Chevrolet’s New SUV

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March 18th, 2007 under Automobile and Luxury SUVs. 26 Comments

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Overview:

With Aveo sedan, Aveo U-VA, Optra, SRV and Tavera General Motors is one of the few players in India that offer cars in all segment. With Spark, Epica sedan and Captiva SUV in its pipe line it will become a complete player in India. Let’s have a preview on one such product the Captiva SUV. The premium compact SUV (Sports Utility Vehicle) segment is already dominated by cars like Honda CR-V, Ford Endeavour, Hyundai Tucson, Nissan X-Trail and Mitsubishi Pajero. Manufacturers are showing keen interest to grab this niche market Honda has replaced the second generation CR-V with the new one last year and soon Ford will launch the Endeavour CRDi.

GM introduced a crossover (fusion of two segment of cars) named Chevrolet Forrester, the first Chevrolet model introduced in India when we unheard of the concept and discontinued it in 2006. Forrester failure is because of its High pricing. GM has now understood the Indian market and well the world’s first SUV maker has gained new image in past four years. GM will come up with ‘true value for money’ car Captiva SUV in September. The ex-Daewoo organisation, now known as GM-DAT (Daewoo Automobile Technologies) is where Captiva is developed. There are two variants of Captiva LS and LT. LS variant is petrol powered, front-wheel drive with five seats, LT is diesel powered front- wheel drive or 4WD with five or seven-seats.

Engine and Powertrain:

Captiva is available both in diesel and petrol versions internationally. For India diesel is expected to be launched first which will be followed by petrol. Captiva diesel will take on pajero, X-trail, tucson and endeavour, while the captiva petrol will take on the only petrol premium compact SUV Honda CR-V. The diesel is a brand new, state-of-the-art common rail diesel engine jointly developed by GM Powertrain and VM Motori. Chevrolets first ever diesel compact SUV is powered by 2.0L, 16-valve unit which offers 150bhp at 4,000 rpm and maximum torque of 310Nm at 2000rpm. This same dieselengine is expected to power the soon to be launched Chevrolet Optra. Chances are that Chevrolet will throw in an automatic transmission as an option as well with five speed manual for Captiva. The petrol engine is a 2.4 litre in-line 16-valve four-cylinder, delivering 142bhp at 5,200rpm and a torque maximum of 220Nm at 4,000rpm. As the Captiva destined to developing markets, both the variable geometry turbo (VGT) diesel and refined petrol engine is expected to deliver decent fuel efficiency figure.

Design and Engineering:

Ford endeavour looks like truck whereas you cannot tell Honda CR-V actually a SUV.

In Europe actually Chevrolet targets MPV- Multi Purpose vehicles rather than SUVs. But with a huge price tag in India it cannot do so. Popular MPVs such as Mahindra Scorpio, Chevrolet Tavera, Tata Safari and Toyota Innova are sold at a price of 10lakhs. The Captiva’s look is strong yet sophisticated, an eye-catching interplay between toughness and style. The lean side profile is dominated by the 17”large wheels and bold wheel-arches, while the lower grille is underlined by a rugged skid plate. 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 in the cylindrical prism type headlamps, LED type turn signal lamps, turn signal repeaters in the door mirrors and the snazzy flush fitting, pullout-type door handles. Twin exhaust pipe on both LS and LT models adds a sporty touch to the Captiva.

Click here to view Chevrolet Captiva 360′

Inside the Captiva…

The Captiva offers a commanding driving position very important for this kind of cars.

The ergonomically designed, matte black and brushed aluminum look dashboard makes driving the Captiva a joy. The driver trip computer which provides valuable feedback like average fuel and speed, range, compass and external temperature and electrically adjustable rear view mirror will make the Captiva easy to drive. The Captiva looks about the size of a Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara but offers an excellent storage space is, including a deep, wide glovebox, a two-tier front centre armrest, big door pockets, underfloor side compartments in the boot and a horizontal locker above the right rear wheel housing. There’s a sunglasses holder, too, plus cupholders and 12-volt power points. All models have alloy wheels, four electric windows but no auto-up facility because the required anti-trap mechanism is too expensive – the facility is to protect your fingers (nice facility but not found in Indian cars). A CD player and air con, plus the inevitable reminders for seatbelts and key in ignition. Storage for five-passenger car is 465 litres, rising to 930 litres when you lower the second row. However, if you use all seven seats, room for luggage is restricted to 85 litres. Whatever layout you choose, there is the benefit of opening rear glass, so you needn’t raise the entire tailgate to gain access to the boot.

