Chevrolet Epica LT

[NINETY_EIGHT_REGENCY]

Chevrolet Epica LT
Rating: ** out of five stars

Epica's uninspired looks and underwhelming driving experience are far from epic
Text: Sam Hardy / Photos: Matt Howell

July 2007
Chevrolet Epica
Autoexpress.co.uk




Take one look at Chevrolet’s Epica and you would be forgiven for thinking you had stepped back in time.
With its new high-performance Még*ane diesel, Renault has mixed fun and eco-friendliness in one package. And although it’s far from perfect, it shows that the company has its finger on the pulse of modern motoring.

Take one look at Chevrolet’s Epica, though, and you would be forgiven for thinking you had stepped back in time. Revealed at last year’s Geneva Motor Show, the four-door has been available around the world for the last 18 months. But only now are bosses planning to bring it here.

The Mercedes E-Class-sized model has the kind of boxy saloon shape that went out of fashion in the Eighties. It has been designed to appeal to buyers who want a large car, but don’t want to pay much for it.

And with a £13,500 price tag for the flagship LT model driven here, they certainly won’t have to. In fact, the Epica undercuts the Hyundai Son*ata – its closest competitor in today’s market – by a significant £3,500.

But the Chevrolet is loaded with equipment. Our car came with electric heated leather seats, cruise and climate control, plus an MP3-compatible stereo and rear parking sensors. Inside, however, it’s not exactly cutting edge, with lots of grey plastic and low-rent leather upholstery. There’s plenty of space in the rear for adults, though, and the boot is a useful 435 litres.

On the road, the driving experience is underwhelming. The Epica rides well enough, but it rolls heavily through corners, has vague, slow steering and generally feels cumbersome.

The 142bhp 2.0-litre straight-six fails to shine, too. It’s neither refined nor responsive. A new six-speed auto, due next year, should help, although the unit’s sub-30mpg economy makes the 150bhp 2.0 diesel a better choice.

But really, it’s difficult to recommend any Epica model. With a radical new Lacetti out next year, plus a replacement for the Matiz, Chevy has some exciting cars up its sleeve. This isn’t one of them.







source:

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/carrevi...let_epica.html

[91fairladyZ]

Why does GM have to put out cars that don't handle well? Besides that, did GM really think this car is competitive? I know their is a significantly improved model coming, but this car is embarrassing.

[CobaltSScrazy]

whats comparable to that over here? a 07 malibu? i STILL don't understand why these cars are not global...yet. I know its coming but the wait to make it all global is just frustrating!

CobaltSScrazy

[Beau]

Oh wow, its using the Inline - 6 from the forenza. Which was discontinued.

I think its a great idea, I-6's are awesome, but... Not when you sacrifice the block strength to stuff it in sideways. The forenza had problems with its block. It might be repairable if it were just sleeved since its an aluminum block, but its quite obvious that the head flows like garbage, based on a 2.0 I-6 making less power than a 2.0 I-4...

[tomprice]

Hmm I have actually come round to the idea of the Epica.

I think it's a brilliant design that also looks brilliantly stylish (though not completely modern, bit too saloon-like for that) and extremely cheap, maybe even good value.

But £13,500 for the top-of-the-range model? That's crazy! Grande Puntos and Minis sell for that!! And a Corsa VXR is £3,500 more!!!

I do like it though - it may be a replacement consideration for our A3 2.0TDi, which is reaching the end of warranty and is gaining a little bit of a negative image. The Chevrolet still has a disgusting image (think Daewoo, cheapo people) but I reckon it'd look ace in black and still look professional enough for someone who is a Magistrate..(yep, my wife's one!!)

I'd get her to test drive one and then I'd see if we could knock at least another £500 off that, with free options. It could well be gracing our driveway in 18months time this...

[Toto]

I am with tomprice. The Epica is not the best looking sedan but it is okay for me. The price is hot. I prefer the diesel over the I-6.

[Bravada]

The Mercedes E-Class-sized model

This alone is enough to make sure the author has no idea about cars or whatever he's writing about. But then, it's AutoExpress, the automobile world equivalent to $0.50 TV guides.

a radical new Lacetti out next year, plus a replacement for the Matiz

Pardon?



AAAAAAAAAnyway, apart from this one, the Epica gets generally good reviews accross the world, and the shape both garners praise and IS actually appealing (not only is it nice in photos, in RL it is much nicer than you'd think it could be). The UK price seems really attractive.

Oh, and it's the first time I hear the I6 is not refined. Everybody else is of a totally opposite opinion. For sure, it is not a 3.0 V6, but the performance is generally rated as appropriate for a modern mid-size 2.0, while the Epica gets brownie points for extra smoothness and good torque delivery...

[Ming]

I've found the appeal of the Daewoo-sourced cars to be price/value, conservative but pleasing styling and surprisingly interior space for that price, not performance. Car reviews don't always take that into consideration when the reveiwer just got out of a sporty car.

[mbukukanyau]

Originally Posted by 91fairladyZ

Why does GM have to put out cars that don't handle well? Besides that, did GM really think this car is competitive? I know their is a significantly improved model coming, but this car is embarrassing.

For the price, you could say you are driving a new car. A Used Camry would cost you more than that in the UK. This is a great car for college students and Burger flippers and Magestrates
Think about it, its a brand new car with leather!!!! In the UK!!!! where money is difficult to come by

[tomprice]

Originally Posted by mbukukanyau

For the price, you could say you are driving a new car. A Used Camry would cost you more than that in the UK.

1) We don't get Camry. 2) We don't get Camry 3) The Camry is as popular as dog pooh burgers 4) Therefore depreciation is colossal

5) Therefore a used Camry does not cost more than the Epica. Because there aren't many. This is the most expensive used Camry in the UK:

http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/www...00729291589332

It is £5,990. The Epica is between 2 and 3 times that.

Originally Posted by mbukukanyau

This is a great car for college students and Burger flippers and Magestrates
Think about it, its a brand new car with leather!!!! In the UK!!!! where money is difficult to come by

Eh? What the ruddy fapping hell are you gibbering on about?

Plenty of new cars have leather. Money isn't scarce. The UK isn't an LEDC.

And it's magistrate not magestrate (sic). Do you even know what one is???

[mikmak]

Tom if you are considering an Epica, consider imported Oz suspension. We got the harder damper setup, which is odd as euros are usually too hard for our roads. I did a review on the Oz spec one and even though its no fire starter, it is smooth, comfortable and handled very well. Considering the large array of small capacity engines in the UK and Europe, it wouldn't be so out of place in your market. It serves its pupose (except in the sales department ).