The Holden Caprice (VQ) and Holden Statesman (VQ) were
Holden
Holden, formerly known as General Motors-Holden, was an Australian subsidiary company of General Motors. It was an Australian automobile manufacturer, importer, and exporter which sold cars under its own marque in Australia. In its last thre ...
's top-of-the-line luxury sedans produced between 1990 and 1994. It was the first Statesman to be based on the Commodore line. The rear end was an all-new design, with
independent rear suspension
Independent suspension is any automobile suspension system that allows each wheel on the same axle to move vertically (i.e. reacting to a bump on the road) independently of the others. This is contrasted with a beam axle or deDion axle system in w ...
.
They were positioned against
Ford Australia
Ford Motor Company of Australia Limited (known by its trading name Ford Australia) is the Australian subsidiary of United States-based automaker Ford Motor Company. It was founded in Geelong, Victoria, in 1925 as an outpost of Ford Motor Comp ...
's
Fairlane and
LTD.
The VQ Statesman was used as an official car by government ministers in Australia, and some were also converted into hearses for funerals or limousines.
Series I Statesmans were released in March 1990, whilst the Series II were released in December 1991. There was a further update in late 1993.
History
![1990-1991 Holden VQ Statesman sedan 04](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c8/1990-1991_Holden_VQ_Statesman_sedan_04.jpg)
After General Motors Holdens ended production of the
WB Statesman in 1984,
Ford
Ford commonly refers to:
* Ford Motor Company, an automobile manufacturer founded by Henry Ford
* Ford (crossing), a shallow crossing on a river
Ford may also refer to:
Ford Motor Company
* Henry Ford, founder of the Ford Motor Company
* Ford F ...
was left to market its Fairlane and LTD with no local competition. It was another six years before Holden released another long wheelbase sedan. Unlike the
Ford NA Fairlane
The Ford Fairlane and LTD are full-sized luxury vehicles produced in a series of models by Ford Australia between 1959 (with the LTD commencing production in 1973) and 2007.
From 1959 to 1964, the Fairlane was a locally assembled version of th ...
, Holden focused mainly on creature comforts and mechanical improvements in the VQ rather than appearance. Holden had plans to work on the appearance further, but it would have pushed the production schedule back a further six months.
Criticisms of the car looking too much like a Commodore in a dinner suit meant that Holden spent a considerable amount of time on the successor, the VR Statesman, re-designing its panels to look unique.
Originally, the car was going to have an analogue clock in place of the current climate control module, however the late 1980s fascination with digital clocks caused them to change their mind and place a digital clock in the roof instead. Holden was not the only manufacturer to do this – others such as Rolls-Royce also did so with the Silver Spirit. The climate control module would have been mounted in the pocket below the stereo headunit if they had gone with the analogue clock.
Cosmetic changes
The Statesman had a number of changes to the bodywork to set it aside from the Commodore. It was based on the longer station wagon wheelbase which made the car physically larger than the Commodore sedan and improved rear legroom. It was also fitted with a modified C-pillar which was covered in glass, giving the appearance of a wrap-around rear windscreen. The pillars were reinforced not only to provide improved strength, but also to give a more solid 'thunk' sound when closing the doors.
Although the exterior lighting remained unchanged from the Commodore, there was a large chrome grille fitted to the front, and a decorative garnish between the rear lights.
Specification levels
Series I (1990–1991)
Statesman
The VQ Statesman Series I was priced from
A$39,950 when new.
:''VQ Statesman Series I standard features included:''
*15-inch steel wheels
*5.0 L V8
*4 speed automatic transmission
*6 speaker stereo
*Alarm which incorporated:
**Engine immobiliser
*Central locking which incorporated:
**Keyless entry
**Remote boot release
*Climate control
air conditioning
Air conditioning, often abbreviated as A/C or AC, is the process of removing heat from an enclosed space to achieve a more comfortable interior environment (sometimes referred to as 'comfort cooling') and in some cases also strictly controlling ...
