Big doors

If the Commodore doesn't offer you enough space in a piece of rear-wheel Australiana, then there's always the Caprice. But just how different is the long wheelbase car?

Unlike previous stretched Falcons and Commodores, this Caprice features unique rear doors that are appropriately sized.

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Big 'un

Measuring just shy of 5.2m long, the Caprice certainly isn't wanting for size.

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Rounders

The rounded roofline certainly does a fair impression of the Audi.

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Bright lights

The Caprice V is fitted with xenon headlights with pop-out washers.

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Been around the world

Developed locally, the Caprice is sold in the Gulf as a Chevy and will soon be available to American police forces as an undercover vehicle.

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LED

LED tail-lights have been a feature of Caprices for a little while now.

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Clayton's Cadillac

Framing the Holden lion in wreaths (almost) makes us think of Cadillac.

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External changes

Badging is no longer carried on the boot's now plain chrome strip.

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Venting it

The vents may be cosmetic, but it does come equipped with nice LED indicators.

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Puddle lights

Still no wing mirror indicators, but the Caprice V does come with puddle lighting.

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External changes

Bumpers, headlights and the like are all unmolested, so the visual differences between Series I and II Caprices are minimal. Look closely and you might notice the new alloy wheel design and Series II badging.

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Engine choice

Go for the regular Caprice and there's a 3.6-litre V6 under the bonnet. Step up to the V-Series (pictured) and you'll find a 6-litre V8 doing duty instead.

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Drinking problem

The V8 likes to drink and it doesn't mind what it drinks, so long as it's unleaded.

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Hopes dashed

The dash is obviously Commodore related, but is laid out differently and there's a rather nice strip of aluminium running around too.

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Jazz it up

The instruments are not just classier than those on the Commodore, but they're actually legible because they're not as keen on catching and reflecting daylight.

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Feel the serenity

The front passenger's seat is all the way back and there's still plenty of leg room for the passenger behind.

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Gripping stuff

Bolsters on the outboard seats hold the passengers in should the driver get a little excited by the road ahead.

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Handbrake

If you're not careful this thing could wedge your thumb in.

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Automatic for the people

A six-speed auto is the only transmission offered in the Caprice line.

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Climate change

A two-zone air-con system is present on the Caprice, with an extra zone available on the Caprice V.

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Open sesame

The boot release lives in the glovebox.

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Drinks, anyone?

It doesn't feel the most sturdy, but the rear-seat cup holders slide out from under the seat.

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Bose

A 10-speaker, 220W Bose system is included with the Caprice V, but the results aren't mind blowing.

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Movie time

Each headrest has a screen and a headphone jack. The passenger's side also contains an additional auxiliary jack.

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Movie climate

The controls for the rear-seat entertainment system, as well as the climate control air-con, are in the headlining. Rear seat passengers can partake in the entertainment being served up by those in the front pews, or watch their own movies or listen to their own music.

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Cord-free

Infrared wireless headphones are powered by AA batteries.

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Go love yourselves San Diego

DVDs being played in the back can be view in the front, but only when the car's parked.

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Boot it

The 535-litre boot can only be expanded via a ski port. The boot itself has no interior grab handle, so be prepared for some dirty fingers.

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Flat out

A full-size alloy spare wheel resides under the boot.

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Cruise

A radar-guided system would be nice in a vehicle like this.

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Sensitive

Rain-sensing wipers work well, unless the rain is patchy and light.

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Blinded

The reversing camera sits naked on the boot's chrome strip, making it easy for dirt, dust or water droplets to (sometimes fully) obscure the lens.

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Back it up

It's not the highest resolution camera we've seen.

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Beeeeeep

Given the car's size and the reversing camera's rather basic flaw, it's a good thing parking sensors are included.

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Now Reading

Holden Caprice in depth

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