The new Chevrolet Epica: family car value with executive style

The new Chevrolet Epica is the company’s first mid-size model to be launched in Europe and will come with a choice of two transversely mounted engines – one a refined 2.0 litre straight six, the other a new 2.0 litre four-cylinder common rail direct injection diesel.

Epica will world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show (2-12 March, 2006) and will be on sale in the UK later in 2006. It will offer a comprehensive range of comfort and safety equipment as standard and will be exceptional value for money. The interior sets new standards for Chevrolet passenger cars in Europe with the use of high quality soft feel mouldings with chrome highlights, luxurious leather seat facings, climate control air conditioning and a high power FM tuner/CD system all giving the car a sense of executive luxury but at a bargain price. Its enormous boot will swallow up plenty of holiday luggage or the weekend shop with space to spare.

Epica presents the occupants with plenty of room to journey in comfort (length/width/height: 4,805/1,810/1,450 mm) with front-wheel drive ensuring a great package within a wheelbase of 2,700 mm. The most striking design features of the four-door Epica are its rising, wedge-shaped side contours, the pull-type door handles, the chrome grille with a cross bar carrying the bold Chevrolet bow-tie emblem, large headlamps that sweep into the front wings and equally striking rear lamps. Standard safety features of the new Epica include ABS, driver and passenger airbags and side and head airbags.

Buyers will initially have a choice of two engine types: an extremely smooth straight-six petrol engine with a capacity of 2.0 litres (142PS) or a version of Chevrolet’s all-new family of common rail 2.0 litre turbo diesel engines (150PS) which comes later. Chevrolet believes the six cylinder petrol engine to be the shortest six cylinder available in the world, enabling the whole power unit to be neatly packaged in a lightweight transverse configuration. Both engine types are available with a five-speed manual or a sophisticated new five-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission.

Price range and specification will be announced at the Geneva Motor Show.