The EFTM Garage – Holden Caprice V WM Series II

If you want the biggest slab of Aussie made automobile metal around there’s really only one choice remaining – The Holden Caprice.  EFTM has squeezed the flagship Caprice V model into its garage this week and it’s not the first time! We were wrapped with the WM Series 1 way back in 2006 when first launched on the back of the VF Commodore range.

Make: Holden

Model: Caprice V

Variant: WM Series II

Engine / Transmission: 6.0-litre V8, 6-speed automatic

Drivetrain: Rear-wheel-drive

Vital Stats: 260kW @4800rpm 517Nm @4400rpm

Holden Claimed Fuel Economy: 11.7/l / 100km

EFTM Claimed Fuel Economy: 11.3/l / 100km

MRRP Price: $59,990

Standard Features: Holden MyLink Infotainment System, 8” high-resolution colour touch screen, embedded apps (Pandora, Sticher and SmartRadio), Siri Eyes free, full Bluetooth connectivity, USB input, Aux input jack, satellite navigation, single CD player, 9-speaker Bose audio, rear seat dual-display screens with wireless headphones, dual-zone air-conditioning, sunroof, leather wrapped sports steering wheel, leather appointed seats (8-way electric adjustment of driver seat with two position memory) leather wrapped gear shifter, cruise control, dusk sensing xenon headlights (with washers), fog lights, rain-sensing wipers, auto-dimming rear view mirror, quad exhaust outlets, heated exterior mirror with ‘puddle’ lamps and position memory (mirror dips when reverse selected) LED tail lamps, auto up / down power windows and 19”alloy wheels.

Nooks and Crannies: Centre console storage compartment, twin cup holders in centre console, twin cup holders in rear seat pad, glove box, door pockets, luggage net, fold-down rear centre ski hatch and 535 L cargo volume.

Safety highlights: 5-star ANCAP safety rating, Dual-stage front driver airbags, Side impact airbags, Hill Start Assist, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Trailer Sway Control (TSC), seat belt load limiters and pretensioners, ISOFIX Child Seat Anchorage System (3), front and rear ultrasonic park assist, colour heads-up display, forward collision alert, lane departure warning, blind spot alert, reverse traffic alert, reversing camera.

Wow Factor: Mammoth V8 with seriously long legs. Corners almost as well as its short wheel based siblings. About as comfy as your grandpa’s favorite recliner.

Most Impressive: Enormous on board space, technology. Interior has been vastly improved.

Not so impressive: Virtually no exterior styling changes aside from new alloys and revised chrome strip at the rear.

Early verdict: Hugely impressive and not just in dimensions. We can’t think of any other car that comes near matching the value for money equation