Chevrolet Caprice

Chevrolet Caprice: which generation changed what

The catalogue lists six generations of Chevrolet Caprice. Body type in the data is Sedan for the sixth (2006–2017), fifth (1999–2006) and fourth (1990–1996), Coupe for the third (1976–1990) and first (1965–1970), and Cabrio for the second (1970–1976). Drive is RWD and gearbox is Automatic on every version. Fuel type, where measured, is Gasoline. Boost is No where measured.

The catalogue lists six generations of Chevrolet Caprice. Body type in the data is Sedan for the sixth (2006–2017), fifth (1999–2006) and fourth (1990–1996), Coupe for the third (1976–1990) and first (1965–1970), and Cabrio for the second (1970–1976). Drive is RWD and gearbox is Automatic on every version. Fuel type, where measured, is Gasoline. Boost is No where measured.

What actually moves a buyer from one generation to another is not the body label alone. Sixth generation adds a 6-speed Automatic (both 3.6 AT and 6.0 AT) versus 4 speeds on generations 5–3 and 3 speeds on generations 2–1. Ground clearance falls from 180 mm on fourth generation and 178 mm on fifth to 110 mm on sixth — 70 mm and 68 mm lower. Tank volume falls from 95 L (third) to 87 L (fourth) to 75 L (fifth) to 70 L (sixth). Rear brakes switch from Drum on fourth generation to Disc on fifth and sixth. Rear suspension is Dependent, spring on third generation Coupe and Independent, spring on fourth, fifth and sixth. Valves per cylinder go from 2 (fifth and fourth) to 4 (sixth).

Power density also jumps. Sixth generation 3.6 AT makes 301 hp from 3565 cm³ — 84.4 hp per litre. Fifth generation 3.8 AT makes 204 hp from 3791 cm³ — 53.8 hp per litre. That is 30.6 hp per litre more from a smaller 6-cylinder V-shaped Gasoline engine, not from a larger one.

Specs: engines compared version by version

All names below are catalogue names. Same names in one generation are split by horsepower.

Sixth generation 3.6 AT is the only 6-cylinder with 4 valves per cylinder in this set. Fifth generation 3.8 AT is the other 6-cylinder, with 2 valves per cylinder. Every other version is 8-cylinder V-shaped.

Horsepower per litre (hp ÷ displacement in litres): 3.6 AT 84.4; first generation 6.5 AT 50.0; fifth 5.7 AT 54.0; fifth 3.8 AT 53.8; second 6.6 AT (370 hp) 56.1; second 6.6 AT (258 hp) 39.1; sixth 6.0 AT 60.4; fourth 4.3 AT (both 203 hp rows) 47.1; fourth 5.7 AT (264 hp) 46.0; fourth 5.7 AT (200 hp) 34.9; fourth 5.0 AT (both 172 hp rows) 34.4; third 4.3 AT 32.6; third 5.0 AT 31.0; third 5.7 AT 30.7. The extra displacement of sixth generation 6.0 AT versus 3.6 AT is 2400 cm³ for 59 hp more — 24.6 hp per extra litre. Fifth generation 5.7 AT versus 3.8 AT is 1874 cm³ for 102 hp more — 54.4 hp per extra litre, so that step buys more power per added cubic centimetre than the sixth-generation V8 step.

Injection, where measured: Distributed injection (multi-point) on sixth generation both versions, fifth generation both versions, fourth generation both 4.3 AT, both 5.7 AT, and the heavier 5.0 AT (1975 kg). Central injection (single-point or single- point) on fourth generation 5.0 AT (1770 kg) and third generation 4.3 AT. Third generation 5.7 AT and 5.0 AT, both second generation 6.6 AT, and first generation 6.5 AT: injection not measured.

Performance, mpg, and 0–100: what the extra engine buys

Measured 0–100 km/h, fastest to slowest: sixth 6.0 AT 6.0 s; fifth 5.7 AT 7.7 s; sixth 3.6 AT 7.8 s; fourth 5.7 AT (264 hp) 8.3 s; fourth 5.7 AT (200 hp) 9 s; fourth 4.3 AT (1850 kg) 9.7 s; fourth 5.0 AT (1770 kg) 10.5 s; fourth 5.0 AT (1975 kg) 11.5 s; third 5.7 AT 12 s; third 4.3 AT 13 s; third 5.0 AT 13.8 s. Not measured: fifth 3.8 AT, fourth 4.3 AT (2029 kg), both second generation 6.6 AT, first generation 6.5 AT.

Sixth generation 6.0 AT is 1.8 s quicker than 3.6 AT and 15 km/h faster at the top (240 versus 225). Fifth generation 5.7 AT is 0.1 s quicker than sixth 3.6 AT with 5 hp more, but uses a 4-speed Automatic and 2 valves per cylinder. Fourth generation 5.7 AT (264 hp) is 1.4 s slower than fifth 5.7 AT (306 hp) despite the same catalogue name: 42 hp less, 13 Nm less (447 versus 460), and Drum rear brakes versus Disc.

