Holden Statesman Reviews

Ewan Kennedy reviews the VS, WH, WK, WL, WM and WN Holden Statesman and Caprice from 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 as a used buy.

For much of their existence the Statesman and its Caprice big brother played second fiddle to the all powerful Ford Fairlane and LTD, but with the demise of the Ford duo they reigned alone in the market.As much as Holden tried it seemed there was nothing they could do to dent the dominance of the big Fords, even though they followed the same proven formula for building a big car off a regular passenger car platform.The formula was simple enough; you simply stretched the wheelbase to create a massive back seat, enlarged the boot, tuned the ride for comfort, and added some bling to give it prestige appeal.MODEL WATCH Like all previous models in the Statesman and Caprice line the WM was based on the mainstream passenger car model of the day. In the case of the WM that was the VE Commodore.The trick with the bigger models was to distinguish them from their lesser siblings so buyers felt like they were buying something special.That was achieved mostly by extending the wheelbase of the VE by 94 mm and the overall length by 266 mm, which was used to increase the rear cabin space and the boot.The profile was smoothed and refined to achieve a visual balance with the new, longer body, and there was extra chrome trim and badges applied to give it the sophisticated presence buyers in the class demand.The final result was an elegant sedan that clearly stood apart from the run-of-the-mill Holdens from which it was derived.Holden offered two models in the WM range, the Statesman and the range-topping Caprice, essentially differentiated by their trim and features list.Both could be specified with either the 3.6-litre high output Alloytec V6, putting out 195 kW at 6500 revs and 340 Nm at 2600 revs, or the 6.0-litre V8 boasting 270 kW at 5700 revs and 530 Nm at 4400 revs.The V6 came with a five-speed auto with shift paddles for manual shifting, while the V8 came with a six-speed auto that also featured tap-up/tap-down paddle shifting.Underneath the chassis was in essence the same as the VE, with multi- link independent suspension front and rear, front mounted steering rack, and large disc brakes. It was an awesome package that handled with the aplomb of a much smaller car.Inside the Statesman had woodgrain highlights, power front seats, front and rear park assist, rain-sensing wipers, powerful 11-speaker CD sound, MP3 and Bluetooth connectivity.The Caprice badges also calls into play aluminium accents, deep bolstered sports seats, leather and suede trim, Bose premium sound, and Tri-zone air.IN THE SHOP Overall the WM is proving a sturdy, reliable car, but it is subject to the same woes that can befall the humble VE Commodore.Watch for a slump in acceleration when it seems the six-speed auto transmission isn't quite sure what is going on. When it happens it's usually at low speed when you want to accelerate again after lifting off the gas pedal.Cars Guide has received few complaints about the WM; owners appear content with their choice of car.Look for a service record, and inspect for possible crash damage.IN A CRASH Befitting its status at the top of the Holden tree the WM had a comprehensive array of safety gear.It began with a solid body structure designed to absorb the energy of a crash, and included steering column ride-down mechanism and breakaway pedals, then added a host of airbags, electronic stability control, traction control, anti-lock braking, electronic brake assist and electronic brakeforce distribution.ANCAP gave it five out of a possible five stars.UNDER THE PUMP Carsguide reader Kevin Alsop is resigned to the fact that the V8 WM Caprice is a big heavy car and is content with the 12.4-12.6 L/100 km from it.Holden's claim was that the V6 would average 11.7 L/100 km and the V8 14.4 L/100 km.OWNER'S SAY Kevin Alsop reckons his 2008 WM Caprice is the best, and he should know, it's the sixth Statesman/Caprice he's owned. While he's clearly enamoured with the big Holden it's not like he's one-eyed about it, his other car is a Falcon XR6 Turbo ute, which he says is a hoot to drive.As for the Caprice he loves its armchair-like comfort and the easy-flowing performance of the 6.0-litre V8, particularly on long trips, where the big boot is also appreciated. To date, having done a little over 25,000 km, there have been no issues whatsoever with it.LOOK FOR Elegant looksSpacious cabinLarge bootLarge sizeCan be thirstyComfortable rideTHE BOTTOM LINE Big buy for those wanting to make a big statement.

