The Holden WM Statesman/Caprice: The Pinnacle of Luxury and Performance
The Holden WM Statesman and Caprice are based on the VE Commodore and were produced from 2006 onwards, are the epitome of luxury in the Commodore range. These long-wheelbase variants were the largest rear-wheel drive sedans offered by General Motors at the time. Designed with a focus on comfort, style, and performance, the Statesman and Caprice models showcase Holden’s commitment to delivering exceptional vehicles.
The WM series marks the final generation of the Holden Caprice/Statesman line, a set of luxury full-size sedans crafted by Australian car maker Holden. This series was produced between August 2006 and October 2016, and were predominantly sold in Australia and New Zealand. The WM Statesman and Caprice models were launched concurrently with the smaller VE series Holden Commodore, sharing the same “Zeta” platform.
Design and Innovation
The Holden WM Statesman and Caprice models are distinct from their VE Commodore counterparts due to their longer bodies and unique rooflines. They offer more space and luxury features, making them a desirable choice for those seeking an upscale driving experience.
The WM Statesman and Caprice were part of an A$190 million investment, in combination with the $1.03 billion VE Commodore programme. This financial investment underlines Holden’s commitment to creating world-class luxury vehicles.
Holden had two trim levels for the WM series, Statesman and Caprice.
Statesman
This model comes with basic leather seats, woodgrain trim, a Blaupunkt base sound system, dual-zone climate control for front passengers, and a 4-way power adjusting front passenger seat. It also features halogen headlights, 17-inch alloy wheels, a slatted front grille, and a chrome number plate surround on the rear bumper. The standard engine is a 3.6-litre LY7 V6.
Caprice
This model presents several upgrades, such as bolstered premium leather seats, a rear-seat entertainment system with twin LCD screens and a DVD player, tri-zone climate control for the rear seat, and brushed aluminium trim. Additional features include a Bose premium sound system, an 8-way power adjusting front passenger seat, bi-xenon headlights, headlight washers, heated side mirrors, chrome-accented door handles, 18-inch alloy wheels, and sports suspension. The front bumper design differs from the Statesman. It comes standard with a more powerful 6.0-litre L98 V8 engine.
The two trims share features such as leather-wrapped steering wheels, 8-way power-adjustable driver’s seats, reverse sensors, integrated fog lights, and LED taillights. They also come with a Holden-crafted MP3/CD/radio infotainment system with a 6.5-inch color display, a 3.5 mm auxiliary audio input, and Bluetooth capabilities for making calls.
Extra Options
Additional options for both models include a GPS navigation extension for the infotainment system, a sunroof, a full-size spare tire, and a limited-slip differential. Both V6 and V8 engines are optional for each trim. All WM models come standard with automatic transmission; no manual option is available in any configuration.
Difference Between the Statesman and Caprice
While both models are luxurious, the Caprice stands as the most luxurious car in the VE/WM lineup. The Statesman offers more luxury than the Calais V, but the Caprice takes it a step further with additional features and refinements. This hierarchy makes the Caprice a more desirable choice for those seeking the ultimate in luxury and style.
2009 WM Upgrade
In 2009, the WM series saw engine upgrades. The Statesman’s LY7 V6 was swapped out for the newer direct-injected LLT V6, while the Caprice was fitted with the L77 V8, which features GM’s Active Fuel Management cylinder deactivation technology. New badges were added to the cars to highlight these technologies. Additionally, the V6 variants were upgraded to the same 6L80 6-speed transmission as the V8, replacing the older 5-speed unit.
In comparison to its predecessor, the WM series uses more sporty trim highlights in the interior and incorporates genuine aluminium into the centre dash. The rear leg-room, already generous in previous models, has been further expanded. The tri-zone climate control system from the WL Caprice was retained, allowing for temperature adjustments at three different locations within the cabin. The specialist interior design team focused on themes of comfort, sophistication, harmony, luxury, and meticulous attention to detail. The expansive instrument panel features a broad binnacle, a distinctive chrome-ringed instrument cluster, and an integrated centre stack. This stack comes with a high-resolution colour screen, divided audio and climate controls, and satin chrome detailing.