Top speed, where measured: 240 (6.0 AT), 230 (fifth 5.7 AT), 225 (3.6 AT), 200 (fourth 5.7 AT 200 hp), 195 (fourth 4.3 AT both rows and 5.7 AT 264 hp), 190 (both fourth 5.0 AT), 184 (third 5.7 AT), 176 (third 4.3 AT), 174 (third 5.0 AT). Fifth 3.8 AT, both second 6.6 AT, first 6.5 AT: not measured.

Fuel consumption (L/100 km) is measured only on fourth generation. Mixed: 4.3 AT (1850 kg) 11.3; both 5.0 AT 12.4; 5.7 AT (200 hp) 14.6; 5.7 AT (264 hp) 15.7. City: 15.5 / 17 / 20 / 21 in the same order. Highway: 8.9 / 10 / 12 / 13. Fourth 4.3 AT (2029 kg): city, highway and mixed not measured. All other generations: city, highway, mixed and CO2 not measured. Eco class is not measured on every version. That is why “mpg” cannot be ranked across 2006–2017 or 1999–2006 from this dataset: those cells are empty, not zero.

Fuel grade, where measured: 92 on sixth 3.6 AT and on fourth 4.3 AT and 5.0 AT rows; 95 on sixth 6.0 AT and both fifth generation versions; 80 on fourth 5.7 AT (264 hp) and third 4.3 AT. Third 5.7 AT, third 5.0 AT, both 6.6 AT, 6.5 AT: not measured. Choosing sixth 6.0 AT over 3.6 AT is also a step from 92 to 95.

Weight, dimensions, tank, clearance

Kerb weight, lightest measured to heaviest: fifth 3.8 AT 1689 kg; fifth 5.7 AT 1735 kg; fourth 5.0 AT (1770 kg); sixth 3.6 AT 1780 kg; fourth 5.7 AT (200 hp) 1820 kg; sixth 6.0 AT 1844 kg; fourth 4.3 AT (1850 kg) and 5.7 AT (264 hp) 1850 kg; fourth 5.0 AT (1975 kg); fourth 4.3 AT (2029 kg). Not measured: all three third generation Coupe versions, both second generation 6.6 AT, first generation 6.5 AT. Gross weight is measured only on sixth 3.6 AT: 2280 kg. Payload on that row is 500 kg (2280 − 1780). Every other gross weight is not measured. Wheel size is not measured on every version. Length, width and wheelbase are not in this dataset.

Kg per hp (kerb ÷ hp), where both exist: sixth 6.0 AT 5.12; sixth 3.6 AT 5.91; fifth 5.7 AT 5.67; fourth 5.7 AT (264 hp) 7.01; fifth 3.8 AT 8.28; fourth 5.7 AT (200 hp) 9.10; fourth 4.3 AT (1850 kg) 9.11; fourth 4.3 AT (2029 kg) 10.00; fourth 5.0 AT (1770 kg) 10.29; fourth 5.0 AT (1975 kg) 11.48. The 1975 kg 5.0 AT carries 205 kg more than the 1770 kg 5.0 AT at the same 172 hp and is 1.0 s slower (11.5 versus 10.5). The 2029 kg 4.3 AT is 179 kg heavier than the 1850 kg 4.3 AT at the same 203 hp; 0–100 on the heavier row is not measured.

Ground clearance: 180 mm (all six fourth generation versions), 178 mm (both fifth), 150 mm (all three third), 110 mm (both sixth). Second and first: not measured. Tank: 95 L (third), 87 L (fourth), 75 L (fifth), 70 L (sixth); second and first not measured. Front brakes: Ventilated disc from sixth through third; Disc on both 6.6 AT and on 6.5 AT. Rear: Disc on sixth, fifth and third; Drum on fourth; not measured on second and first.

Which version to choose

Daily Sedan, 2006–2017. Take 3.6 AT. It is 64 kg lighter than 6.0 AT (1780 versus 1844), uses 92 rather than 95, and still does 7.8 s and 225 km/h. Specific output 84.4 hp/L is the highest in the catalogue. You give up 59 hp, 162 Nm, 1.8 s and 15 km/h. Gross weight is measured only here (2280 kg). Clearance 110 mm is the lowest measured on the model — if you need 178–180 mm, this generation is the wrong generation, not the wrong engine.

