Usable Traction, People-Carrying Versatility and Great Lifestyle Looks. Chevrolets New Captiva Looks An Appealing Prospect. Andy Enright Looks Ahead To The Brands Most Important UK Launch Yet
Just what the world needs, another Compact 4x4 except that Chevrolets new Captiva is something more. A car thats as practical for an extended family as it is for an extended landholding.
Whats more, the looks are sharp, virtually unaltered from those of the handsome S3X prototype that received such a warm reception on its first showing at the 2004 Paris Motor Show. Though it looks at first glance like a natural Land Rover Freelander/Toyota RAV4/Nissan X-Trail competitor, Chevrolet are keen to stress that this vehicle shouldnt be thought of as a 4x4 or an off-roader. Instead, theyre positioning the Captiva as a compact SUV (sports utility vehicle) aimed at capturing sales from MPV-style people carriers. Instead of opting for a seven-seat MPV, they say, why not go for something a little more stylish? Thats the reasoning at least.
Pragmatists will know that there are already several rivals on the market that quietly target these same buyers, although no manufacturer has yet been quite so upfront in their intentions. No competitors product however, looks quite as good as the Captiva and while it may have taken the public a while to get used to a Chevrolet badge on the bonnet of a Matiz, that chunky cross on the grille of an SUV looks a whole lot more natural. Chevrolet will officially launch the Captiva at the Geneva Motor Show in March, after which it will slot into the companys line-up as one of the most deftly proportioned cars in its class. The design is clever in reducing the perceived bulk of what is a surprisingly spacious vehicle.
Viewed in isolation, the Captiva looks to be about the size of a Toyota RAV4 or a Suzuki Grand Vitara but the tale of the tape shows that its a much heftier piece of metalwork. For a start, the S3X show car is fully 4,639mm long, compared with the 4,415 of the Toyota and the 4,470mm of the Suzuki. Even if we play Chevrolets game and compare it to the leading seven-seat mini-MPV, the Vauxhall Zafira, we find Lutons finest breaking the tape at just 4,467mm. Thats why the Chevy has room for three rows of seats - and thus, seven passengers - thanks to its long wheelbase of around 2.
70 metres. A five seat version will also be offered for those who prioritise luggage over the extended family.
"Instead of opting for a seven-seat MPV, Chevrolet say, why not go for something a little more stylish?"
Given the media spin, you could quite reasonably expect the Captiva to ride on a front-wheel drive chassis, and youd be half right. Front wheel drive versions of compact 4x4s have proven to be a big money spinner for companies such as Honda, who quickly realised that many customers were buying cars like the HR-V not for their perceived go-anywhere characteristics but merely for their styling and raised ride height. This isnt a novel realisation, as Matra Simca twigged in the early Eighties with their Rancho faux by four, styling and attitude are often more appealing than pure off-road capability. The Captiva is offered in a front-wheel drive entry-level variant and its bound to prove very popular.
In fact, if, as Chevrolet claim, they are positioning the Captiva as a tarmac-biased MPV rival, its perhaps surprising that there is an all-wheel drive variant at all. Yet there is. Chevrolet claim the all-wheel drive model offers a safer and more secure drive in poor road conditions and its hard to argue with that contention, especially on our wet roads. The ability to squirt swiftly and safely out of a T-junction in the rain or onto a roundabout is often denied drivers of front wheel drive models.
Itll also help when negotiating muddy tracks but the company is keen to stress that its not tilting at Jeep or Land Rover with this one. The Captivas 4x4 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).
Theres little doubt that the Captiva will be instrumental in determining the future way Chevrolet vehicles are perceived in this country. The Daewoo brand was gaining respect just as it imploded and this model is the first to be designed and built by the rejuvenated company. So lets get down to details. Two transversely mounted engines will be available in the Captiva.
They include the brand new, state-of-the-art common rail diesel engine jointly developed by GM Powertrain and VM Motori. As a result, we have Chevrolets first ever compact SUV with a diesel engine. This 16-valve unit offers 150bhp at 4,000 rpm and maximum torque of 310Nm at 2000rpm. In the EC combined cycle, fuel consumption is 37.
2mpg. Automatic transmission will be available with the diesel engine, delivering 32.8mpg on the combined cycle. This is the first application of a family of diesel powertrains that will become available in other Chevrolet products this year.
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. The Captiva 2.4 combined fuel consumption is 28.
5mpg. The suspension layout consists of a MacPherson strut configuration in front and an independent four-link design in the rear. Ventilated disc brakes are standard on all four wheels. The standard wheel/tyre combination is 215/70 R 16 tyres on 6.
5J x 16 inch wheels but larger variants will be available. Although Chevrolet have gambled with the positioning of the Captiva, the product itself looks a very strong proposition. Much will depend on pricing, but the initial portents look worrying for Chevrolets rivals. The proof of the pudding will be in the driving, but until then we remain quietly captivated.
Facts At A Glance
CAR: Chevrolet Captiva range
PRICES: £16,000-£20,000 [est] - on the road
INSURANCE GROUP: 11 [est]
CO2 EMISSIONS: 190g/km [est]
PERFORMANCE: Max Speed 110mph / 0-60mph 12s [est]
FUEL CONSUMPTION: [2.0 diesel] (combined) 32.8mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front and side airbags, ABS
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height mm 4639/1848/1722mm
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