The WB Statesman marked the end of the old Holden as we’d known it from the beginning back in 1948. It’s passing in 1985 was the final changeover to the new generation of European derived models after almost 40 years of unique homegrown cars.The writing was on the wall for the old large Holdens from the moment the VB Commodore came on the scene in 1978. Holden had made the commitment to downsize in response to the oil crises of the 1970s and firmly put its faith in the new smaller European style cars.From that moment the future of the big Holdens was doomed. The company kept making the ute and panel van, and there was even a last minute attempt to resurrect the Kingswood, but it was the luxury Statesman and Caprice that kept the flame alive to the end.MODEL WATCHIn the 1960s Ford’s Fairlane ruled the luxury car market and Holden had trouble coming up with a model that would compete with the big Ford.The first attempt was the Brougham in 1968, in essence a Premier with a larger boot and little else, but luxury car buyers saw through that and continued to buy the Fairlane.A far more serious attempt to match the big Ford was the HQ Statesman in 1971, which not only had a big boot, but also had a longer wheelbase which was turned into increased roominess for rear seat passengers.Holden was then competitive in the large luxury car game, but it still had trouble convincing Fairlane owners to switch, such was the loyalty to the badge in those days.Over the years the Statesman, and its even more luxurious Caprice cousin, closed the gap to the Fairlane and LTD, but it was the WB that came closest to knocking the Ford duo from their pedestal.The WB was the last model designed by Holden’s legendary designer Leo Pruneau and he threw everything at it to make it the best he possibly could. Holden management had something of a different idea and kept a tight rein on the purse strings. It might have been the last in line, but that didn’t mean Pruneau could spend whatever he wanted.As it was he managed to create one of the most attractive of all the large Holdens, one that has stood the test of time well and looks good even today.There were the new rear quarters, with a fifth window that gave it an elegance missing from earlier models, and powerful new front and rear ends. One thing Pruneau couldn’t change was the front guards, which were to be carried over from the HZ model that preceded the WB.Pruneau argued long and loud about doing new front guards because he wanted the sides of the car to be smooth and the HZ guards featured a line that was at odds with the rest of the side panels. When management refused to budge he had to create a wide body moulding that covered the line. It runs right down the side of the WB and to this day Pruneau hates it.Inside, the WB had a new dash and pretty much every feature available on the Holden option list, including power windows, air-conditioning, wood grain trim, plush carpets, radio cassette sound.Mechanically the WB was a familiar package. The engine was Holden’s homegrown 5.0-litre V8, which struggled manfully under the restrictions imposed by our exhaust emission regulations and only put out 126 kW.At first it had an American THM350 three-speed automatic transmission, but that was replaced in 1981 by the locally made Trimatic three-speed in an effort to cut costs.Underneath the classy skin was the usual Holden suspension package of independent wishbone front suspension and coil spring five-link rear suspension on a live axle.Brakes were disc all round, and there was power assistance for the steering.IN THE SHOPRust is the enemy of old cars so check for tin worm in the body. Check around the rear quarter windows, they’re particularly prone to rusting there, around the windshield, rear window, bottoms of the doors, and front and rear guards. It’s worth checking the floors and the boot floor.Cars left sitting in the sun will have a cracked dash pad, and the seats and carpet will be worn. Make sure all accessories, including the air-conditioning, are working correctly.The Holden V8 is generally sound, but listen for worn valve lifters, and look for oil leaks from around the front cover, oil pan, and intake manifold.Harder to find, but there’s also the possibility of a leaking intake manifold because of warping, cracked and leaking exhaust manifolds, and worn camshafts.The early THM350 auto is a tough old unit and rarely gives trouble, but the lighter Trimatic is borderline and isn’t as pleasant to drive.Many WBs have been converted to dual-fuel and these need to be checked thoroughly to make sure they’re safe. Check the use-by date on the gas tank and make sure it has been pressure tested, and check gas lines for installation and damage.The suspension is simple and robust and gives little trouble, but listen for noises from worn bushes and shock absorbers that might need replacing.IN A CRASHMass is the key to the safety of a WB. You won’t find airbags or other modern safety systems in the old Holden, but you have plenty of good old BHP steel around you for protection in a crash.Check seat belts for wear and replace if there’s any sign they’re not in good condition.LOOK FOR:• Classic classy styling• big comfortable sedan• comfortable boulevard ride• big fuel bills• vague handling• last of the old Holden lineTHE BOTTOM LINELast of the big Holdens is a classy classic at an affordable price.RATING65/100

