- Responsive supercharged V6 engine
- Powerful 5.7-litre V8 engine
- Comfortable and spacious interior
- Accurate steering
- Comfortable ride for Statesman…
- … but firm ride for Caprice
- V6 engine coarse above 3000rpm
- V8 engine is thirsty and has peaky power delivery
- Clunky downshifts for four-speed automatic transmission
Overview
Released in May 2003, the Holden WK Statesman and Caprice were long wheelbase sedans. Manufactured in Elizabeth, South Australia, the rear-wheel drive Statesman and Caprice were available with 3.8-litre V6, supercharged 3.8-litre V6 and 5.7-litre V8 engines.
Engines: V6, Supercharged V6 and V8
Of the engines,
- The 3.8-litre L36 pushrod V6 petrol engine had a cast iron block and cylinder head, multi-port fuel injection, two valves per cylinder, a single balance shaft and a compression ratio of 9.4:1. For the WK range, service intervals for the V6 engines were extended to 15,000 kilometres;
- The 3.8-litre L67 supercharged V6 engine was based on the L36 engine but distinguished by its Eaton M90 supercharger (which provided boost pressure of 6 psi or 0.41 bar), fuel injectors, cylinder heads and lower intake manifold; the compression ratio was also lowered to 8.5:1; and,
- The 5.7-litre LS1 pushrod V8 engine had all-aluminium construction, a 99 mm bore, 92 mm stroke, sequential multi-port fuel injection, flat-topped pistons, two valves per cylinder and a compression ratio of 10.1:1. For the Statesman, peak power increased to 235 kW due to the introduction of a twin exhaust system. The Caprice, however, had a high-output tune that increased power to 245 kW.
4L60E transmission
All engines were mated to four-speed 4L60E automatic transmissions which had recalibrated gearshift mapping and, for V8 versions, greater durability.
Development and dimensions
Jointly developed with the VY Commodore , the WK Statesman and Caprice had greater off-centre steering response (through increased torsion bar stiffness and valve revisions), a stiffer body structure with reinforced flooring and sills, and greater refinement through new dashboard insulation, aerodynamic door mirrors and a plenum ramp which deflected air over the windscreen wipers.
Compared to the WH Statesman/Caprice , the WK Statesman and Caprice had the same measurements, i.e. 5237 mm long, 1847 mm wide, 1459 mm high and the wheelbase was 2939 mm long.
Visually, the WK Statesman and Caprice could be identified by their more angular styling, trapezoidal grille, projector headlights, separate tail-lights, rear bootlid and ‘technical’ spoked alloy wheels. Fitted with the more powerful 5.7-litre V8 engine, the WK Caprice was positioned as a ‘sports/luxury’ vehicle and visually differentiated by its graphite honeycomb grille with a single horizontal bar and black bezel headlights. Inside, the Statesman and Caprice had new Blaupunkt audio systems, a two-tone instrument panel, silver-ringed instrument cluster, new centre fascia and steering wheel, revised switchgear and a high-mounted, multi-function ‘infotai Nment’ display.
Suspension
The WK Statesman and Caprice had MacPherson strut front suspension and independent rear suspension with semi-trailing arms and toe control links.
| Engine | Trans. | Peak power | Peak torque | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Statesman | 3.8-litre L36 petrol V6 | 4sp auto | 152 kW at 5200 rpm | 305 Nm at 3600 rpm |
| 3.8-litre s/charged L67 petrol V6 | 4sp auto | 171 kW at 5200 rpm | 375 Nm at 3000 rpm | |
| 5.7-litre LS1 petrol V8 | 4sp auto | 235 kW at 5200 rpm | 460 Nm at 4000 rpm | |
| Caprice | 3.8-litre L36 petrol V6 | 4sp auto | 152 kW at 5200 rpm | 305 Nm at 3600 rpm |
| 5.7-litre LS1 petrol V8 | 4sp auto | 245 kW at 5600 rpm | 465 Nm at 4000 rpm |
Safety equipment
Standard safety equipment for WK Statesman and Caprice included dual front airbags, front side airbags, ABS, traction control, active front seat head restraints and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters.
Brakes
The WK Statesman and Caprice had 296 mm by 28 mm vented front brake discs with twin-piston calipers and 286 mm by 16 mm solid rear brake discs with single piston calipers.
Features
Standard features for the WK Statesman included 16-inch alloy wheels, a ten speaker Blaupunkt sound system with a six-stack CD player, dual-zone climate control air conditioning, high-pile velour upholstery, power adjustable front seats, cruise control with speed alert, rear parking sensors, automatic headlights, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gearshift, remote central locking, power mirrors and windows, a height and reach adjustable steering wheel, 12 volt power outlets, a trip computer and an immobiliser.
The WK Caprice was further equipped with 17-inch nine-spoke alloy wheels with low-profile tyres, a twelve speaker sound system, smooth-seamed leather trim, driver’s seat memory settings, a rear DVD player with twin rear screens and infra red headphones, an electrochromatic rear vision mirror, heated door mirrors with automatic dipping when reversing, scuff plates and the ‘Holden Assist’ in-car communication system.
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