Chevrolet Matiz 0.8 SE automatic

For the first time, the Chevrolet Matiz is available with automatic transmission. The new Matiz, which was launched in June 2005, is already one of the most manoeuvrable cars on the road today and the automatic transmission adds a further dimension to the car’s ease of use.

Matiz is perfectly suited to an urban environment with its compact dimensions (length x width x height: 3,495 x 1,500 x 1,495 mm) and with its small turning circle of 9.20 m, the five-door Chevrolet Matiz fits into any parking space. The Matiz 0.8SE comes as a single derivative with automatic transmission and is available at Chevrolet showrooms from the end of November 2005 priced at £6,995.

The Matiz 0.8SE automatic has a four-speed auto transmission and is only available with the thoroughly updated 796 cc three-cylinder engine with 51.5 PS/50 BHP and a maximum torque of 71.5 Nm at 4,400 rpm. This combination gives the 0.8SE Matiz excellent performance in town and great agility in the stop/start conditions of a busy urban environment. It takes the five-door Matiz from 0 to 60 mph in 21.9 sec and gives it a top speed of 84 mph.

The new automatic transmission offers the full flexibility of a conventional four speed automatic but adds the sophistication of electronic control. This results in an engine that is perfectly matched to the transmission and ensures that both are working for maximum efficiency and therefore optimum fuel economy. Performance around town is extremely lively and both step-off and kick-down are very smooth. The 0.8 litre, three-cylinder engine has already seen a 17% improvement in mpg over the previous model and the new Matiz 0.8SE automatic returns economy figures that are little different to the four-speed manual version – on the urban cycle the car returns

37.2 mpg and extra-urban, 61.4 mpg.

A number of fundamental improvements were made to the three-cylinder engine in this new Matiz. They include, above all, the valve control being equipped with roller cam followers made of aluminium instead of conventional rocker arms of steel. This cuts friction losses in the valve gear by 15 percent. The positive effect of this improvement is evident in the fuel consumption.

Thanks to the intelligent packaging and wheelbase of 2345 mm, the five-seater offers a comparatively large amount of space and a feeling of roominess. The boot volume is 170 litres to the VDA standard. With its modern, fresh design, clever utilisation of space, favourable price and optimised engineering, the Matiz certainly has what it takes to claim a significant slice of the growing segment it competes in.

The new Matiz 0.8SE automatic carries the comprehensive specification of its manual 1.0SE sister. Convenience features abound as befits a car that will be owned 75% by women with many likely to be carrying children.