AFM

By Stuart Martin

The Advertiser

06 January 2009

Holden says its Statesman AFM can save at least one litre per 100km fuel consumption. Photo Gallery

There aren't many bigger passenger cars than the Holden Statesman so when you say it has fuel-saving technology, eyebrows raise.

There's no EcoLine Active Fuel Management badge on this pilot-build Statesman but one of the digital displays within the instruments is telling me it's switching between four and eight cylinders.

Holden says it can save at least one litre per 100km on fuel consumption - more if there's a lot of open-road cruising; the feature will be introduced as standard on all auto-V8 Commodore models from next month.

My right foot will test that theory – a fuel economy world-record-holder I am not.

The 270kW/530Nm V8 Statesman at launch laid claim to a 14.4l/100km combined fuel use figure, which with some mid-life tweaking was down to 13.9, with 330g/km CO2 emissions - there's no official emissions figure yet but the fuel consumption claim drops to 12.9l/100km.

The V8 engines Holden have been using in the latter stages of VZ and into VE were capable of running the Active Fuel Management system.

Interestingly, the V8 remains in eight-cylinder mode at idle, but drops to four on part throttle cruising, even around town.

The change is largely imperceptible, overshadowed in this particular car by a grumpy, sporadic, part-throttle 2nd-3rd up-change that is not typical of other cog-swaps.

A 160km loop up the freeway saw the trip computer's metro-average of 16.2 (at 34km/h average speed) drop to 15.5l/100km.

The flat-road highway work only requires a fraction of the engine's output to overcome wind resistance, drag and maintain momentum.

Instead, a return trip via the hills roads - more corners, less flat bits and lower speeds - did no harm to the numbers, with the trip computer offering 15.1l/100km and the average speed was up to 40km/h.

Not quite hybrid or diesel levels of frugality, but try getting four adults and appropriate luggage from A to B with the same level of comfort and space.

As the rest alert reminder piped up on the information screen, the comfort of the seats was apparent - two hours without a stop and no numb bum or lower back complaints.

The Statesman is not quite the old codger of the Holden range but it's certainly set up to appeal to those empty-nesters who like comfort over cornering.

The five-metre pollie favourite still steers nicely but the suspension and the rubber is most certainly set up for comfort, moving around more on its underpinnings.

Once settled it corners but the lean is certainly more than the Caprice - a comfortable ride is the trade-off and it soaks bumps up without any issues.

The AFM system comes only with the six-speed automatic and there's also a drop in power and torque - down 10kW to 260kW of power and torque has been reduced from 530 to 517Nm.

It cruises quietly and even under full throttle there's only the distant sound of V8 thunder.

In terms of cabin space and metal for the money, there are not too many passenger cars under $200,000 that will provide similarly cavernous cabins.

At a little over 5.1 metres long and 1.9 metres wide, the Statesman is a mammoth vehicle, with a 3009mm-wheelbase and a commanding road presence.

The rear seat space is considerable - particularly legroom - so you'd have to get long-wheelbase examples of a Mercedes-Benz S500, Audi A8 4.2 or BMW 750i to match the grunt and the space.

The boot is quite sizeable and easily copes with a Christmas day load of presents, strollers and the like - it isn't overly deep but the length is considerable.

Of course, the Europeans have the local beaten for fuel economy - even with the AFM - but the $200,000-plus imports are also chock fuel of gear and features.

There's no standard satnav, xenon headlights, memory for the power-adjustable driver's seat, TV or DVD player or some of the other high-end features of ze Germans in the Holden.

The Statesman does get parking radar front and rear, stability control, 17in alloy wheels, dual front, side and full-length curtain airbags.

Given the size of the cabin the ventilation to the rear is a little lack-lustre, and the aircon takes a while to cool the large passenger space.

Perhaps the climate control with added grunt that is used in the Middle East export versions needs to be employed in its home market as well.

For those who still yearn for space, comfort and the ample torque of a (slightly less thirsty) V8, the long-wheelbase Holden range is a worthy addition to your garage.

Price: from $65,990.
Engine: six-litre 16-valve OHV Active Fuel Management alloy V8.
Transmission: six-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive.
Power: 260kW @ 5700rpm.
Torque: 517Nm @ 4400rpm.
Fuel consumption: 12.9litres/100km

Comments on this story

Displaying 10 of 24 comments

Page 1 of 3

A little unknown fact A C200 OR A 320I in the same price range has a Focus or Astra Sized Engine.

franz chong Posted at 08 March 2009 7:05pm

At first i was puzzled at why it runs all 8 cylinders at idle? Then I realised, who does not love the sound of a V8 at idle. Nothing like the sound of a V8, even at idle.
Good work Holden.

Dave Posted at 20 February 2009 12:36pm

“There’s no standard satnav, xenon headlights, memory for the power-adjustable driver’s seat, TV or DVD player or some of the other high-end features of ze Germans in the Holden.”

Yeh, that would be in the Caprice you ditz. Still a third of the price of the Germans.

