GM updates 2009 Chevrolet Caprice for Middle Eastern Markets

What Aussies have come to know as the Holden Statesman / Caprice or otherwise, the long wheelbase (luxury) version of the Commodore - Pontiac G8, is sold in the Middle East under the Chevrolet brand. For 2009, GM has upgraded the Chevrolet Caprice with an all-new six speed automatic transmission and while they were at it, they also improved specifications across the range.

The new six-speed 6L80E automatic transmission with Active Select is available with on the SS and Royale variants with the 6.0-liter engine on that delivers 360HP at 5,700 rpm and peak torque of 530Nm at 4400 rpm. The Caprice is also offered with a 3.6-litre V6 engine generating peak power of 240HP at 6,000 rpm and maximum torque of 330 Nm at 2600 rpm.

The 2009 Caprice V8 SS model receives a number of additions, including high-intensity HID headlamps, remote start to cool down the interior footwell illumination As for the rest of the range, ew chrome-plated plastic interior door handles have been added to the LTZ, SS and Royale, while all models are now available with a new Switchblade Silver paint.

Furthermore, ESP now comes standard on the LTZ V6 variant, while Bluetooth connection for mobile phones is featured on all models from the LTZ upwards.

Vauxhall VXR8 Bathurst S with 560HP Supercharged V8

In the land Down-Under, there's a saying that goes "there's nothing like a V8". Well, let's say that for the sake of conversation, we agree with our fellow Australians. What's even better than a 'normal' V8? The answer comes all the way from Great Britain and Vauxhall which introduced a new supercharged version of the Holden Commodore based (Pontiac G8 in the States), HSV Clubsport R8. Thanks to the addition of a Walkinshaw 122 Supercharger, the Vauxhall VXR8 Bathurst S' 6.0-liter V8 dispenses a mighty 560-horsepower, compared with the standard car's 431HP.

Furthermore, Walkinshaw's 122 Supercharger also boosts torque from 550Nm to an impressive 715Nm (529-lbs /ft). No performance figures have been announced, but let's just tell you that the standard 431HP VRX8 with an automatic gearbox accelerates from 0 to 60 mph (96 km/h) in just 4.9 seconds...

For the record, Vauxhall did not only bolt-on a blower to the LS3 V8. The engineered package also includes a large capacity intercooler, high-flow fuel injectors, a separate cold air intake and Walkinshaw-developed ECU map, while the standard manual gearbox is upgraded with a high-torque capacity clutch.

Buyers also have the option of adding a new Bi-Modal Exhaust that raises power by up to 10-horsepower and allows drivers to select one of two noise settings: 'Street', with an upper limit of 92dbA, or 'Optimum', which releases the LS3 V8's full 102dbA. The two-and-a-half inch diameter system is manufactured from stainless steel with unique chrome tail-pipe finishers and costs £1600.

Other modifications concern the new six-pot front and four-pot rear brake calipers stiffer, height-adjustable springs and Walkinshaw-developed coil-over dampers that have 15 separate valve settings with independent corner adjustment for the owner's preferred setup.

On the outside, the Bathurst S is identifiable by a distinctive graphic pack, front fog light covers and 'Bathurst' badges while inside a console-mounted badge showing the car's build number complements the 'Walkinshaw Performance' tread plates found inside each door opening.

The Vauxhall VXR8 Bathurst S will be produced in a limited number of units with prices in the U.K. set at £44,995 which comes to $66,520 U.S, $99,520 AUS and €51,300 with today's exchange rates.