Chevrolet Unveils Epica and Captiva at the 2006 Geneva Motor Show - VIDEO ENHANCED
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Click4Video of Epica introduction.
Click4Video of Captiva introduction.
Geneva - February 27, 2006: The Epica is a world premiere, the Captiva is the first all new Chevrolet designed and developed for the European market.
Epica
The Epica is the first car that Chevrolet Europe will put on the market with a six-cylinder engine. It will also be the first transversally installed in-line six in the mid-size category in Europe, and finally, in early 2007, it will become available with a diesel engine. Boasting a comprehensive range of comfort and safety equipment, the new four-door Epica is scheduled for distribution in early summer 2006.
With its sporty yet stylish contours, the Evanda successor will suit the taste of European drivers. In the clearly organized front section, attention focuses in particular on design details like the large wrap-around, clear-glass headlamps, the powerful-looking cross strut with its large Chevrolet emblem in the chrome-plated grille, and the fog lamps integrated harmoniously like spotlights into the bumper.
The Epica also radiates a clean, modern look from the side. Its wedge-shaped profile is dominated by a striking character line that runs along the upper half of the door, extending to the front and rear wings. The effect is emphasized by the fact that the grab-type body-coloured door handles are positioned exactly on this character line. Another eyecatching feature are the large outer mirrors with integrated indicator lamps. The rear view is dominated by the large bumper and the tail lamps with circular lamp lenses, joined by a wide chrome strut.
Compared with its predecessor, the Evanda, the front-wheel Epica has grown in stature. The length of 4,804 mm (plus 34 mm), width of 1,807 mm and height of 1,449 mm, in combination with the wheelbase of 2,700 mm, guarantee a generous amount of space inside for the passengers and luggage. For the latter, the trunk has a capacity of 435 l (according to the VDA standard). With its asymmetrically split, folding rear seat backrest and an armrest opening for such items as skis, the new Epica is also well equipped for carrying difficult items.
Safety: Stable passenger compartment, six airbags and ABS brake system
The Epica has a modern chassis with McPherson suspension struts at the front and a multi-link rear suspension. They are accompanied by a highly efficient brake unit with four disk brakes as standard (ventilated at the front), four-channel ABS and electronic brake-power distribution. The standard safety package for the Epica also includes many passive safety features like the rigid passenger cell (made 40 percent of high-strength steel) plus front airbags for the driver and front-seat passenger and side and curtain airbags.
The equipment in the new Chevrolet sedan corresponds to that of an upper mid-size car. The Epica is available in two equipment versions, the LS and LT. In the pleasantly styled interior, an ergonomically designed cockpit with a large display for the board computer (LT) makes driving both more comfortable and easier. The basic LS version has a height-adjustable driver's seat, electrical window raisers at the front and back, remote-controlled central locking, thermal insulation glass, air-conditioning and a leather steering wheel. Optional accessories include light alloy wheels (up to 17") and audio units with an MP3 player.
The top model, the Epica LT, has additional features that include automatic air-conditioning and cruise control. The already comprehensive selection of equipment can be extended even further with other comfort and safety options that include the 8x adjustable driver's seat, full leather upholstery, traction control and a parking aid at the rear.
Engine: Transversally installed smooth-running power plants plus new automatic transmission
Initially, the front-wheel drive Epica will be powered by one of two six-cylinder gasoline engines with displacements of 2.0 and 2.5 litres. The transversally mounted in-line engines run outstandingly smoothly. It is all down to the construction: The crankshaft drive has perfect mass balance, which means that - unlike in a V-arrangement - neither free forces of inertia nor moments of inertia send annoying vibrations to the drive train.
Just as impressive as the smoothness of the 142 hp and 157 hp six-cylinder engines is their acceleration. They take the Epica from 0 to 100 km/h in 11.8 and 10.1 sec respectively*. The 2.0-litre engine is delivered as standard with a five-speed manual transmission, while the top model comes complete with a new five-speed automatic transmission that is also available as an option for the smaller engine. The MVEG combined fuel consumption for the 2.0-litre six-cylinder version is 9.0 l per 100 km, with automatic transmission 9.5 l.
In early 2007, Chevrolet will add the option of a 2.0-litre four-cylinder common-rail turbo diesel to its list of engines. This power plant has been developed jointly by GM Daewoo and GM Powertrain. It generates 150 hp and develops its maximum torque of 310 Nm at 2,000 rpm. A particle filter will also be available.
Between 2003 and 2005, over 10,000 Evandas (Epica's predecessor) were registered on the European market (including Russia and Ukraine). Chevrolet's European boss, Wayne Brannon: "The new Epica, with its European design and its unique range of in-line six-cylinder engines, certainly has what it takes to significantly exceed this figure."
Captiva
The new Captiva is the first all-new product to be designed and developed by Chevrolet for the European market. Its bold, striking design provides a glimpse of the future for Chevrolet in Europe with strong design cues that will become familiar on future new products. Captiva is not just good looking, it’s practical too with five or seven seat capability and a flexible seat arrangement that can be folded flat throughout. A high level of interior fit and finish and the use of high quality materials will surprise when seen against Captiva’s great value for money positioning. Additional detail like the opening glass panel in the rear tailgate and spring assisted seventh seat operation with pop-up head restraints, exhibit the attention to detail that is apparent throughout the new car. As you would expect from Chevrolet, value for money to the customer is key yet levels of specification are comprehensive on all derivatives, for example front and curtain airbags are standard across the range.
