New Chevrolet Captiva: compact SUV debuts at Geneva
Chevrolet Europe has issued the following press release:
With the all-new Captiva, its first diesel powered compact SUV, Chevrolet takes its European product offensive to a new level. Tailored to European roads and customer requirements, the vehicle will be available with a modern two-litre 150hp common-rail direct-injection diesel. Like the two available gasoline versions (2.4-liter four-cylinder and 3.2-liter 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). It debuts at the Geneva motor show (March 2 - 12, 2006) and will be available in showrooms across Europe starting in June.
“Chevrolet continues to grow at a remarkable pace in Europe”, said Wayne Brannon, new 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. With the Captiva giving us access to an additional and growing vehicle segment, 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.”
The Captiva offers expressive design and a spacious, convenient interior featuring high quality fabrics and materials. The new compact SUV measures 4,639/1,849/1,726 mm (length/width/height) and with a wheelbase of 2,707 mm. 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. 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 150 hp at 4,000 rpm and maximum torque of 310 Nm at 2000 rpm.. In the ECE mix, fuel consumption is 8.1 L per 100 km. 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 in-line DOHC four cylinder, delivering 142 hp at 5,200 rpm and a torque maximum of 220 Nm at 4,000 rpm. The Captiva 2.4 average fuel consumption is 10.8 L per 100 km. The top-of-the line 3.2 litre V6 engine produces 225 hp at 6,000 rpm, maximum torque is 302 Nm at 3500 rpm.
Suspension layout consists of a McPherson strut configuration in front and an independent 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.
Chevrolet is the leading global brand of General Motors with over 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.
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