Paris Motor Show : GM-Daewoo

GM-Daewoo, from 2005 branded as Chevrolet in Europe will exhibit two other new models in addition to the formerly announced S3X concept car.

Chevrolet Kalos: sporty new three-door body style The popular front-wheel-drive Kalos (Aveo, Wave) hatchback and notchback models will soon have a three-door hatchback sister in Europe and in some markets in Latin America, Africa and the Middle East (LAAM). The Paris Motor Show sees the world premiere of the sporty model, which will appear in European showrooms from February 2005 and in LAAM markets in the second quarter of 2005.

The design of the new Chevrolet Kalos (length/width/height: 3,880/1,670/1,495 mm) builds on the dynamic tradition of its four- and five-door siblings. The sporty appearance is underscored by a number of special features such as aerodynamically optimised add-on parts at the front and rear, modified bumpers and striking side sills. The interior also has a fresh and modern appearance. Additional storage spaces and the two-color look of the dashboard are among the other new features.

In Europe, the sporty three-door will be available with a choice of three economical four-cylinder engines, ranging from the 1.2-litre gasoline unit with 53 kW/72 hp and the 1.4-litre 61 kW/83hp unit, to the even livelier 1.4-liter 16-valve version with 69 kW/94 hp. With its engine transmission combination, the three-door Chevrolet Kalos performs as well as it looks. It accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 11.1 sec and has a respectable top speed of 176 km/h. Even with this performance, owners will not have to visit a fuel station often. With the car's average consumption of 7.0 litres per 100 km (14.2 km/l), the 45-litre tank will take them 642 km without a stop.

Currently accounting for around 42 percent of the company's sales in Europe, the Kalos, first introduced two years ago, has become the most important model for GM Daewoo (in Western Europe) and Chevrolet (in Central and Eastern Europe). In the first six months of this year, some 40,000 European customers ordered the compact five-door car. In the United States, the model (which came onto the market there last year as the Chevrolet Aveo) has made its mark as well. In August more than 6,500 Aveos were sold, making it by far the best seller in its segment with a market share of 46.6 percent. Total sales in the first eight months of this year surpassed 32,000 vehicles.

Chevrolet Matiz M3X: cheeky and quick mini-car concept Chevrolet's Matiz M3X show car offers a glimpse of the next generation of the popular Matiz mini-car. The car will make its debut in South Korea and Europe in spring 2005 and in numerous additional markets around the globe in the second half of 2005 or early in 2006. One particularly striking feature of the production concept is its round LED front headlamp design, which is matched at the rear by its signature round taillights. The overall style of the M3X conveys a striking personality due to a combination of short body overhangs, steeply rising shoulder lines and converging feature lines in the engine hood. A roof spoiler underlines the sporty look of the car, as do the twin, centrally positioned exhaust pipes and the large 16-inch alloy wheels with their double-spoke design. Side indicators are located below the front headlamps and for added safety in the side mirrors.

The large, panorama glass roof highlights an exceptionally light interior. The roof can be opened to provide plenty of fresh air. It also allows a clear view into the spacious cabin, which, with the M3X is a study in contrast with its blue fabric and metal applications on the gear lever, steering wheel and air vents.

Despite its easy-to-park dimensions (just 3.5 m long and 1.5 m wide), the Matiz M3X feels surprisingly roomy inside. At 1.5 m, it stands taller than most mini-cars and the wheelbase of just under 2.35 m is also above average. This means that, due to the high seating position, the Matiz M3X can comfortably accommodate four adults. The study offers effective additional luggage accommodation with roof rails, which not only underline the car's sporty appearance, but also make it easy to attach any kind of carrier system. Even when fully loaded, the power plant of the Matiz M3X will provide excellent performance: The smooth and economical 1.0-litre four-cylinder engine generates 47 kW/64 hp at 5,400 rpm and is good for a top speed in excess of 150 km/h.

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