Way back in the 1960s there was little choice if you wanted to buy a luxury car, you simply headed down to your nearest Ford dealer and drove away in a Fairlane. It was that simple. There wasn’t a lot of competition for the big Ford, GMH were trying without much success to sell locally assembled Chevrolets and Pontiacs, and the likes of ’Benz and BMW weren’t serious players back then.Things changed a little when Holden released the HQ Statesman and Caprice in 1971 to compete with Ford’s then super successful Fairlane and LTD, but they enjoyed only modest success against the Fords when they were at their zenith in the early 1970s.But, oh how the times have changed, and along with them the fortunes of the Fairlane and Statesman. There is now plenty of competition for the prestige dollar, with ’Benz and BMW dominating the top end of the market, along with more recent arrivals like Lexus and Audi.Despite this the long wheelbase locals have a lot to offer, particularly if you measure the value of cars on a centimetre per dollar basis when they trump just about everything else on the market.If the Statesman and its more expensive Caprice cousin struggled when Ford’s Fairlane and LTD were at their peak, they have done much better in recent times when they have offered a more sporty and stylish alternative to the often stodgy Fords.The Commodore-based VS Statesman of 1996 put Holden’s long wheelbase model into some pretty lofty company, and with decent build quality and an impressive list of standard features it scrubbed up quite well against the much more expensive models from the big Euros.MODEL WATCHThe choice of a luxury car can be a difficult one. You’ve reached the stage where you can afford to splash out on something a little bit better than the bread-and-butter models you’ve been driving, but what do you buy.The essential elements of a luxury car are comfort and room, particularly in the back seat where legroom is at a premium.Where there wasn’t much alternative to the long wheelbase local models, today there is plenty of choice. Now the choice includes Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Audi and Lexus, which all tantalise, particularly when it comes to the secondhand market.Still, the Statesman and Fairlane have the edge when it comes to used prices, which makes them most attractive luxury choice if you’re on a tight budget.The VS Statesman was launched in 1996. Based on the well regarded VS Commodore it was essentially the same as the Commodore forward of the windscreen, save for the unique grille and front bumper.It was rear of the windscreen that the real differences between the Statesman and the Commodore could be seen. It starts with an extra 95 mm Holden inserted in the wheelbase which gives the rear seat passengers oodles of legroom, and ends with another 33 mm of rear overhang, which results in a much larger boot.So it’s big, and with the panoramic rear window it’s also beautiful. The rear treatment of the Statesman was a distinctive statement of styling and makes the long wheelbase sedan standout. There’s also a unique rear treatment, which helps mark out the Statesman from the rear, along with a classy frontal treatment.Good news for Statesman buyers is that the powertrain is the same as that used in the Commodore. That means it’s simple and relatively troublefree.The Base engine is the 147 kW 3.8-litre Ecotec V6, which brought a raft of refinements that improved smoothness and drivability, as well as power and economy. There were also the options of a 165 kW supercharged V6 in VSII and VSIII, and Holden’s 5.0-litre overhead valve V8 which was fuel-injected and pumped out 168 kW.The transmission choice was simple, a four-speed electronic auto.Underneath the stretched skin lay Holden’s familiar combination of MacPherson Struts at the front and semi-trailing arm IRS at the rear.Power steering was, of course, standard and the four-wheel disc brakes had ABS, and there was traction control for an added safety bonus.Naturally the Statesman came with just about everything in the Holden parts bin. There was plush velour trim, alloy wheels, two-tone metallic paint, dual airbags, power everything, cruise, central locking. air, trip computer, eight-speaker sound, cut pile carpet, remote boot release.The VSII update came in November 1996, and brought 16-inch alloys, cup holders, chrome interior door handles and self levelling suspension.Another update, the VSIII, in 1998 kept the model going until it was dropped in 1999, but there was little to distinguish it from its predecessor, unless you can spot the darker woodgrain panels and the two-tone fascia on the interiorIN THE SHOPBy the time VS was released Holden build quality had markedly improved. They were screwed together with much more precision, and the paint quality was up to international standards.Mechanically the V6 is generally reliable, very