2012 CHEVROLET ORLANDO

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2012 CHEVROLET ORLANDO

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By Andrew Ganz

Chevrolet's upcoming Orlando - its first-ever European-style MPV - finally made its production debut this week at the Paris Motor Show. Not bound for the United States, but headed to Europe, Asia and even Canada, the Orlando is a three-row MPV that had initially been slated to replace the automaker's aging HHR.

Instead, Chevrolet will rely on the popular Equinox for its domestic consumers.

Although the concept car's blue lighting is gone, the overall shape of the vehicle remains very much intact. Although the Orlando will be Chevy's first-ever vehicle in the European MPV segment, the automaker is confident it will be a hit when it is fully revealed at the Paris Motor Show in late September.

The Orlando is based on Chevrolet's global Chevrolet Cruze sedan that is soon destined for U.S. consumption, although the Orlando will not be joining the Cruze state-side. Under the hood there will be a choice of three of Chevrolet's latest fuel efficient engines: one gasoline engine will be available, a 1.8-liter with power output of 141 horsepower, as well as two diesel units. The diesel engine can be had in two power outputs, 131 horsepower, or 163 horsepower, but both will be just 2.0-liters in displacement.

Original reports suggested that the production Orlando would employ five-speed transmissions, but we fully expect to see six-speed units in manual and automatic configurations based on recent tips. The Orlando's low swept roof line is complemented by wheel-arches that house wheels ranging from 16 all the way to 18-inches.

With a 2,760 mm wheelbase (108.7 inches), the Orlando can accommodate up to three rows of seats. The interior appears to be quite similar to the Chevy Cruze's interior, with a waterfall center stack and switchgear out of GM's current models.

Although the Orlando will initially be offered exclusively with front-wheel drive, and all-wheel drive model will join the lineup later on.

Customers will also be able to choose from three trim levels with standard equipment on all cars including electronic stability control, six air-bags, air conditioning and power mirrors.

link:

http://www.leftlanenews.com/chevrolet-orlando.html