IN a climate where large cars are coming under increasing fire, it’s ironic that Holden has spent so much giving us a Statesman/Caprice range able to compete globally at levels it has never attained before. Not only do the new long-wheelbase Holdens stand alongside top-shelf Europeans with equal poise and presence, they also offer tantalizingly-close levels of quality and dynamic ability. Then you look at the prices and you realize that these cars, compared on just about any basis you like, are stunningly good value. The standard equipment, even at base Statesman V6 level as tested here, is impressive, the drive experience is impressive and the interior space is simply enormous. The Statesman delivers everything that a big, locally designed and built car should.