It was Chevrolet who launched the original SUV with the Suburban back in 1935 - Cap-tiva is the latest model in a long line of authentic Chevrolet SUVs. It debuts at the Ge-neva Motor Show (March 2 - 12, 2006) and will be available in showrooms across Europe starting in June.
Captiva is the first Chevrolet in Europe to be equipped with a diesel engine. The initial version of a new family developed as a joint programme between GMDAT and GM Pow-ertrain, the engine is also built in an all new factory. Alongside 2.4 litre and 3.2 litre V6 gasoline engines, Captiva comes with the new 2.0 litre, four cylinder 150hp variant of the new diesel with common rail injection offering high levels of efficiency and refinement. The Captiva will also be the first model in Chevrolet’s European range available with an electronic stability program (ESP).
“Chevrolet continues to grow at a remarkable pace in Europe”, said Wayne Brannon, Executive Director, Chevrolet Europe. “Selling just over 240,000 cars in Europe in 2005, 26 percent more than in 2004, we closed last year with another sales record. Here in Geneva, we have two world premieres, the Epica and the Captiva. With their six cylinder and diesel engines, they break new ground for our brand in Europe. And the Captiva gives us access to an additional and growing vehicle segment. So we have the potential to continue to grow in a similar way as last year.”
Captiva’s expressive design can be described as “strong, sophisticated and sporty”. It is a spacious, practical and tough vehicle designed with optimum on-road ride and handling characteristics but highly capable in difficult weather and road conditions. Customers will have the choice between front-wheel and all-wheel-drive variants, the latter featuring an active on demand all-wheel-drive system. As driving conditions dictate, the rear axle is instantly employed via an electronically controlled electro-magnetic coupling to give maximum traction. The system also seamlessly interacts with the ESP and ABS sys-tems, enhancing driver control of the vehicle and safety margins. The ESP itself has ad-ditional functions like HBA (Hydraulic Brake Assist), HDC (Hill Descent Control), ARP (Active-Rollover Protection), FBS (Fading Brake Support) and TSA (Trailer Stabilization Assist). Importantly, development of the European ride and handling dynamics has been carried out with Millbrook, GM’s proving ground in the UK. Along with durability testing, this has ensured that the characteristics of Captiva’s on road behaviour match customer demands across Europe.
Its sleek yet bold design is accentuated by strong wheel arches and a sweeping feature line that runs from the front fender vent through to the tail lamps. A grey sill finish runs around the vehicle, reducing its apparent height and is interrupted by contrasting ‘under-tray’ features on front and rear bumpers. Design sophistication also features inthe cylin-drical prism type headlamps, LED type turn signal lamps, turn signal repeaters in the door mirrors and flush fitting, pull-out type door handles.
The wide tailgate with its integrated opening window underlines the practical side of the Captiva. Inside it is spacious, with seating for five and optional seating for seven pas-sengers. It measures 4,635/1,850/1,720 mm (length/width/height) and stands on a wheelbase of 2,705 mm. In five passenger configuration, it offers a trunk volume of 405 litres (VDA method). All seats, including the front passenger seat, can be folded forward and down, achieving a flat surface. Restating a Chevrolet hallmark, it offers plenty of storage space, including a wide net below the instrument panel.
The instrument panel itself is separated from the middle console, making it easy to walk through to the other side. Style and function characterize the interior design, with high class materials and an impressive level of fit and finish. The instrument cluster features easy to read semi-circular dials accentuated by aluminium style rims.
The elegant, fully integrated and flush fit infotainment unit in the middle console aims to provide best in class entertainment. Its features include an eight way speaker system, an amplifier with an output of 4 x 45 watts, an in-dash six CD changer with MP3 capability. Full integration of the audio system also aids security. The console houses the driver in-formation system providing data including Electronic Climate control, outside tempera-ture, compass, average fuel consumption and vehicle speed, and range for remaining fuel. The comprehensive safety equipment includes dual front airbags roof side and cur-tain airbags, knee bolsters and safety belt pretensioners and load limiters for the front passenger.
Initially, three transversally mounted engines will be available for the Captiva. They in-clude the brand new, state-of-the-art GM common rail diesel engine jointly developed between GMDAT and GM Powertrain. In its first application, the 16 valve unit offers 110 kW (150 hp) at 4,000 rpm and maximum torque of 320 Nm at 2,000 rpm. The combined fuel consumption is 7.6 l per 100 km. It is the first application of a family of diesel power-trains that will become available in other Chevrolet products in Europe, later this year.
The gasoline engine is a 2.4 litre in-line DOHC four cylinder, delivering 100 kW (133 hp) at 5,000 rpm and a torque maximum of 220 Nm at 2,200 rpm. Its average fuel consump-tion is 9.9 l per 100 km. The top-of-the line 3.2 litre V6 engine (not available in all coun-tries) produces 169 kW (225 hp) at 6,600 rpm, maximum torque is 297 Nm at 3,200 rpm. Its combined fuel consumption is 11.7 l per 100 km.
Suspension layout consists of a McPherson strut configuration in front and an independ-ent four link design in the rear. Ventilated disc brakes are standard on all four wheels. Four cylinder versions come standard with 215/70 R 16 tyres on 6.5J x 16 inch wheels, while the V6 rolls on 235/60 R 17 tyres on 7.0J x 17 inch wheels. 235/55 R 18 are avail-able.
Chevrolet is the leading global brand of General Motors with almost 4.4 million vehicles sold in over 120 countries. Chevrolet has been the market leader in Latin America for five consecutive years and in North America, Chevrolet became the number one selling brand in 2005 – for the first time since 1986 with a total of 2.67 million vehicles sold.