For a complete overview of all Holden Statesman and Caprice models, see Holden Caprice.
The Holden Caprice (VQ) and Holden Statesman (VQ) were Holden'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.
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
After General Motors Holdens ended production of the WB Statesman in 1984, Ford 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, Holden focused mainly on creature comforts and mechanical improvements in the VQ rather than appearance.[1] 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.[2] 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
1991–1993 Holden Statesman (VQ II) interior
Series I (1990–1991)
Statesman
The VQ Statesman Series I was priced from A$39,950 when new.
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
HSV Statesman SV93HSV Statesman 5000i
Holden Special Vehicles (HSV) offered several different versions of the VQ Statesman and Caprice, with enhanced performance and appearance. These vehicles were designated as HSV Statesman 5000i,[3] 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 180kW (241hp) engine, whereas 5000i had an even higher output of 200kW (268hp).
The Holden Commodore is a full-size car that was sold by Holden from 1978 to 2020. It was manufactured from 1978 to 2017 in Australia and from 1979 to 1990 in New Zealand, with production of the locally manufactured versions in Australia ending on 20 October 2017.
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, long wheelbase Caprice and Statesman, and commercial Ute for domestic and export sale. HSV also modified other non-Holden cars within the General Motors lineup in low volumes.
The Holden Caprice is a full-sized car which was produced by Holden in Australia from 1990 to October 2017. The similar Holden Statesman, which was also introduced in 1990 as a model below the Caprice, was discontinued in September 2010. Between 1971 and 1984, Holden marketed their long-wheelbase sedans under the Statesman marque.
The Holden Ute was a coupe utility built by Holden, the Australian subsidiary of General Motors, since 2000. Before then, Holden had marketed their Commodore-based utility models under the Holden Utility (VG) and Holden Commodore utility names, although the term “Holden Ute” was also used in their official marketing literature. The Holden Ute name is often used for earlier Holden Utility models as the word "ute" is a colloquial term used commonly in Australia for a utility vehicle or pickup truck. Holden's performance division, an independent company called HSV assembles a high-performance version called the Maloo. Between 2003 and 2007, Holden built a stretched, crew cab version of the Ute with four doors and seating for five, called the Holden Crewman and between 2003 and 2005 a cab-chassis version known as the Holden One Tonner.
The Holden Commodore (VZ) is a full-size car that was produced by Holden from 2004 to 2006 as a sedan and to 2007 as a wagon and Ute sold alongside the new VE series. It was the fourth and final iteration of the third generation of the Commodore and the last to spawn a coupé variant. Its range continued to include the luxury variants, Holden Berlina (VZ) and Holden Calais (VZ).
The Holden Commodore (VE) is an executive car that was produced by Holden from 2006 to 2013. It was the first iteration of the fourth generation of the Commodore. Its range included the luxury variants, Holden Berlina (VE) and Holden Calais (VE); utility models were included as the Holden Ute (VE).
The Holden Commodore (VY) is an executive car that was produced by Holden from 2002 to 2004. It was the third iteration of the third generation of the Commodore. Its range included the luxury variants, Holden Berlina (VY) and Holden Calais (VY); commercial versions were called the Holden One Tonner (VY), Holden Ute (VY), and Holden Crewman (VY). In 2003, the range also saw the introduction of the first Commodore-based all-wheel drive variants, including the Holden Adventra (VY) wagon.
The WM and WN series Holden Caprice are a line of full-size/executive cars produced by the Australian manufacturer Holden from September 2006 to October 2017, sold primarily in Australia and New Zealand. They were also exported in various guises to the United States, the Middle East, China and South Korea. The range debuted alongside the smaller VE series Holden Commodore, which the Caprice shares its "Zeta" platform with, on 16 July 2006 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.
The Holden Commodore (VN) is a full-size car that was produced by Holden from 1988 to 1991. It was the first iteration of the second generation of this Australian made model, which was previously a mid-size car, as well as the first Commodore available as a coupé utility. The new range included the luxury variants, Holden Berlina (VN) and Holden Calais (VN) and, from 1990, introduced the commercial Holden Utility (VG).
The Holden Commodore (VP) is a full-size car that was produced by Holden from 1991 to 1993. It was the second iteration of the second generation of the Commodore. Its range included the luxury variants, Holden Berlina (VP) and Holden Calais (VP).
The Holden Commodore (VT) is an executive car that was produced by Holden from 1997 to 2000. It was the first iteration of the third generation of the Commodore and the last one to be powered by a locally made V8 engine (1998). Its range included the luxury variants, Holden Berlina (VT) and Holden Calais (VT) but not a new generation utility version.
The Ford Falcon (AU) is a full-size car that was produced by Ford Australia from 1998 to 2002. It was the sixth generation Ford Falcon and also included the Ford Fairmont (AU)—the luxury-oriented model range. The AU series replaced the EL Falcon constructed on the new at the time EA169 platform, and was replaced by the updated BA series.
The Holden Commodore (VR) is an executive car which was produced by Holden from 1993 to 1995. It was the third iteration of the second generation of the Holden Commodore. The VR range included the luxury variants, Holden Commodore Berlina (VR) and Holden Calais (VR) and a commercial model, the Holden Ute (VR).
The Holden Commodore (VS) is an executive car which was produced by Holden from 1995 to 1997 and 2000 for utility versions. It was the fourth and final iteration of the second generation of the Commodore. The range included the luxury variants, Holden Berlina (VS) and Holden Calais (VS).
The Holden Commodore (VX) is an executive car that was produced by Holden from 2000 to 2002. It was the second iteration of the third generation of the Commodore. Its range included the luxury variants, Holden Berlina (VX) and Holden Calais (VX), and it formed the basis for a new generation Holden Ute (VU) coupé utility and Holden Monaro (V2) coupé.
Statesman is an automotive marque created in 1971 by the Australian General Motors subsidiary, Holden. Statesman vehicles were sold through Holden dealerships, and were initially based on the mainstream Holden HQ station wagon platform, thereby providing more interior room and generally more luxurious features than their Holden-branded sedan siblings. Production ceased with the last of the WB series cars in December 1984.
The Holden V8 engine is an overhead valve (OHV) V8 engine that was produced by the Australian General Motors subsidiary, Holden (GMH), between 1969 and 2000.
The Holden Commodore (VF) is an executive car that was produced by Holden between June 2013 and October 2017. It was the second and last significantly restyled iteration of the fourth generation of the Holden Commodore to be manufactured in Australia. Its range included the sedan and station wagon variants that sold under the luxury Holden Calais (VF) nameplate. Also available was the commercial utility variant that sold under the Holden Ute (VF) nameplate.
The Holden Utility (VG) is a full-size utility that was produced by the Australian manufacturer Holden from 1990 to 1991. It was based upon the Holden Commodore VN) released in 1988, and was the first utility in Holden's Commodore range. It was not badged as part of the Commodore range.
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