Chevrolet Epica

The Chevrolet Epica is a four-door sedan that takes the place left by Evanda the end of 2005. The Epica is available-only gasoline engines, since May 2006. Now you can buy with a 150 hp diesel engine, from € 21,500. The versions with the new engine is more pleasant to drive.

Diesel cheaper version (21,500 €) has a low purchase price and a good relationship between price and equipment. There are some models that are cheaper such as a Hyundai Sonata, and a KIA Magentis Citroën C5 (comparative). The Sonata is the cheapest and the least equipped. The Magentis, the C5 and Epica have a similar, although the Epica has a major drawback: still can not bring stability control.

The Epica measured 4.80 m long, 1.81 m wide and 1.45 m in height. The wheelbase is 2.7 m. Has a length similar to a Skoda Superb or a Hyundai Sonata. The trunk has a capacity of 480 liters (according to VDA standard).

Out as being very spacious, especially for subsequent passengers. As can be seen in our measurements of space, the width available for driver and co-driver is also good.

In the three rear seat passengers can travel, provided they are neither very high nor very bodied. Along with the Citroën C5, the Volvo S60 and the KIA Magentis, is one of the models with more rear width (141 cm). The space for the legs (74 cm) is also very good, one of the best in the segment. Rear height (89 cm) tall passenger is low: the occupants to measure more than 1.75 m tall rozarán your head with the final part of the roof (if you feel well).

The internal adjustment has improved from the first units of the Epica, but there are some materials such as plastics used in the bottom of the dashboard and doors, moldings or decorative aluminum-looking that are not print quality. The plastic on the top of the dashboard and doors is an average quality and a nice soft touch.

It has many compartments slides: a glove box (very small) pockets in the doors, bags in the front seat backs, a portabolsas hook on the right side of the console compartment with lid on top of the center console, cupholders next to the handbrake, front center armrest compartment, rear central armrest with compartment and two cupholders and a portagafas.

The Epica is a car with plenty of equipment, but lacks some important elements. There are two levels of equipment: "LT" (only in combination with the diesel engine and manual transmission) and LTX.

The version "LT" series brings, among other things, six airbags, traction control, air conditioning, alarm, trip computer, electric windows front and rear, cruise control, auto dimming interior mirror, leather steering wheel with vertical adjustment and longitudinal, electrically folding mirrors, automatic wipers, radio with CD player (compatible with MP3 discs), AUX connection for external audio sources and alloy wheels of 16 inches.

Versions "LTX" also have leather upholstery, heated front seats, driver's seat with electric adjustment, helps to park at the rear loader CD and alloy wheels of 17 inches.

The only option is metallic paint. After the summer of 2007, the stability control will be a series of equipment in all versions.

Epica All have three-year warranty and roadside assistance. Furthermore, the versions "LTX" have three years of free maintenance.

So far, only available with two petrol engines of six cylinders in line, placed cross with a 2.0 liter displacement and 143 hp, 2.5 liter and the other with 155 hp. According to Chevrolet, are two of the six-cylinder engines in the shortest line market, not many placed transversely (in the Volvo S80 and the XC90). More information on the engines.

Chevrolet Epica offers on a new 2.0 liter diesel engine 150 hp, which bears the Captiva. This engine, called 'VCDi - not that of the Fiat group (as in other GM brands), but the Italian maker VM Motori. It has four cylinders, 2.0 liters of displacement, four valves per cylinder with a camshaft and feeding common conduit.

There are two variants of this engine: a turbo that provides 120 hp fixed (which bear the Lacetti and the Nubira in April 2007) and the other with variable turbocharger reaches 150 hp (which carry the Epica and the Captiva SUV).

2.0 liter engine coupled with a five-speed manual transmission. The 155-hp version has a five-speed automatic transmission that also can have the Epica Diesel.

The Epica 2.0 VCDi has a top speed of 200 km / h, accelerates from 0 to 100 km / h in 9.7 s and has an average consumption of 6.1 l per 100 km. Benefits are commensurate with the power, although the maximum speed and consumption are slightly worse than other similar models (comparison table).

We could make a small test with three versions of Epica. All wore Goodyear Eagle NCT 5 tires in a 215/45 R17.

The Epica Diesel is more comfortable and more enjoyable to drive than the versions of gasoline. The diesel engine of 150 hp to move with great agility Epica, while retaining the speed of the engine above 2000 rpm. Below this scheme is not just strength. Although the developments of change are short (the maximum speed reaches above the maximum power regime), not feeling a great capacity for recovery gear.

This engine is not too noisy, but you hear very clearly on the inside when operating at a speed high. The aerodynamic noise is high and can become annoying on long journeys.

Version 2.0 l petrol engine has a very soft and little capacity for recovery, partly because of long transmission developments; costs climb around in gear until it reaches about 3,500 rpm. Above this regime, the response is good. It is a quiet engine, as is the 2.5 l just heard clearly on acceleration and when driving at a high speed.

The Epica 2.5 with automatic engine also has a mild, but more strongly in the medium regime. The automatic switch has two modes: fully automatic or sequential operation.

In automatic mode, the change tends to keep the engine at a very low, which means frequent gear changes which is very gentle with the throttle. In sequential mode is more pleasant to use, and to change quickly enough and without much rough, but accelerated in depth.

The steering is too variable hardness soft and sensitive when driving at high speed. In addition, little information is transmitted to the driver steps on how the car.

The suspension is independent in both axes. The adjustment of the springs and shock absorbers is different versions of gasoline and diesel, there is no change in the diameter of the stabilizer bars.

In gasoline, the filters suspesión little small irregularities of the soil and can be somewhat dry, and it does not prevent some big movements of the body. The new diesel versions have a more comfortable suspension, which filters over the irregularities of the road and contains better big movements of the body.

Chevrolet sold 618 units in Spain in the months Epica was on sale in 2006. Projections for 2007 are 2500 units registered.