Review: 2006 Holden Caprice L76 6.0L

[JoeT]

It's All About The Leg Room

Peter Barnwell
02 March 2006
www.carsguide.com.au

Holden wins the engine capacity war hands down with its massive 260kW/510Nm, 6.0-litre, V8 engine.

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.

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.

[Bravada]

Frankly speaking I don't care about the engine in a car provided it moves forward, but if Holden dropped the third side window and stretched the doors on the WIs to reach to the rear wheel arch and they've got the best-looking large sedan available!

[ATPeele]

I have a sneaking suspicion we'll be seeing that here...

[Stormin]

Originally Posted by ATPeele

I have a sneaking suspicion we'll be seeing that here...

Not that one. Maybe the VE model.

[caprice 511]

Originally Posted by Stormin

Not that one. Maybe the VE model.

I don't care which one it is . I want it .

[Zujin]

I bet my brother would LOVE that car compared to his Crown Vic as a police cruiser.

[Mikkoo]

Originally Posted by caprice 511

I don't care which one it is . I want it .

As Holden is in charge of large RWD platform development for GM, I think
there will be a version coming stateside. It might just be the Buick
Statesman that Lutz has mentioned this week in Geneva.

[jzEllis]

Originally Posted by Bravada

Frankly speaking I don't care about the engine in a car provided it moves forward, but if Holden dropped the third side window and stretched the doors on the WIs to reach to the rear wheel arch and they've got the best-looking large sedan available!

rear doors lines that run right into the wheel well radius give off a definate feel of "cheapness" in the overall design language; at least to hear industrial design teachers tell it.

[PontiacPIMP]

Looks like it has the outgoing Impala's headlights.

[jwrebholz]

...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...


...more and more V8 makers are moving towards these (cylinder deactivation) systems waiting for a breakthrough to cut fuel consumption in large capacity engines. What that will be is anyone's guess.

Then later on...

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

...WHAT?! You blast the engine for poor efficiency, then go on to say it's got great fuel economy.

Methinks the guy who wrote this doesn't know WTF he's talking about. Also, I felt the writeup was poorly-done as a whole.

[dygituljunky]

Originally Posted by Zujin

I bet my brother would LOVE that car compared to his Crown Vic as a police cruiser.

With or without longer rear doors, I think it's ridiculous that I have to drive a FWD car with a 3800 engine under the hood. Even though it's a good power match for the Impala, the wheels just don't stick to the pavement when you accelerate and turn at the same time. And getting it to actually GO is a matter of gas pedal voodoo.

For a US police car, the VZ Commodore is too small but the VZ Caprice would be very nice indeedy. I can't wait to see the Chevy Zeta 4dr since it will probably end up being Chevy's police package... and the long wheelbase Zeta is even more enticing...

Giggity giggity giggity!!!

dygituljunky

[kenman923]

Holden has some nice looking cars. Just like Saturn is making a deal with Opel, maybe Holden should supply more cars to Pontiac and Buick

[dygituljunky]

Originally Posted by PontiacPIMP

Looks like it has the outgoing Impala's headlights.

Far from it.

The higher-end VZ cars, including this Caprice, have projector beam lowbeams, reflector high beams, the small white driving lights you see lit next to the low beams, and turn signals.

The outgoing Impala had reflector low beams, reflector highbeams, and reflector turnsignal/parking lights. Actually, for the price point, the old Impala's headlight assemblies looked pretty nice.

I can't wait to see what the VE headlights are gonna look like. 'Course, the US Zetas will probably different.

dygituljunky

[FordFan]

they just need to fix the **************** handling and the heating issues, Holden won't be seeing my money unless they start making quality cars.

[MBHockey13]

This post just p*sses me off because that Holden Caprice should be sold here as the Chevrolet Caprice. THIS is the GM car of the past that I love. WHY CAN'T CHEVYs LOOK LIKE THAT?