GM India has launched the Chevrolet Captiva, its first SUV in the Indian market at the Delhi Auto Expo 2008. GM’s rather large and innovatively designed pavilion at the Expo saw Mr. Karl Slym, President and Managing Director of General Motors India launch the Chevrolet Captiva in front of a large press audience. IndiBlog had reported in an earlier post (Chevrolet To Captivate in 2008) reported that the Captiva would be launched in the first quarter of 2008 and once again we were bang on target. The first look at the Captiva from head on makes you realise that its a pretty neat looking SUV. Not as radically designed as the Honda CRV but appealing and modestly butch. The bonnet has a V shape and sweeps down nicely to the large front grille with the bow tie chevy logo in the center. Clear lens projection headlamps and fog lamps inset into the bumper add bling to the Captiva. From the side too the Captiva looks like a proper SUV and not a typical soft roader. The slit in the front fender meets with the crease which runs across the side doors and looks good. The alloys though are quite normal and Chevrolet could have done a better job here. The rear looks quite a mess with softish styling, oddly shaped tail lamps, a large chrome tail gate garnish, three tone bumper and twin exhaust pipes. The Captiva looks the worst from its bum.
Technically speaking the Captiva looks promising with a 2 litre, 16-valve diesel engine. Using a variable geometry turbo (VGT) system this mill produces 150 PS @ 4,000 rpm and 320 Nm of torque at 2,000 rpm. The VGT also allows the Captiva to have quite a flat torque curve, great for power across the powerband unline the typical turbo lag and sudden surge. This power is put down to the road via a five-speed manual gearbox. The Captiva accommodates seven adults. Convenience features on the Captiva include the remote-operated tailgate glass for quick access, power adjust seats, automatic climate control, and many thoughtful storage solutions, including a large wet/dry area beneath the load compartment floor, a glove box cooler amongst others. The Captiva’s all leather beige interior look luxurious in line with the Optra LT which has won many customers due to its lavish interiors. Safety equipment includes dual airbags, front seatbelt pre tensioners and load limiters and ABS.
A unique feature of the Captiva is a level ride suspension system, which automatically maintains nominal ride height under differing load conditions maintaining a minimum ground clearance. The pricing hasnt been finalised yet but expect the Captiva to range between Rs. 15-17 lakh (ex-showroom).
PICTURES OF THE CHEVROLET CAPTIVA FROM THE DELHI AUTO EXPO 2008
I`m waiting this car here in Brazil.
Ths is a real suv for our Country.
Neither Honda, Hyundai, Kia or Toyota.
GM have got the captiva right it is a great car to drive and both looks bold and strong just what you would expect from a suv , there are a few changes i would have liked to see first is the back side window i think it should have been more square in shape as the way it looks gives the back of the car an optical elusion of sloping a great deal and it is,nt second the tail lights if they had been clear like the front lights it would have given a better appearance at the back lastly i think the skid pans on all the various models should have been kept the same satin finish , other than those little items it is a great car in all respect.
yes the captiva is going to be a very hard car for the opposition to compare with , of cource there are a few small things that need to be sorted out but basically a great vehicle with the looks that we only get from road cars but this vehicle has the best of all worlds with the 7 seat version a mpv, a suv 4×4, a road car , family runaround with high up visability now what more can we ask for , i just hope GM push this vehicle to it,s heights that i know it can go , so you other guys out there look out you have a lot of catching up to do if you can and i dont think you can so GM good luck and congratulations ron.
there you are GM Brazil is waiting for you aswell we in britan waited a long time for you but now we have got the captiva and it is a total eye catcher and head turner in evry way, and what a vehicle to drive just simply great i look forward to get the chance to get in the car just to enjoy it and im 50 years driving so i have many cars under my belt but none like the captiva so keep up the good work GM . ron.
Chevrolet Captiva is the best GM can produce , the version with 7 seats is smart and cool
Chevrolet cavtiva is really cool.