little goes wrong with them, but look for oil leaks from front timing cover seals, rear main seal, and rocker covers.The auto is a generic Asian-Warner and is generally quite reliable. Expect to get 200,000 km before it needs a rebuild, but check the oil to see that it’s been changed regularly. The oil should be nice and red, not black and thick.Oil leaks around the power steering are common, and best seen from under the car. Look around the seals on the rack.Body tightness is generally good, so don’t expect to find too much in the way of squeaks and rattles.Do the normal checks of looking at body gaps, open all doors and watch for any that drop when they open, check door openings for signs of overspray, and check the whole body for any colour mismatch that might indicate it’s been in a crash.LOOK FOR• lots of room for rear seat passengers• huge boot• prestige styling with wraparound panoramic rear window• simple mechanical package• smooth comfortable ride• calm and quiet interior ambience

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

Consider last October's $13.4 million handout by the federal and two state governments to GM Holden so it might "introduce safety and fuel-management improvements, and further reduce greenhouse emissions on Commodore vehicles".This would be the same "billion-dollar baby" we'd been hearing about ad nauseam all year.Are we to take it that such crucial considerations — ones that every other car-maker in the world addresses as a matter of course — weren't factored into the Commodore series' endlessly vaunted eight-figure development sum?One hopes — though with no great optimism — this money is being well spent. To say nothing of the the $7 billion earmarked for the protection of local car manufacturers under the Fed's Automotive Competitiveness Investment Scheme.All of which will be of enormous comfort to the 600 workers Holden made redundant last month ...Howard can claim that when he's being moved around in a long-wheelbase Commodore, he's merely making like foreign leaders do. Not least his favourite foreign leader.The US President is often transported in an armoured Cadillac — the bar, no doubt, having been removed to avoid the incumbent suffering relapses or nasty snack-food incidents.In France, le prez is carted about in a massive Citroen. And in many of the African countries the French once called colonies, the local despot wouldn't be seen dead in anything except a Mercedes-Benz.Nice symbolism, that, given that the history of France largely consists of being invaded by Germany. Such were the thoughts that occurred when driving Holden's Statesman V6.By now, you've possibly reached the conclusion that we dislike the Statesman. Or perhaps you'd rather we shut up and simply told you about it.Certainly, this is the best-looking large Australian car for yonks, the designers having emulated (to put it kindly) within and without the best bits of desirable European sedans, not least Audi's A6.In terms of ride and handling, the Statesman is a vastly more attractive proposition on NSW's third-world roads than any foreign marque. It also steers and handles with an adroitness that not only belies its size, but compares favourably with the Euros.Not so the transmission. It's difficult to attain frenzied levels of patriotism about the Statesman's five-speed auto, which is a cog shy of contemporary (think Ford's Falcon) and two (Mercedes-Benz has seven), if not three, short of cutting edge (Lexus does eight).It is, of course, way better than the improved, but still old-world, four-speeder that remains in lesser Commodores. The top-line Statesman and Caprice get six speeds but eight pots.The "entry" Statesman's 3.6-litre, 195kW/340Nm V6 does a convincing job of hauling a kerb weight of 1805kg — but not so good a job that one won't pine for two cylinders more.After a week of urban driving (government ministers catch planes on intra-city trips, so open-road figures are irrelevant) the V6 had consumed an average of 19.25 litres per 100km.This was over several days of typically stagnant Sydney traffic — but what is a Statesman asked to do if not cart statesmen from hotel to ribbon-cutting and back?At least these occupants are cosseted within fit and finish that noticeably exceed Holden's previous norm, the final touches needed to make the Statesman the fine executive mobile it is.And, at $58,990, the V6 Statesman embodies the exceptional mega-metal-for-your-money equation that is the marque's hallmark.Which, paradoxically, is the Statesman's problem.When the car was placed out front of the office — our litmus test for gleaning the opinion of the generality — one colleague merely, but tellingly, remarked: "It's just a big Holden, really."Another sniffed and said he was about to chuck his VZ-series long-wheelbase Holden for a Lexus IS250 Sports Luxury — thus personifying the paradigm that confronts all local car-makers.Their traditional, and formerly captive, audience are not only defecting to imported marques, they're also downsizing and up-speccing.As the polls indicate, what's good for John Howard is no longer considered good enough for the country.

