Holden Caprice V8 2006 review

A replacement for the 5.7-litre Gen 3 the newcomer boasts more of everything V8 lovers love - power, torque, sound, response, feel, towability, bragging rights.

Ford's DOHC, 5.4-litre V8 pales against the sheer volume of the Holden donk. But there's a leveller - the Gen 4 Holden L76, 6.0-litre uses an old fashioned pushrod valve system and has only two valves a cylinder - not the most efficient layout in an era of ever improving engine technology striving for peak efficiency.

Holden reckons it gets by with this mechanically low-tech approach using sophisticated electronics and says a cylinder deactivation system was unnecessary to deliver reasonable fuel economy.

Explore the 2006 Holden Caprice range

• Holden Caprice V8 2006 review
• Holden Caprice 2006 review

That's all very good but more and more V8 makers are moving towards these systems waiting for a breakthrough to cut fuel consumption in large capacity engines. What that will be is anyone's guess.

L76 was introduced to comply with the new AS79/01 emissions laws, Australia's version of Euro 3 regulations. Gen 3 V8 doesn't pass.

No doubt, Holden would have preferred to introduce the L76 to coincide with the new VE Commodore series but that's months away.

We got hold of the range-topping Caprice V8 fitted with the new V8 and it's difficult not to be impressed, even at $75,390.

The engine has a definite edge over the older donk offering more response, more mid-range and more top end while the fuel economy seems pretty much the same.

The four speed auto needs to be consigned to history as it is simply not cut it these days in the face of five and six speed 'boxes from rivals. It not the smoothest tranny by anyone's measure and is atb odds with the refined atmosphere insided Caprice.

That said, driving the big Holden is fun even around corners where its considerable weight doesn't seem matter too much.

It has a ridiculous amount of rear seat legroom and the boot is expansive if a little shallow.

As flagship of the range, Caprice is equipped with the full Holden inventory including dual rear DVD screens.

A number of controls are available to rear seat passengers.

But there's plenty of driver enjoyment to be had from this large limo.

The engine sounds powerful propelling the Caprice at sports car pace.

It's extremely comfortable inside but the dash looks like a tarted up Commodore item which it is.

The new engine likes a strong brew and functions best on premium unleaded thanks in part to a knock sensor and high compression ratio.

Fuel economy on test averaged around 14.5 litres/100km - impressive for a car this size.