Chevrolet Captiva to Woo European Buyers
Motoring Channel Staff - 25/Jan/2006
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Chevrolet Captiva
Engine choices encompass two petrol and one diesel unit
New Territory
for Holden
General Motor's Australian operation, Holden,
has been looking for a rival to Ford's Territory
SUV for a couple of years now, and its Adventra
doesn't seem to be cutting the mustard.
And this is exactly where the new Captiva comes
in, which will provide the Holden brand with a
much-needed 7-seat capable SUV. And the icing
on the cake? A diesel engine option.
If Denny Mooney and Holden suits can make a solid
business model for the diesel-powered Captiva
(which may get a name change in Australia) it
would give the Holden SUV a distinct edge in engine
choices, as Ford has said it has no plans for
a diesel-powered Territory. Another day, another
Holden vs Ford battle.
- Feann Torr, Editor
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The Captiva is expected to bolster Chev's European sales
with keen pricing, modern styling and good practicality
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General Motors has targeted the European compact SUV market
with its inspiring new model, based on the S3X concept vehicle,
which will be officially launched at the Geneva Motor Show
in early March '06.
Hoping to capture the hearts and souls of European buyers
with its new Captiva, which will also be launched in Australia
under the Holden badge to rival the Ford Territory at a later
date, the Chevrolet will be offered with a powerful 2.0-litre
turbo diesel engine, and will come in both 5- and 7-seat varieties.
Tailored to European roads and customer requirements, the
vehicle will be available with a modern 2.0-litre 110kW (150hp)
common-rail direct-injection diesel.
Like the two available gasoline versions (2.4-litre 4-cylinder
and 3.2-litre V6), the turbodiesel offers dynamic driving
performance. 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, the executive director of
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.
"With the Captiva giving us access to an additional
and growing vehicle segment," continued Brannon, "and
more new products coming to the market this year, and especially
our new state-of-the-art diesel engines, we have the potential
to continue our growth in a similar way."
Chevrolet explains that the Captiva offers expressive design
and a spacious, convenient interior featuring high quality
fabrics and materials. The new compact SUV measures 4,639mm
long, 1,849mm wide and 1,726mm high and has a wheelbase of
2,707mm. It will be available with seven or five seats respectively.
Customers will also have the choice between front-wheel and
four-wheel-drive variants. The latter variant features an-active-on
demand, four-wheel-drive-system. As driving conditions demand,
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
systems, enhancing driver control of the vehicle and safety
margins. The ESP itself has additional functions like HBA
(Hydraulic Brake Assist), HDC (Hill Descent Control) and ARP
(Anti-Rollover Protection).
Initially, three transversally mounted engines will be available
for the Captiva, says Chevrolet. They include the brand new,
state-of-the-art common rail diesel engine jointly developed
by GM Daewoo Auto & Technology Company, GM Powertrain
and VM Motori.
In its first application, the 16-valve unit offers 110kW/150hp
@ 4000rpm and maximum torque of 310Nm @ 2000rpm. In the ECE
mix, fuel consumption is 8.1L per 100km. It is the first application
of a family of diesel powertrains that will become available
in other Chevrolet products in Europe, beginning in 2006.
The base engine is a 2.4-litre inline DOHC 4-cylinder, delivering
104kW/142hp @ 5200rpm and a torque maximum of 220Nm @ 4000rpm.
The Captiva 2.4 average fuel consumption is 10.8L per 100km.
The top-of-the line 3.2-litre V6 engine produces 165kW/225hp
@ 6000rpm and maximum torque is 302Nm @ 3500rpm.
Suspension layout consists of a McPherson strut configuration
in front and an independent four link design in the rear,
supplying the vehicle with car-like ride and handling abilities.
Ventilated disc brakes are standard on all four wheels, and
4-cylinder versions come standard with 215/70 R16 tyres on
6.5J x 16-inch wheels, while the V6 rolls on 235/60 R17 tyres
on 7.0J x 17-inch wheels.
Despite General Motors recent fiscal woes, shedding tens
of thousands of workers in the US and shutting down numerous
factories, it is still a powerful force on the global automotive
scene, and Chevrolet is the group's leading brand, selling
more than 4 million vehicles in more than 120 countries, and
was also North American's #1 selling brand in 2005 - the first
time since 1986 - a little ray of light for the troubled auto
giant.
The Captiva, which will form an integral part of GM's international
expansion plans, makes its debut at the Geneva motor show
(March 2 - 12, 2006) and will be available in showrooms across
Europe beginning in June.
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