Holden introduced the Caprice/Statesman lineup based on the same platform as the Commodore, which GM used for the Opel/Vauxhall Omega and the Cadillac Catera.
Being part of a giant carmaker also includes the advantages of know-how for various components or platforms. The European arm of General Motors, Opel, built a car fit for the European roads. It meant that it was comfortable and it didn’t lack in the handling department. While the Europeans didn’t like big engines, the Australians didn’t have a problem with that, so they put bigger engines in it to solve the performance issue. The 1999 Caprice/Statesman was the longer wheelbase version of the Commodore, and it was built mainly for CEOs and authorities.

With sharp lines and clear lenses, its angular looking headlights were specific for the Commodore’s more upmarket version. Its wider, rectangular grille with horizontal slats resembled some other premium cars and led to some jokes about its look. But the clean lines, with slight enlargements over the front and rear wheel-arches, impressed with a muscular line. It looked like a body-builder at a black-tie event.

Holden gambled on the same smooth and curved forms from the outside combined with straight lines for the interior. The designers developed the center stack over the center console. Thanks to its long wheelbase, there was plenty of room on the rear bench, profiled for two occupants separated by a folding armrest.

Under the hood, Holden installed the smooth 3.8-liter V6 engine for the base model and a V8 for the full version. With a 5.7-liter displacement, the latter came from the GM’s parts bin, and it could be found under the hood of a few American sports cars.