Make-Over For Epica
CarPoint Editor
16 July 2008
www.carpoint.com.au
Holden has ditched the underpowered 2.0-litre six, but introduced diesel power and six-speed automatics to the upgraded Epica range.
One sure way to fire up sales in the current climate of high fuel prices is to offer buyers a lot of car for not much money -- and ensure it's powered by a diesel engine.
Holden has done exactly that, matching a diesel engine to a new, six-speed automatic transmission in both CDX and CDXi grades of the mid-size Epica. Not a particularly strong seller for Holden, the Epica now has the torque (320Nm) to overcome any objections that it's sluggish.
The 2.5-litre inline six remains on offer, but the 2.0-litre petrol engine, which was only available with a five-speed manual transmission, is no longer available.
Unlike the 2.5, the diesel is a four-cylinder developing 110kW of power and capable of achieving fuel consumption as low as 7.6L/100km in combined cycle testing.
Both engines are coupled to six-speed automatic transmissions. With the new transmission, the petrol engine returns a fuel consumption figure of 9.3L/100km, in accordance with ADR81/01.
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