Samuel Mir Posted at 20 February 2009 12:18am

I am intrigued by the fact that GMH Australia (Statesman/Caprice) is so far behind the rest of the world. These cars are VERY expensive to maintain. The Mercedes, BMW and Audi can be bought for less money and they are less expensive to maintain and service.
I have owned the Statesman and the Caprice until five years ago when I bought a Mercedes C180. Chalk and cheese? My word it was. The Mercedes is far more economical, just as comfortable and one-third the cost to maintain and service.
As you know, GMH and Ford fit export vehicles with modern computers, safety features and general equipment that we could only dream about. Even the export engines are better built to cope with the higher grade fuels used by almost every other country and they consume, on average, two litres per hundred less than the crap we are forced to accept here in Oz.
As for the ‘new’ technology in engine management, the Oz industry is about ten years behind the rest of the world.
By the way, Matt Melbourne, the local pub is not where you will get up-to-date information on the Australian motor industry and don’t assume that everyone is like you….still stuck in a tree and unable to walk.

Errol Morris Posted at 07 February 2009 12:24pm

Sad that not one of you guys talk about keeping jobs in Australia.

I have a Caprice 6.0L V8 and I lurrve it. 14 months and not a problem. I could have bought a cramped Bimmer or Audi for the same price… I did look at them… then I looked at the maintenance charges, lack of space and no V8 grunt.

It’s horses for courses…. if you want space and grunt AND plenty of features, as well as help employ more Australians all at a reasonable price, get a Statesman or Caprice…. if you want a shoe box with ample performance and want to be a brand snob, buy an Audi/BMW/MB.

AN Aussie of Canberra Posted at 19 January 2009 7:55pm

Why bother with a V8 these days? Ford and BMW have both proven that a turbo 6 will give you the performance of a V8 (or even better) with a fraction of the cost in fuel. Plus, due to less weight in the front, it handles better. The sooner the V8 dies and is used only in “proper” performance cars and not rubbish Commodores, the better…

Alex King of Perth Posted at 17 January 2009 10:58pm

whoopti doo! lets make a big deal because holden is using fuel saving technology that other manafacturers have been using for years. Honestly who really gives a shit! Just because it’s holden everyone makes a big deal about it! Get over it.

BM Posted at 17 January 2009 1:52pm

well, this new technology does seem all good….. but what on earth happened to Holden making V8’s that can be converted to LPG ????!!!!
it is this very reason I am still driving an older V8 (it has ABS, but not airbags due to age) as it was already converted when I bought it.
I can honestly say, Ive got the power to overtake with comfort and ease anywhere (yes, even on the freeway) and tow without any worries at all… YET - BEST PART HERE: I am getting the same economy of a corolla or similar small car (without the towing or overtaking capability).

It was a shame when Holden chose to make thier intake manifolds out of a polymer part (that can rupture under LPG use) rather than steel like in the good old days when my baby was rolled out of the factory.

rather than sink all this money into technology (which yes, can be good but its more to break down etc) why not stick to a good thing they had going for them already.

I would be happy to buy a new Holden V8 that runs on all 8, as long as it could be converted to gas to offset the extra fuel cost.

Having said that, I remain a true Holden fan…. but my next car may not be a V8…. Im now looking at the fuel consumption figures of the TD Rodeo’s.

David Ellis of Sydney Australia Posted at 15 January 2009 11:01pm

OK, so fuel prices are crippling are they? try $1.75 for PULP for a high price. Despite this I drive a VX SS Commodore. A great deal of its work is done on the highway and last time I did a long highway trip (to Uluru and back) I averaged about 8 l/100km. From a 5.7l V8!!! Despite sitting on (or slightly above) the speed limit all the way. I’d like to see the figures for a 4cyl Camry doing the same trip.
At this economy had I bought an equivalent euro as a family car which uses 1l/100km less it would take 115000km to make back the $200k+ extra I would pay for the equivalent size car for my family. Simple economics says that you’re better to pay that into an appreciating asset which I have!
Plus I kept Aussies in a job and spent as little time as possible on the wrong side of the road overtaking.
It’s sad to see all the Aussie bashing we do. The Calais and Statesman do a very good job of keeping the others honest as a value for money proposition. The big V8 is an Aussie tradition and from a fit for purpose point of view is ideal for our long straight roads.
I’ll be looking at a new car this year. Brand new VE V8 Calais V (or SS-V) vs 5 year old E500/540i. A difficult choice but warranty and the fact that it’s new (and $10k change) is probably a fairly convincing argument. Especially since the fuel economy figures are nearly identical.
We don’t all have a lazy $300k lying around. Good on the locals for providing an alternative I say. They should be praised for trying, not flamed.

Adam of Country SA Posted at 15 January 2009 1:25pm

@Matt in Melb,

I think what Thommo was trying to say is that you could by merc c200 or BMW 325 (granted not a V8) but feel like your driving a luxury car unlike recent “luxury” holdens. I used to drive Holdens till I brought my first BMW. Its true my BMW’s have been cheaper to maintain then any of my holdens (EG break service new rotars and pads holden $1200, BMW $990), and the service you get from the dealers is far better then I have got from a holden dealer. Thats just my opinion, if holden built a better car and lifted there service levels I would switch back after all I am an Aussie.

BMW Driver of Gold Coast Posted at 14 January 2009 6:27pm

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