Only the front windshield and the front doors of the Caprice visually resemble those of the related VE Holden Commodore. In contrast to previous Caprice models, the WM series does not borrow the rear doors from the Commodore wagon but introduces its own extended rear door designs to facilitate easier access.
Performance and Specifications
Despite their focus on luxury, the Statesman and Caprice do not compromise on performance. They inherited the robust engine options from the Commodore lineup, ensuring a powerful and smooth driving experience.
The WM Caprice was initially equipped with a standard 6.0-litre L98 V8 engine, generating 270 kW (360 hp), and paired with the GM 6L80E six-speed automatic transmission, a feature found in sports Commodore variants. The Statesman came standard with a 195 kW (261 hp), 3.6-litre Alloytec V6, which was also an optional addition for the Caprice. The semi-sports suspension was made stiffer compared to the Statesman, positioning it midway between the standard suspension tune and the “FE2” suspension tune of their sports models. The L98 V8 reportedly achieved 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 62 mph) in slightly over six seconds.
With the WM MY09.5 update, the L98 was replaced by the newer L77 V8, which was paired with a six-speed automatic transmission featuring Active Select. Despite being less powerful than the L98 at 260 kW (349 hp), the L77 introduced Active Fuel Management (AFM) cylinder deactivation technology and offered compatibility with bio-ethanol or E85 fuels. The WM series 2 update also introduced Holden’s new 210 kW (282 hp) 3.6-litre SIDI direct injection V6, coupled with the same automatic transmission. In 2012, an option for an LPG engine was introduced, based on vapor injection technology rather than the liquid injection offered by competitors. This engine provided 180kW and 320Nm and was paired with the same six-speed automatic transmission as the rest of the engine lineup.
WM Series II And The Demise Of The Statesman
The WM series transitioned to a Series II designation in mid-2010. The ‘Statesman’ nameplate and trim, including its unique wheels, front and rear styling, and woodgrain interior trim, were phased out. In its place, the remaining Caprice was divided into two trim levels – a simplified base Caprice intended to replace the Statesman in terms of price and features, and a new top-tier Caprice ‘V’ series. The Caprice V was equipped with its own alloy wheel design, a standard sunroof, and a rear-seat entertainment system over the base Caprice, making it roughly comparable to the original WM Series 1 Caprice in terms of equipment. The drivetrain options were standardized; the Caprice was fitted with a standard 3.6L V6 engine with an optional LPG variant, while the 6.0L V8 became the exclusive engine choice for the Caprice V.
Although the general interior design of the WM2 Caprice remained largely the same as the WM1, it was upgraded with Holden’s new ‘iQ’ infotainment system, which allowed for USB connections, improved Bluetooth connectivity for music streaming, satellite navigation with traffic alerts, and a reversing camera. The exterior also remained largely unchanged, except for new wheel designs and the chrome boot garnish, which was altered to accommodate the reversing camera. As a result, the ‘Caprice’ nameplate was moved from the garnish to a separate badge.
Market Reception and Legacy
The WM series Statesman and Caprice were primarily aimed at a distinguished clientele that included senior Federal and State politicians, government officials, business professionals, and private consumers both in Australia and internationally.
The Holden WM Statesman and Caprice were well received in the market. Their blend of luxury, style, and performance has made them popular choices among car enthusiasts and luxury vehicle buyers alike.
Even after ceasing production, these models continue to maintain their appeal in the used car market, demonstrating their enduring quality and desirability.
Conclusion
The Holden WM Statesman and Caprice models represent the pinnacle of Holden’s luxury vehicle offering. They combine the performance of the Commodore range with an enhanced focus on comfort, style, and space. Whether you’re seeking a high-performance vehicle or a luxurious ride, the Statesman and Caprice models deliver on all fronts.
Check out the full list of VE Commodore models