Handling and Safety:

Like the CR-V, the Captiva is based on a car-like monocoque platform and comes with self leveling independent suspension, both at the front and rear wheels. With power steering aided by adjustable steering column (also telescopic on the diesel version), disc brakes on all wheels Chevrolet tag for this SUV is ‘Just like a car’. The main problem common among SUV’s is the traction control i.e. they fail at corners, however the suspension set-up of Captiva is said to give the vehicle a decent body control. Chevrolet claim the all-wheel drive model offers a safer and more secure drive in poor road conditions and it’s hard to argue with that contention, especially on our wet roads. The Captivas 4×4 set-up is an on-demand system, meaning that as driving conditions require, the rear axle is instantly selected via an electromagnetic coupling to give maximum traction through all four wheels. The set-up 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 (Active Rollover Protection). With these features I hope you can safely drive in muddy roads of your favourite touring place with Captiva.

Summing it up…

Captiva is expected to be priced between 16 – 19 lakhs and will be launched by the end of 2007. If you think, Captiva is not affordable just rent a car for your outing.

Earlier General Motors slammed brakes on plans to roll-out two of its boutique brands–the hulking Hummer and the Cadillac–in India for the sake of this Chevrolet Captiva. With these specifications and the backing of the Chevy badge, the decision seems to be right. Captiva is bit stronger than the Honda CR-V and Hyundai Tucson, but whether the Indian customer will forgo his magical loyalty to that Japanese brand or his faith in Hyundai is to be watched.

26 Responses to “Chevrolet’s New SUV”

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1 karthi Mar 20th, 2007 at 1:52 pm

Maruti Udyog Ltd will launch its new Grand Vitara (Escudo) sports utility vehicle (SUV) with a 2L-engine capacity in early June, and follow it with a sedan in the A3 segment.
source The Hindu
2 karthi Mar 31st, 2007 at 6:39 pm

Hindustan motors will launch new Mitsubishi montero by the end of 2007.The new Montero diesel will be powered by a 3.2L 4 cylinder common rail engine which pumps out 160bhp whereas new Montero petrol will be powered by a 3.8L V6 engine equipped with Mitsubishi version of variable valve timing pushing out 250bhp. Active Stability and Traction Control(ASTC),ABS and EBD will be offered in this SUV. The new Mitsubishi Montero will also get some revamp in exteriors and interiors. Montero is expected to be priced at Rs35 lakh.
Source:autocar india
3 Raj May 3rd, 2007 at 11:33 am

Any news about Toyota Fortuner ?
4 karthi May 21st, 2007 at 10:14 pm

New Chevrolet Optra Diesel

General Motors India on 21th May said it will launch a diesel variant of its premium sedan Chevrolet Optra in the first week of next month.

“The common rail diesel variant(CRDi) would be powered by a 2.0 litre engine and would be competitively priced to take-on competition” GM India Vice President P Balendran told the agency. He, however, refused to comment on the pricing of the first diesel offering in the Optra range. The diesel variant would be in direct competition with Skoda Octavia, which is being sold in a range of Rs 11.35 lakh to Rs 14 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) and Hyundai’s Sonata Embera.

The petrol version of Chevrolet Optra is currently averaging 400 units per month and the GM is hoping to sell 800 to 1,000 units of Chevrolet optra diesel variant. Also, General Motors would open 125 service centres and 110 sales centres across the country by the year-end. Chevrolet diesel Optra would be rolled out of GM’s Halol facility in Gujarat.

source:economic times
5 karthi May 25th, 2007 at 8:16 am

Chevrolet diesel optra’s new front:

Apart from new 2.0L diesel engine the new chevrolet optra diesel will get a new appeal with refreshed interiors and new front design. New chevrolet optra diesel gets the SRV front end – a large front grille and wraparound headlamps also the huge bumpers incorporates the airdam and fog lamps. Other changes in the new optra diesel includes new doors and mirror mounted indicators. With this new front chevrolet optra diesel gets the contemporary sporty profile. Inside the new optra diesel, the dashboard resembles SRV – the new three-tone dashboard looks far more upmarket with light colours and faux wood.

source:overdrive,autocar
6 Pacifica Simon May 29th, 2007 at 4:53 pm

Guess this SUV would be the car that contemprory India would appreciate as we know that chevy products are a good value for money… Also this SUV encompasses the best characterestics of the mercedes M class vehicles and the Chevy brand makes it affordable and adorable…

My choice is go for the game and njoi ur moments with it
7 Shantanu Dasgupta Jun 5th, 2007 at 6:40 pm

I need the details of Chevrolet Optra and Aveo.

Could you please send me the details at the below address.

