Sunday, January 13, 2008

CHEVY CAPTIVA




Chevrolet Captiva is launched. The SUV has a 1991cc, 4-cylinder, 16 valve, VCDi diesel engine which outputs maximum power of 150ps@4000 rpm and torque of 320Nm@2000 rpm. The Rs.17.73 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) Captiva is available in five colors.


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.



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.




Dimensions & Weights
Overall Length 4660 mm
Overall Width 1870 mm
Overall Height 1755 mm
Wheel Base 2705 mm
Ground Clearance 197 mm
Kerb Weight 1820 kg
No of Doors 5 door

Capacity
Seating Capacity 7 person


Engine
Engine Type/Model VCDi Diesel
Displacement 1991 cc
Power 150 PS @ 4000 rpm
Torque 320 Nm @ 2000 rpm
Valve Mechanism SOHC
Compression Ratio 17.5:1
No of Cylinders 4 cylinder
Cylinder Configuration Inline
Valves per Cylender 4 valve
Fuel Type Diesel
Fuel System CRDI


Transmission
Transmission Type Manual
Gears/Speeds 5 Gears
Clutch Type




Final Reduction Gear Ratio


Suspensions
Front Suspension
McPherson strut with Twin tube gas pressure strut
Rear Suspension
Multi link ,level ride with Twin tube gas pressure strut


Steering
Steering Type Rack & Pinion, Power-assisted
Power Assisted
Standard
Minimum Turning Radius 5.8 meter


Brakes
Brake Type
Front Brakes Ventilated disc
Rear Brakes Ventilated disc


Wheels & Tyres
Wheel Type Alloy
Wheel Size 7J X 17"
Tyres 235/60 R17 (tubeless)




Colors
-Arctic White
-Dark Denim Gray metallic
-Mercury Silver metallic
-Zest Metallic
-Chino metallic
-Silverstone Grey metallic
-Granada Black metallic
-Merlot metallic
-Midnight Blue metallic

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