Holden WM Statesman

Infobox Automobile


name = Holden WM Statesman
aka = Chevrolet Caprice
Buick Park Avenue
Daewoo Veritas
Holden WM Caprice
manufacturer = Holden
parent_company = General Motors
production = 2006–present
assembly = Elizabeth, South Australia, Australia
predecessor = Holden WL Statesman
class = Full-size car
platform = GM Zeta platform
body_style = 4-door sedan
engine = 3.6 L "High Output Alloytec" V6
6.0 L "Generation 4 Alloy" V8
transmission = 5-speed "GM 5L40E" automatic
6-speed "GM 6L80E" automatic
wheelbase = Auto mm|3009
length = Auto mm|5160
width = Auto mm|1899
height = Auto mm|1480
weight = Auto kg|1891
related = Bitter Vero
Holden VE Commodore

:"For a complete overview of all Statesman models see: Holden Statesman."

The Holden WM Statesman and Caprice are a line of full size luxury cars produced by the General Motors Australian subsidiary, Holden since September 2006. The range debuted alongside the VE Commodore on 16 July 2006 at the Melbourne Convention Centre. With the Statesman's export plans, it was felt that its launch should be simultaneous with that of the Commodore, rather than months later, as had been the choice. The WM has two main rivals, the Ford Fairlane and the Chrysler 300.Cite web | last = Newton| first = Bruce | date = 2006-12-20 | url = http://www.drive.com.au/Editorial/ArticleDetail.aspx?ArticleID=22339&vf=1&pg=2| title = New car road test | publisher = Fairfax Media | accessdate = 2007-08-13] Holden are already exporting the WM to the Middle East as the Chevrolet Caprice. Sales of the WM Statesman in South Korea, where it will be sold as the Daewoo L4X, will commence at the end of 2008.

Development and design

The WM Statesman was a $190 million investment, in combination with the $1.03 billion VE Commodore program.Cite web | last = Pleffer| first = Ashlee | date = 2006-08-31 | url = http://carsguide.news.com.au/story/0,20384,20313178-5003140,00.html| title = Quick spin: Holden WM models | publisher = News.com.au | accessdate = 2007-08-15] The WM will continue to supply cars to senior Federal and State politicians, government officials, businesspeople and private buyers in Australia and overseas. [Cite web | last = | first = | date = 2006-07-16 | url = http://news.hspn.com/articles/562/1/Holden-WM-Caprice--Statesman-Revealed/Page1.html| title = Holden WM Caprice & Statesman Revealed
publisher = HSPN Global News | accessdate = 2007-08-18]

Exterior design

The WM Statesman features the same bodyshell as the WM Caprice, but the Caprice possesses a sportier character than the more conservative Statesman. Less chrome is incorporated outside compared to the Statesman. Visually the boot may look smaller from the outside but it is considerably larger inside compared to the VE. The front windscreen and the front doors are the only parts of the Caprice (visually) that are the same as the VE, like previous times the rear doors were not taken from the Commodore wagon. Instead the rear doors were made longer to ensure that it would be easier to get in and out of the car.

Points of differentiation to the Statesman for the Caprice include sports suspension, larger 18 inch alloy wheels although 20 inch wheels come as an option and dual rear seat LCD screens (with DVD player), Bi-Xenon headlamps also come as standard as well as rear LED brake lights. Unlike the Commodore the Caprice receives a full size spare alloy wheel as standard.

Interior design

Compared to the previous generation, more sporting trim highlights are used in the cabin and the centre dash incorporates real aluminium. The already considerable rear leg-room has been increased over previous models. Tri-zone climate control systems feature for the first time that can regulate the car's temperature at three separate places inside the cabin. Themes for the specialist interior design team were comfort, sophistication, harmony, luxury and attention to detail. The extroverted instrument pad features a wide binnacle, unique chrome-ringed instrument cluster and integrated centre stack with a high resolution colour screen, zoned audio and climate controls and satin chrome detailing. Cite web | last = Alina | first = Simona | date = 2006-12-09 | url = http://www.topspeed.com/cars/holden/holden-wm-caprice-ar13106.html| title = 2007 Holden WM Caprice | publisher = Top speed| accessdate = 2007-06-21]

Engine and mechanics

The Caprice comes standard with a 6.0 litre "L98" V8 engine producing 270 kilowatts (362 hp) coupled to the "GM 6L80E" six-speed automatic transmission as featured on sports Commodore variants. A cheaper 195 kilowatt (261 hp) 3.6 litre "Alloytec V6" is available as an option for the Caprice, but is standard on the Statesman. The semi-sports suspension is stiffened compared to the Statesman, Holden refer to the more sporting suspension as "FE1.5", sitting halfway between their standard suspension tune and the "FE2" suspension tune of their sports models.

Safety

In the safety aspect the Statesman comes with Electronic Stability Control, traction control, ABS brakes, EBD, BAS and a tyre pressure monitoring system as standard Front, side and curtain airbags come as standard which is another incentive to improve the Caprice's safety equipment, this also contributed to the fact the that the Caprice’s safety rating surpass that off its main rival, the LTD.Development commenced with the largest virtual crash modelling program Holden has ever undertaken. Emphasis was placed on considering the range of impact scenarios that occur in real world accident situations and differing occupant criteria. Safety technologies were benchmarked alongside with the world’s leading luxury brands and major engineering programs delivered a stiffer body structure and vastly increased usage of advanced strength steels. Multiple load corridor strategies for frontal, side and rear impacts improve passenger compartment integrity. They are complemented by an improved multipoint airbag sensing system and an adaptive restraint system which includes dual stage front airbags, thorax side impact airbags, curtain airbags and front seat active head restraints as standard equipment. Structurally optimised crush zones absorb crash energy and other occupant protection features include a steering column ride-down mechanism and breakaway brake pedal.

Exports

Like the previous model, the WM is exported to the Middle East as the Chevrolet Caprice. Since 2007, complete knock down kits have been exported and assembled by Shanghai GM for the Chinese market. [cite web | date = 2007-04-18 | url = http://www.webwombat.com.au/motoring/news_reports/holden-gm-exports.htm | title = Holden Secures Chinese Export Deal: Local Large Car Industry Fights On | publisher = WebWombat | accessdate = 2008-02-25] Sold as the Buick Park Avenue, the car replaces the Buick Royaum; a rebadged version of the WL Statesman and utilises Australian-built versions of the GM High Feature engine. [cite web | last = Dornin | first = Tim | date = 2007-04-11 | url = http://www.drive.com.au/Editorial/ArticleDetail.aspx?ArticleId=37768 | title = Holden to export engines to China | publisher = Fairfax Media | accessdate = 2007-04-15]

Holden recommenced Caprice exports to South Korea in 2008 as the Daewoo Veritas after showcasing a pre-production Daewoo L4X in 2007. [cite web | date = 2007-04-09 | url = http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=120359 | title = Seoul Auto Show: GM Daewoo L4X | publisher = Edmunds | accessdate = 2008-09-05] Compared to the Australian-specification model, the Veritas is V6-powered only and has a modified rear floor to accommodate the electrically adjustable rear seats incorporating a massage function. The headrests are also electrically adjustable, with the Caprice's dual headrest-mounted LCD screens orphaned in favour of a single, ceiling-mounted unit. [cite web | last = Twomey | first = David | date = 2008-09-05| url = http://www.caradvice.com.au/16233/holden-exports-to-korea-gm-daewoo-veritas/ | title = Holden exports to Korea GM-Daewoo Veritas | publisher = Australian Car Advice | accessdate = 2008-09-05]

References