*Cruise control
*Independent rear suspension
*Power Pack which incorporated:
**
Front and rear power windows
**Power
antenna
Antenna ( antennas or antennae) may refer to:
Science and engineering
* Antenna (radio), also known as an aerial, a transducer designed to transmit or receive electromagnetic (e.g., TV or radio) waves
* Antennae Galaxies, the name of two collid ...
**Power mirrors
*
Power Steering
A power steering is a mechanical device equipped on a motor vehicle that helps drivers steer the vehicle by reducing steering effort needed to turn the steering wheel, making it easier for the vehicle to turn or maneuver at lower speeds.
Hydraul ...
*Trip computer
*Velour interior
:''VQ Statesman Series I optional features included:''
*HSV enhanced engine
*
Limited Slip Differential
A limited-slip differential (LSD) is a type of differential that allows its two output shafts to rotate at different speeds but limits the maximum difference between the two shafts. Limited-slip differentials are often known by the generic tr ...
(LSD)
*Electric Sunroof (dealer fitted)
Caprice
The VQ Caprice Series I was priced from A$56,894 when new.
:''VQ Caprice Series I standard features superseded and added to those of the VQ Statesman variant:''
*15-inch alloy wheels
*14 speaker stereo
*Cosmetic enhancements (e.g. chrome and woodgrain trim)
*Fog lights
*Rear stereo controls
*Rear vanity mirrors
:''VQ Caprice Series I optional features included:''
*Leather
upholstery
Upholstery is the work of providing furniture, especially seats, with padding, springs, webbing, and fabric or leather covers. The word also refers to the materials used to upholster something.
''Upholstery'' comes from the Middle English word ...
*Electric sunroof (dealer fitted)
Series II (1991–1993)
The VQ was the first ever Holden to be officially offered as a Series II model.
Although the VQ Series I was based on the
VN Commodore, the Series II was based on the
VP Commodore. This meant that it had a fully revised electrical system consisting of a centralised body control module.
The Series II was fitted with a subtle bodykit and slightly different interior trim. It also had other minor changes such as body coloured side mirrors and indicator repeaters on the front guards.
Statesman
The VQ Statesman Series II was priced from A$42,863 when new.
:''VQ Statesman Series II Standard features superseded and added to those of the VQ Statesman Series I variant:''
*15-inch alloy wheels
*Speed sensitive power steering
*Driver's side glovebox
:''VQ Statesman Series II Optional features superseded and added to those of the VQ Statesman Series I variant:''
*Anti-lock brakes
*V6 engine
Caprice
The VQ Caprice Series II was priced from A$60,352 when new.
:''VQ Caprice Series II standard features superseded and added to those of the VQ Caprice Series I variant:''
*Anti-lock brakes
*Power front seats
*Speed sensitive power steering
*10 disc CD stacker
1993 update
There was another final update in late 1993 just before the VQ finished production. It involved minor cosmetic changes such as body coloured grille and a boot spoiler. They were still officially designated as Series II.
HSV variations
Holden Special Vehicles
Holden Special Vehicles (HSV) was the officially designated performance vehicle division for Holden. Established in 1987 and based in Clayton, Victoria, the privately owned company modified Holden models such as the standard wheelbase Commodore, ...
(HSV) offered several different versions of the VQ Statesman and Caprice, with enhanced performance and appearance. These vehicles were designated as HSV Statesman 5000i,
[HSV Statesman 5000i Specifications sheet] SV90 and SV93. SV90s were available in a maroon colour, SV93s in white over champagne, and 5000i in anthracite. SV90 and SV93 had the HSV enhanced engine, whereas 5000i had an even higher output of .
Notes
External links
Holden Model History – Holden Statesman / Caprice – VQ Series 1990 – 1994*
ttp://www.users.on.net/~%20nweber/commodore/vq/vq-specs.html The Unofficial Holden Commodore Archive – VQ Statesman / Caprice – specifications
{{DEFAULTSORT:Holden Vq Caprice
Full-size vehicles
VQ
Cars of Australia
Rear-wheel-drive vehicles
Sedans
Cars introduced in 1990
Cars discontinued in 1994