Chevrolet New Captiva
Launched in the Indian market in Jan 2008, the Captiva hasn’t really been doing great numbers in the premium SUV segment due to the stiff competition that it has from SUVs like the Fortuner and the Endeavour. Infact, in June, July and August 2011, Chevrolet sold 161, 113 and 113 units respectively. However, the Captiva’s fate is all about to change with the launch of the upgraded version that has been on sale worldwide for a while now. According to Autocarindia, the facelift Captiva has been spotted under real world test in the hill station of Manali in Himachal Pradesh. The Auto Expo is due in Jan 2012 and hence it is a good platform to launch this new version commercially in the Indian market.
Design wise, there are quite a few changes on the outside which are quite easily visible to the naked eye. The new Captiva is a perfect example of an already strong design being honed in all the right areas to ensure it has a more dynamic presence, but without losing any of the original Captiva design essence. We also feel that the front end does look similar to the Mitsubishi Outlander! That said, the dual opening grille design is now a familiar sight on other Chevy products like the Beat and Cruze. Just above the grille, Captiva's aluminum hood is all new, its concave and sculptured lines also designed to make the front profile more aggressive and powerful. The headlamps take on a more purposeful shape while the cylindrical, prism-type lamps, housed inside the casings, look high-end and modern.
The rear of the new Chevrolet Captiva almost unchanged and is defined by a large rear tailgate with its split tailgate glass that opens independently. The large vertically shaped tail lamps with their internal circular shaped indicators and reversing light, the exterior SUV-style tailgate hinges, the twin left and right hand exhausts and a prominent silver skid plate – all go a long way in making the Captiva look like a proper SUV!
.jpg)
The interiors of the Captiva have always been good – it is a spacious SUV with high quality bits and good ergonomics. The upgraded Captiva's new upgraded interior now features an array of new finishes and textures, taking the new model up-market in feel and look. Changes are less as compared to the changes on the outside but one of the key signatures is the dual-cockpit design and wrap-around front fascia. The Corvette-inspired dual cockpit lends the cabin a natural symmetry, while the wrap around fascia, which flows from the dash into the top sections of the driver's and front passenger doors, gives the front of the cabin a seamless, unified look.
.jpg)
The Captiva will continue to be powered by a diesel engine though it is a completely new unit. The Captiva will now get a 2.2-litre diesel engine which is the latest generation engine and is an advanced, four cylinder double overhead cam turbocharged unit, featuring a high pressure common rail fuel injection system and variable geometry turbo charger (VGT) with intercooler. It produces a maximum power of 184Bhp and will be mated to 6-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic transmission.
While the current Captiva starts at Rs 17.97 lakh, the new one with improved design, cabin and a bigger engine is expected to carry a slightly higher starting price range of around Rs 18.5 lakh, going all the way to around Rs 20 lakh for the top end automatic transmission. Even with a higher sticker price, the new Captiva should easily find more buyers as the number of changes easily out-weigh the probably increase in price.
Design wise, there are quite a few changes on the outside which are quite easily visible to the naked eye. The new Captiva is a perfect example of an already strong design being honed in all the right areas to ensure it has a more dynamic presence, but without losing any of the original Captiva design essence. We also feel that the front end does look similar to the Mitsubishi Outlander! That said, the dual opening grille design is now a familiar sight on other Chevy products like the Beat and Cruze. Just above the grille, Captiva's aluminum hood is all new, its concave and sculptured lines also designed to make the front profile more aggressive and powerful. The headlamps take on a more purposeful shape while the cylindrical, prism-type lamps, housed inside the casings, look high-end and modern.
The rear of the new Chevrolet Captiva almost unchanged and is defined by a large rear tailgate with its split tailgate glass that opens independently. The large vertically shaped tail lamps with their internal circular shaped indicators and reversing light, the exterior SUV-style tailgate hinges, the twin left and right hand exhausts and a prominent silver skid plate – all go a long way in making the Captiva look like a proper SUV!
The interiors of the Captiva have always been good – it is a spacious SUV with high quality bits and good ergonomics. The upgraded Captiva's new upgraded interior now features an array of new finishes and textures, taking the new model up-market in feel and look. Changes are less as compared to the changes on the outside but one of the key signatures is the dual-cockpit design and wrap-around front fascia. The Corvette-inspired dual cockpit lends the cabin a natural symmetry, while the wrap around fascia, which flows from the dash into the top sections of the driver's and front passenger doors, gives the front of the cabin a seamless, unified look.
The Captiva will continue to be powered by a diesel engine though it is a completely new unit. The Captiva will now get a 2.2-litre diesel engine which is the latest generation engine and is an advanced, four cylinder double overhead cam turbocharged unit, featuring a high pressure common rail fuel injection system and variable geometry turbo charger (VGT) with intercooler. It produces a maximum power of 184Bhp and will be mated to 6-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic transmission.
While the current Captiva starts at Rs 17.97 lakh, the new one with improved design, cabin and a bigger engine is expected to carry a slightly higher starting price range of around Rs 18.5 lakh, going all the way to around Rs 20 lakh for the top end automatic transmission. Even with a higher sticker price, the new Captiva should easily find more buyers as the number of changes easily out-weigh the probably increase in price.
No comments:
Post a Comment