Fastest measured Sedan. Take 6.0 AT (360 hp, 521 Nm, 6.0 s, 240 km/h). Power peak rpm, torque peak rpm, compression and bore × stroke are not measured on this row; they are measured on 3.6 AT (6000 rpm, 3200 rpm, 10.2, bore × stroke not measured). Weight per hp 5.12 is the lowest measured. The 8-cylinder V-shaped 5965 cm³ engine is 2400 cm³ larger than 3.6 AT.

1999–2006 Sedan. Take 5.7 AT (306 hp) unless you only want the lightest kerb (1689 kg on 3.8 AT). 5.7 AT adds 102 hp and 155 Nm for 46 kg (1735 versus 1689). 0–100 and top speed on 3.8 AT are not measured, so you cannot claim the six-cylinder is “almost as fast” from this data. Both use 95, 4-speed Automatic, RWD, Independent, spring suspension, Ventilated disc / Disc, 75 L, 178 mm.

1990–1996 Sedan, fuel figures available. Take 4.3 AT (203 hp, 1850 kg): mixed 11.3 L/100 km, 9.7 s, 195 km/h, 47.1 hp/L. Do not take 5.0 AT (172 hp, 1770 kg) for “more engine”: it is 31 hp down, 0.8 s slower, 1.1 L/100 km thirstier mixed, and uses Central injection (single-point or single- point) versus Distributed injection (multi-point) on 4.3 AT. The second 5.0 AT (172 hp, 1975 kg) is the same power with Distributed injection (multi-point) but 205 kg heavier and 11.5 s — the worst kg/hp among measured Caprice rows (11.48).

1990–1996, more power. Take 5.7 AT (264 hp), not 5.7 AT (200 hp). Same 5733 cm³, same 8-cylinder V-shaped layout, same 2 valves, same No boost. The 264 hp row adds 64 hp and 54 Nm, cuts 0.7 s (8.3 versus 9), and is 30 kg heavier (1850 versus 1820). Mixed use is 1.1 L/100 km higher (15.7 versus 14.6). Fuel grade is 80 versus 92. Top speed is 195 versus 200 — 5 km/h lower despite more power. The 200 hp 5.7 AT is close to 4.3 AT (203 hp) in power (3 hp less) but 3.3 L/100 km thirstier mixed and 0.7 s quicker.

Two identical names in generation 4. 4.3 AT 1850 kg versus 4.3 AT 2029 kg: same 203 hp, 332 Nm, 4312 cm³, 92, 195 km/h. Buy the 1850 kg row if 0–100 and mpg matter — those are measured there and not measured on 2029 kg. 5.0 AT 1770 kg versus 1975 kg: same 172 hp and 190 km/h; buy 1770 kg for 10.5 s versus 11.5 s, knowing injection is Central injection (single-point or single- point) on the lighter row and Distributed injection (multi-point) on the heavier.

Coupe, 1976–1990. Take 5.7 AT (175 hp): 12 s and 184 km/h versus 13 s / 176 on 4.3 AT (140 hp) and 13.8 s / 174 on 5.0 AT (155 hp). 5.0 AT is 20 hp down on 5.7 AT and 0.8 s slower than even 4.3 AT. Kerb weight is not measured on all three, so you cannot pick by kg/hp. Valves, injection, compression, fuel, torque rpm: measured on 4.3 AT (2 valves, Central injection (single-point or single- point), 9.3, 80, 2000 rpm); not measured on 5.7 AT and 5.0 AT. Rear suspension is Dependent, spring — the last generation in this data with that label.

Cabrio, 1970–1976. Both versions are 6.6 AT. Take 370 hp over 258 hp: +112 hp, 56.1 versus 39.1 hp/L, same 6600 cm³, 8-cylinder V-shaped, Automatic 3, RWD, compression 8.5, Front, longitudinal. Torque, 0–100, top speed, tank, weight, clearance, rear suspension, rear brakes, boost, valves, injection, fuel: not measured on both. You are choosing horsepower, not a measured sprint.

Coupe, 1965–1970. Only 6.5 AT (325 hp, 6500 cm³, 8-cylinder V-shaped, 2 valves, Automatic 3, RWD). 50.0 hp/L sits between the two 6.6 AT rows. Torque, 0–100, top speed, fuel, tank, weight, clearance: not measured. There is no second engine in this generation to compare.

Reliability and problems. This dataset has no failure rates, oil capacity, or workshop claims. What can be said without inventing: every measured engine is Gasoline without boost; every gearbox is Automatic; every drive is RWD. The mechanical splits that do exist are 6-speed versus 4-speed versus 3-speed, 4 valves versus 2, Independent rear versus Dependent, Disc versus Drum, 110 mm versus 178–180 mm, and 92 versus 95 versus 80. Those are the differences a buyer can check against a specific 3.6 AT, 6.0 AT, 3.8 AT, 5.7 AT, 4.3 AT, 5.0 AT, 6.6 AT or 6.5 AT row above.