Shantanu Dasgupta
house no 174, 10th main, 10th cross,
behind cauveri school,
indiranagar stage II,
bangalore – 38

Also send me the current bangalore onroad price details for both the cars!
8 karthi Jun 10th, 2007 at 9:11 am

* Chevrolet Optra Diesel would have a 2.0 litre turbo charged rail direct injection engine, would deliver a peak power of 120.5PS and peak torque of 314Nm. The new Chevrolet optra diesel will competing against Skoda Octavia (Rs 11.34 lakh).

* General Motors(GM) had sold 38,800 units last year and was looking to sell about 66,000 units this year, which would translate into a 70 per cent jump in sales. General Motors, which launched Spark in April this year, has sold 3,200 units so far and is targeting to sell 18,000 units in the current year. The company has sold 1,400 units of Aveo U-Va model that was launched in the last week of December 2006 and 800 units of Aveo every month ever since it entered the market in March last year.

* Chevrolet will launch a CNG variant for Aveo and it hopes to sell 50-60 units on a monthly basis
9 karthi Jun 14th, 2007 at 8:47 am

General Motors another small car:

General Motors plans to launch another small car in India soon. GM which is eyeing 10% market share by 2009 has already slot in the India’s top 5 car sellers with mass segments cars like aveo-UVA and Chevrolet spark. GM aims to become a top 3 player in India. General Motors 2nd small car will be produced in its India’s second plant at Talegaon which will be commissioned by the middle of 2008. Chevrolet 2nd small car is expected by the end of 2008. Chevrolet will also launch petrol versions of the Magnum with 1.6 and 1.8 litre power trains would follow next year, while the much expected captiva SUV would be launched by the end of the 2007
10 RAHUL Jun 17th, 2007 at 11:47 am

please send all the details abt new optra magnum and indigo xl regarding the following:
cost
fuel efficiency
model
type of fuel
extra features; at rowzrfzrsra@gmail.com
11 Manu Jun 21st, 2007 at 4:53 pm

hi
do we have any other option except the turbo indica v2 in the diesel mid size car segment to go for in the pricing budget of 4-5 lacs.plz advise
manu
12 edmund demelo Jun 22nd, 2007 at 8:30 pm

Ola….
hey i luv SUV n specialy the new chevy captiva…
plz send me the details of it,the fuelefficiency and the price.i suppose its gonna be these year.
13 rohit dubey Jul 8th, 2007 at 11:48 pm

hey i luv SUV n specialy the new chevy captiva…
plz send me the details of it,the fuelefficiency and the price.i suppose its gonna be this year.
14 Ganesh Jori Jul 23rd, 2007 at 2:27 pm

Dear Sir
Please send the E-mail id ( G.M MOTORS)

Regards

Ganesh jori
9822220433
15 Vikas Kochhar Oct 7th, 2007 at 10:27 am

The new Safari 2.2 lt (140 BHP, VVT turbo engine) with the top-end variant priced at just 11 lakh offers an unmatched value-for-money proposition as it comes loaded with an amazing array of safety, convenience and entertainment features (dual air bags, ABS EBD, in-built camera/diaplay for rear view/parking and entertainment package loaded with DVD player and two screen in-seat LCD display for rear row…see the Safari website for complete info !!!)…..I guess GM needs to seriously look at competitive pricing in this fast-growing segment if it intends ‘Captiva’ to ‘capture’ a fair share of the market….Suzuki Vitara is not moving quick enough and the company is believed to be working on upgrading the model in 2008….even Tata’s have announced that 2008 will see a newer Safari and the Range Rover/Jaguar acqusition, if it comes through, will only make the competition more intense in India…..good luck GM, waiting for the launch !!!
16 shakeel ansari Mar 29th, 2008 at 10:34 pm

hi,
I Love this SUV,Please send me the details of chevrolet captiva and the fuel efficiency and the price in thane city.

THANK YOU.
17 Tom Kwakovski Jul 28th, 2008 at 3:38 pm

Did you ever notice that the opel antara is almost the twin of the chevrolet captiva, really amazing, check this video http://www.carchannel.be/nl/artikel/chevrolet/opel-antara-versus-chevrolet-captiva .
18 punit k vyas Sep 14th, 2008 at 9:40 pm

i am working in maruti suzuki show room i have know the all detail about grand vitara but in look wise the Chevrolet’s New SUV is far more good in look wise. when u see you can feel the power of that car
19 mortage insurance calculator Dec 13th, 2008 at 11:33 pm

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20 peter May 19th, 2009 at 1:22 pm

this is a nice car
21 fourby4 Aug 27th, 2009 at 1:35 pm

nice..this is cool…