Holden impressed with the highly anticipated VE Commodore launch last month, with lights, cameras and well, a blimp. So for the luxury WM models, it's only natural that they went one step further this week by inviting the Prime Minister along.And while previously these cars may have conjured up an ideal audience of, let's say people of Mr Howard's era, the new WM models, to put it plainly, are more hip and stylish, yet still offer that level of sophistication and classiness.The Statesman and Caprice are available in both V6 and V8 engines, with the Caprice experiencing a considerable price drop over the previous WL models. At $69,990, the range-topping (and most expensive) WM model has dropped by $5400.The V6 Caprice has a $65,990 price point, $4700 less than its predecessor.The Statesman, on the other hand, has seen a slight increase in price, with the V6 now costing $58,990, compared with the previous $56,990 and the V8 priced at $62,990, $1300 more than the WL V8 Statesman.With their great, sturdy looks, impressive on-road performance and a lengthy list of goodies, it's no wonder the PM echoed the words of his predecessor, Ben Chifley, who also appeared at a Holden launch in 1948, in exclaiming: "I think she's a beauty, too", referring to both new models.The launch of the new long-wheelbase luxury sedans is the result of a $190 million investment, on top of the $1.03 billion VE program.The new models are made in the Elizabeth plant in Adelaide, and a tour around the factory showed the amazing process of the Matrix-like, animated robots, which almost seemed to have their own personalities, hard at work.When reaching full production in the coming weeks, the factory will produce 620 vehicles a day, which include WMs, VEs and the VZ Utes and wagons.The WM models differ from the shorter wheelbase VE Commodore, obviously with a stretched wheelbase providing more interior space, lengthened rear doors, an increased rear overhang, to name but a few of the exterior changes, and the new models have a wheelbase 70mm over the WL, but an overall length 32mm shorter.The 3.6-litre V6 produces 5kW more power and 5Nm more torque than the previous model, with 195kW at 6500rpm and 340Nm at 2600rpm.The 6.0-litre, V8 engine also experiences an increase in performance, with 270kW at 5700rpm, up from 260kW and 530Nm at 4400rpm, an increase of 20Nm of torque.The WM models are big cars and similarities can be seen to the Chrysler 300C. But on road they aren't as hard to manoeuvre as you'd expect, and tight turns and parking lots are easier to tackle than you initially think.Both models have great steering and go exactly where you point them. The Caprice has a sportier feel with firmer suspension compared with the Statesman. The V6 sounded a bit noisy, but that could just be the result of just having departed the quiet V8, where you could almost hear a pin drop.The Statesman is marketed as the "comfort prestige" model, while the Caprice has been given more aggressive styling, with a "prestige sport" persona. And while the differences between the two are minimal, they are noticeable, including the grilles, 18-inch, five-spoke wheels for the Caprice and 17-inch, 10-spoke wheels for the Statesman and different lamps for each. And if you think the Statesman has an impressive list of features, the Caprice goes even better.The Statesman comes with front and rear park assist, 11-speaker sound system with a six-disc CD player, MP3 and Bluetooth mobile-phone connectivity, eight-way electric front seats, night-mode dash illumination and auto rain-sensing wipers.The Caprice also offers a Bose audio system, an impressive DVD player, a tri-Zone electronic climate control system, and 10-way electric adjustment front seats.And what's a beauty without its jewels. These luxury vehicles are adorned with front fog lamps, grilles and badges, rear valance and exhaust tips, chrome bodyside moulding and Bi Xenon headlamps for the Caprice, all the jewelled elements for a sparkling finish.On the safety side, the WM models come with six airbags, Electronic Stability Program (ESP), traction control, electronic brake assist, anti-lock braking system and electronic brakeforce distribution. There's a notion of exclusivity attached to the luxury models and the interior is especially designed to match this description.The leather interior provides great comfort for all passengers, adding to the cosiness of the spacious cabin. The onyx with metro leather trim, in other words the black or darker leather interior, had a more stylish, sporty feel over the lighter, light urban leather. The interior also features wood trim.And the Caprice is particularly more suitable for the entertainment buffs, or those just wanting the "are we there yet?" cries to stop, with a DVD player featuring a roof-mounted speaker and rear DVD screens set into the headrests. The Statesman offers a roof mounted DVD player as an option.Fuel economy for the V6 in both models is 11.7-litres per 100km, and 14.7-litres per 100km for the more powerful V8. Holden says the target customers for the long wheelbase are those "fortysomething, successful and self-assured" buyers and it's the Caprice where Holden hopes to attract new customers.

