Holden Caprice 2006 review

GM's latest big V8 – a six-litre job called the L76 – gives more power and torque, the latter at more accessible engine speeds than the previous 5.7-litre Gen III V8.

But in this 1772kg, 5.2m saloon where it's matched to an aged four-speed automatic, it does like a drink of petrol. And it prefers premium unleaded fuel, further adding to the cost. Perhaps buyers of this sort of car are well used to fuel bills, or they have an arrangement where the bills are paid by someone else. But there is growing concern about the environment and not everyone feels guilt-free in a six-litre V8 of considerable size.

I drove the new V8 Caprice very gently, rarely going above 2000rpm, yet over more than 400km in a mix of conditions, including very gentle country cruising, averaged 12.5 litres/100km. Use more of the power more often and it will be higher than this. The 100km stint of suburban and city driving used 16.2 litres.

But on the few times the right foot was pressed down harder, the call was answered: 260kW of power at 5600rpm and 510Nm of torque at 4400rpm compares with the 245kW and 465Nm of the previous V8.

The old four-speed automatic now changes with good subtlety and we settled into 110km/h at approaching 1900rpm at whisper-quiet running save for a bit of tyre slap, depending on the road surface. Holden Caprice V8, now at $75,390, is very well equipped in luxury gear (see Small Torque) but beaten by the Europeans in airbag protection.

Features include very generous rear-seat leg room, comfort, a luxury car being able to take on Australian rough conditions, a large boot and plenty of dealer support. The test car, in deep blue, tasteful touches of chrome and a beige leather interior, looked a picture, too.

SMALL TORQUE

A stacked Caprice

Holden puts much into the Caprice: DVD player with twin screens and headsets in the rear, six-stack CD, 12-speaker 430W sound system, leather trim, eight-way power adjustable front seats, driver's seat memory (for three drivers), dual-zone climate control, comprehensive trip computer, 17in diameter alloy wheels, front fog lamps plus cornering lamps, tyre pressure monitor, and front and rear parking sensors.

Or try the V6

V8 fans would disagree but I'd go for the Caprice 3.6-litre V6, for $4700 less at $70,690. It has all the above features but has a five-speed automatic with Active-select paddleshift and is tuned for regular unleaded. It has ESP whereas the V8 gets only traction control. The V6 gives 190kW and 335Nm, and needs service every 15,000km to the V8's every 10,000km.

For regular guys

GM Holden says its new V8 will run on regular unleaded (it has knock sensors) but gives its best with fuel of the premium unleaded variety.