First released in March, 1990, the VQ Series saw another model resurected after its demise in 1984- this time the long wheel base Statesman and Caprice. The Deville tag was dropped and the rather than being known as a Statesman Caprice, the top of the line factory offering was now known simply as the Caprice.

Based on the VN, the Series I VQs had two noticable exceptions, these being the longer wheel base over the VN Commodore and wagon (4850mm for the Commodore, 4896mm for the wagon and 4960mm for the Statesman and Caprice) and the addition of Independant Rear Suspension- a first for an Australian designed and built car.

Exterior styling also showed much similar to the VN Commodore although a new front bumper and grille which was attached to the bonnet were added to give the car a classier look. The C pillar was given an all glass look to accentuate the extra length of the vehicle and display the extra interior space. The VQ Series I number plate found its home in a recess on the rear bumper and was lit from above. As would be expected, the interior was all class with an upgraded steering wheel, leather options and a darker coloured dash.

Options wise- there was really nothing that could not be added to either the Statesman or Caprice and both came equipped with a 5.0-litre EFI V8 and TH 700 automatic transmission, IRS, climate-control air-conditioning, power steering, power windows, central locking and multi-speaker surround sound systems as standard equipment. Pricing was actually quite reasonable with the Statesman priced slightly higher than a V8 VN Calais whilst the Caprice came in as Holden's most expensive vehicle to date at around $60,000- largely due to the federal government's luxury car tax.

VQ Series I vehicles also found their way into the hands of HSV who then released the SV90 (180kw) and Statesman 5000i (200kw).

In December 1991, with the recent release of the VP, the VQ Series II saw both the Statesman and Caprice revised and brought into line with the enhancements found in the VP Commodore. This included gas bonnet struts, new look bumpers, front seat belt height adjusters and new instrument graphics and power-adjustable front seats with memory. Leather trim was now standard on the Caprice. Side indicator repeaters were added aswell as new badging to further distinguish the Series II from the Series I.

Mechanically, both cars gained the Variatronic speed-sensitive power steering first seen on the VP Calais and ABS brakes were made standard on the Caprice and optional for the Statesman.

In order to further the range available, Series II VQ Statesmans could be optioned with the 3.8litre V6 aswell as a front three seater bench and column shift. Rather than the alloy wheels fitted to the V8 models, the V6 equipped vehicles came with steel wheels and Series I wheel covers.

April 1993 saw the release of an upgrade pack to the standard equipment levels which included a boot-mounted spoiler for the Statesman, a 10-stacker CD player for the Caprice and leather steering wheels for both models.

Further details of all drive trains offered across the VQ range can be found here.

A full list of models in the VQ range can be found here.