Geneva: Chevrolet Epica

[Variance]

New Chevrolet Epica World Debut

Text & Photos courtesy General Motors

03-01-2006

New in the mid-size category

*Dynamically styled notchback sedan celebrates its world premiere in Geneva

*Generous amount of space for passengers and luggage

The world premiere of the Chevrolet Epica at the Geneva Motor Show (March 2 – 12, 2006) will be accompanied by three other important "firsts". To begin with, it is the first car that Chevrolet Europe will put on the market with a six-cylinder engine. Secondly, it will 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."

*provisional figures

Link: http://www.worldcarfans.com/news.cfm/count...ica-world-debut

Edited March 1, 2006 by Variance

[Mule Bakersdozen LS]

Still not sure what the point of this redesign was-I personally thought the Suzuki Verona (its American clone) was nice enough, except for the engine and small-spec trunk. Hopefully they'll ditch those dated, weak engines ASAP and switch to Epsilon II next time around.

[daves87rs]

Hmmm...

[ToniCipriani]

Now the more I look at it, the more it looks like an L-Series with N-Body Malibu face slapped on.

[PurdueGuy]

Now the more I look at it, the more it looks like an L-Series with N-Body Malibu face slapped on.

screamed L-Series to me, too.

[Bimmer325]

Something about it says "appliance" to me.

[pow]

None of the powertrain choices seem very appealing, except for maybe the diesel. Plus, it doesn't even offer ESP.

[I hope GMRULES again]

"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"*.

0 to 60 in 10 seconds is nothing to be proud of. That's the same engine the Epica currently has now in Canada. All the reviews I've read about it is that it is an extremely smooth engine (its made by Porsche I believe) but it's way underpowered and gas mileage isn't that great.

[Bimmer325]

10 seconds?

[Guest YellowJacket894]

I don't get how this looks like the N-Body Malibu or a L-Series...this really seems to scream 5-Series.

[Imaj]

Holden makes great V6s they should go into those Daewoos!

[ToniCipriani]

I don't get how this looks like the N-Body Malibu or a L-Series...this really seems to scream 5-Series.

5-Series? The headlights, but that's about it.

Grille, overall shape - Malibu, after 2000 Refresh

Side body, rearend - L-Series.

Edited March 3, 2006 by ToniCipriani

[ToniCipriani]

Holden makes great V6s they should go into those Daewoos!

The Alloytec V6 are essentially the HF V6s.

[Mule Bakersdozen LS]

They're not just essentially the HF's, they're one and the same!

[Ravenfreak13]

*coughlseriescough*

[SoCalCTS]

At first, I liked the overall looks but then I thought it looked like the Chevrolet Classic. I wonder what the interior looks like.

Its not hot. I don't think the "dawg pound" is going to like it.

[thegriffon]

"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"*.

0 to 60 in 10 seconds is nothing to be proud of. That's the same engine the Epica currently has now in Canada. All the reviews I've read about it is that it is an extremely smooth engine (its made by Porsche I believe) but it's way underpowered and gas mileage isn't that great.

Not built by Porsche, but designed when the ex-Porsche guy (Butz?) now running Aston Martin was the chief engineer at Daewoo.

[corvettekidc6]

Just like the Captiva, I think it's a step back for GM North America. It does look like a Saturn L-Series, and like the old Malibu. GM said they were going to dig into their heritage and bring back some cars from the past, but I don;t think that they went back faqr enough. 6 years is not enough unless we multiply it a couple of times. It also looks like the old Malibu Classic from the late 90's. I've never seen those headlights anywhere in America before either, and is this thing going to make it to production, it is does what would it replace? Chevy seems to have a pretty firm line-up, I hope it's not the Malibu, I like it. If it does make it to production the nthey need to give it a MAJOR restyling and a more powerful engine because 0-60 in 10 seconds is not repsectable

[Croc]

Just like the Captiva, I think it's a step back for GM North America. It does look like a Saturn L-Series, and like the old Malibu. GM said they were going to dig into their heritage and bring back some cars from the past, but I don;t think that they went back faqr enough. 6 years is not enough unless we multiply it a couple of times. It also looks like the old Malibu Classic from the late 90's. I've never seen those headlights anywhere in America before either, and is this thing going to make it to production, it is does what would it replace? Chevy seems to have a pretty firm line-up, I hope it's not the Malibu, I like it. If it does make it to production the nthey need to give it a MAJOR restyling and a more powerful engine because 0-60 in 10 seconds is not repsectable

..................this isn't for America, though it's a better car than the current Malibu.

[The O.C.]

..................this isn't for America, though it's a better car than the current Malibu.

Man o man I wish we had this car as our Malibu.......except with the 2.4L EcoTec as the base engine and the 3.6L HF as the uplevel.

Although if given a choice to take either car AS IT IS.....(Malibu, 2.4L and 3.5L versus Epica with 2.5L inline-6) I'd take the Epica easily.....

[Croc]

The overhangs are still longish, but the car actually HAS style.

[I hope GMRULES again]

Not built by Porsche, but designed when the ex-Porsche guy (Butz?) now running Aston Martin was the chief engineer at Daewoo.

Thanks for the info. I did read something on this motor a few years back that said Porsche had a hand in it. See how bad journalism can spread like wildfire.

[Dsuupr]

To me it looks like any other Asian car. Blah.