The WB was one of the most attractive of all the large Holdens, one that has stood the test of time well and looks good even today.

Hermetically sealed from the grime, hustle and bustle of city streets, passengers and driver can be lulled into a peaceful ride with quality acoustics.I had to almost beg three of my dinner companions to take a ride in my luxury vehicle after a night in Gouger St.It lacked the thrill factor but my passengers soon relaxed into the plush seats and realised the pleasure and ease of conversing without competing with engine noise.This car is all grace, gentility and poise rather than noise, agility and pace.While the V6 engine gives Statesman the muscle to reach high speeds, it seems almost inappropriate to head north of a diplomatic 60km/h.To be honest, I wasn't inspired to head east into the foothills and see how well it performed on winding roads or how fast it took to reach 100km on the freeway.Instead I was content to cruise and float through city traffic using the steering-wheel controls to crank up the radio – Cruise 1323, of course (to tap in to the Statesman demographic). There's plenty of room – Holden's specs show leg room for rear-seat passengers is an extraordinary 1.1m and 1.07m up front.In terms of carbon footprints, this car has a larger shoe size than most.While Statesman falls within the luxury category, this glorified Commodore has a relatively spartan price tag. But, I wonder, outside of fleet buyers in Canberra and for North Tce, just who would buy a Statesman? Perhaps the ageing elite or basketballers with special leg-room needs? But for a young(ish) female looking to impress or be impressed by excess – it's as long a stretch as its wheelbase.And another thing – Henry Ford's famous quip "Any colour as long as it's black" may have been fine before cars contributed to global warming but black interior and paint doesn't work in an Australian summer. No matter how good the air conditioning is.

Domestic sales are down, revenues are down and the cost of production is the same. GM's predicament is complicated by huge bills for workers' health care and superannuation.So the bosses in Detroit are battening down for a rough ride. Moves to date include cutting its salaried North American work force this year by 5 per cent — 2800 jobs.Among the freshest cuts was the axing of the Zeta platform as a global exercise. This Australian-engineered platform was to be the basis for a range of rear-wheel drive cars, aimed particularly at the North American market.GM product guru Bob Lutz was the mover and shaker, as he had been impressed by rear-drive Holdens.But while Zeta architecture will still underpin the next Commodore range, the VE due next year, it is no longer headed offshore. Internationalisation of the project was deemed too expensive in these tight times.So the Americans, having had a small taste of Australian rear-drive engineering with the Pontiac GTO, nee Monaro, miss out big time.Imagine how the boys and girls in California would head to town over an SS Ute. And imagine how the Statesman, in long, black colours, would go down among limo drivers.For the Holden Statesman is one of those machines which would suit customers from LAX to JFK — a big and simple rear drive machine with road presence, V8 available, big boot and some of the world's best back seat leg-room.It is a nice piece of work from front to back, a tribute to Holden engineers who build a mix of machines on different variations of the Commodore platform. The Statesman, and richer Caprice, share the longer wheelbase version of that platform which dates back to the 1997 VT Commodore.This time the WL Statesman picks up LED tail lights with quicker brake response times, a new grille, new alloy wheels plus leather trim as standard gear.The rest is much as before.A smooth V8 with improved four-speed automatic allows the Statesman to move in and around the traffic with ease. The powertrain's easy delivery, now through electronic throttle control, helps mask the size of the big Holden, as does the well-tuned chassis and steering.The five-metre Statesman is not the first choice for a sporting drive but it can be driven with verve. For a big car it is supple and swift. There is plenty of grip and plenty of punch and on long hauls the Statesman offers serenity from either front or back seat.Standard gear includes ABS brakes, traction control plus front and side airbags. There's dual zone, climate control airconditioning, six-disc CD, eight-way electrically adjustable front seats and plenty of cupholders and compartment.The Holden Statesman is a comforting machine from driving dynamics to cabin luxury. It would be just as welcome on an LA freeway as a cross-country run to Mount Isa.The Yanks don't know what they'll be missing.