Holden Dumps 2.0L Six, But Introduces Diesel & Six-Speed Auto With Epica Upgrade

[JoeT]

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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[Aych Es Vee]

six speed autos .... wow. Un-expected.
Definitely great upgrades.

[SpaceCowboy]

A six speed auto is always a good thing and certainly looks good on the standard features list espicially next to the five speed equipped Camry, however it doesn't really look good against the V6 powered Commodores which come with either a four or five speed auto. I know the two vehicles won't often be shopped against each other, but when will holden learn - they had the same problem with the five speed Vectra when compared to the then four speed only Commodore.

While a diesel will help it still won't turn the Epica's lacklustre sales around. Then are they going to ditch this steaming pile of rubbish in favour of the Insignia?

[BBDOS CV8]

The Epica now has ESC and tilt-telescoping steering - plus a diesel version a full $6-10K below most of it's competitors. Holden's problem has been getting enough. That will still continue - the car is selling well both at home and in China as the Buick Excelle.

If Holden ever gets the Insignia it will likely be priced up around Mondeo prices - or up to $10,000 more. They ain't gonna sell many at that price.

Holden/Daewoo have adressed the biggest issues of missing ESC, adjustable steering and five-speed manual/autobox - it was a 4-star ANCAP car with 4 airbags, so with curtains and ESC it should be 4.5. It now has the feature comparable (more in fact) than it's major competitors at a lower price. Sub 30K diesel, for instance. It was already the cheapest midsizer to run. Should be even less, given the price isn't going up. The petrol Epica gets similar economy to the diesel Mondeo - the diesel Epica knocks it into a cocked hat for economy.

[chinamonty]

Doesnt look to bad either but I bet the panel beaters love those headlamp sets.

[mikmak]

Originally Posted by BBDOS CV8

The Epica now has ESC and tilt-telescoping steering - plus a diesel version a full $6-10K below most of it's competitors. Holden's problem has been getting enough. That will still continue - the car is selling well both at home and in China as the Buick Excelle.

If Holden ever gets the Insignia it will likely be priced up around Mondeo prices - or up to $10,000 more. They ain't gonna sell many at that price.

Holden/Daewoo have adressed the biggest issues of missing ESC, adjustable steering and five-speed manual/autobox - it was a 4-star ANCAP car with 4 airbags, so with curtains and ESC it should be 4.5. It now has the feature comparable (more in fact) than it's major competitors at a lower price. Sub 30K diesel, for instance. It was already the cheapest midsizer to run. Should be even less, given the price isn't going up. The petrol Epica gets similar economy to the diesel Mondeo - the diesel Epica knocks it into a cocked hat for economy.

I think you were in too much of a hurry to use your favourite cocked hat ref BBDOS. The petrol Epica gets 9.3l/100km. Diesel Mondeo is 7.3l/100km. Diesel Epica is actually less efficient at 7.6.

[mikmak]

If this is the same as the Captiva and Astra diesel (which I assume it would be) this could be useful:
STEINBAUER

[mikmak]

Getting better.

[Ssom]

Originally Posted by mikmak

I think you were in too much of a hurry to use your favourite cocked hat ref BBDOS. The petrol Epica gets 9.3l/100km. Diesel Mondeo is 7.3l/100km. Diesel Epica is actually less efficient at 7.6.

Yup, the Epica 2.5 is 9.3 Km/100l which is bang on the same as the 2.3 Mondeo.

I'd like to see how the Epica goes, it needs to be over 500/month constantly from now on to avoid replacement by Insignia (Or at least becoming Holdens Camry while Insignia guns for downsizing ex-Commodore buyers).

Definitely not something I'd buy and I can't see many moving from a Commodore into one of these. Though that said I am running on the risky assumption that the average Commodore/Falcon buyer is better informed than other car buyers.

Another problem is the Sonata diesel, Hyundai are willing to give massive discounts, ($10,000 to the NZ Taxi Federation for example) on these cars.

[paul8488]

Poor unloved Epica. I really hope these changes help it out... it's a car that deserves to do well. I can understand cars like the Viva and Barina flopping, but I find the Epica very likeable and would like to see it suceed, instead of wither away.

[Slick_Holden]

It is looking better now, Good option to go diesel and make it more cheaper then the competition, Good move Holden.

[derrado]

Well, despite my dislike of the Epica, I say kudos to Holden for releasing an affordable mid-size diesel into the market.

[TKR]

Originally Posted by Ssom

I'd like to see how the Epica goes, it needs to be over 500/month constantly from now on to avoid replacement by Insignia (Or at least becoming Holdens Camry while Insignia guns for downsizing ex-Commodore buyers).

If the Insignia is to come to NZ I hope it is a whole heap more reliable than the ZC Vectra was. As for the Epica, so far warranty issues are real low - in fact next to nothing and certainly nothing remotely serious.

[Ssom]

Originally Posted by TKR

If the Insignia is to come to NZ I hope it is a whole heap more reliable than the ZC Vectra was. As for the Epica, so far warranty issues are real low - in fact next to nothing and certainly nothing remotely serious.

ZC's aren't that bad, hardly Honda-quality, but improved on the JS at least. Fords quality improvements (Reliability of the Focus and post '00 Mondeo has been more or less Japanese levels) that began with the Focus in 1999 have forced Opel/Vauxhall to lift their game, in the same way GM in the States had to.

The quality yardstick for the Insignia would be the AH Astra rather than the ZC Vectra. I recall you saying somewhere that you dealt with warranty claims for Holden, but I don't know of any serious ZC issues outside of dirty oil clogging the lubrication jet in 2.2's (And snapping cam-chain) and the infamous parking brake debacle on the manuals, perhaps you could enlighten me as to the rest.

[Rick_VT]

Unusual for a car maker to have their entry level car a 6 cylinder, if they were really lookin to get more sales why dont they offer the 2.0 or 2.2 Ecotec 4 cylinder as the entry level model, it seems weird that Holden are having troubles securing cars for sale, surely they should be able to make an extra 500 a month for Holden to sell here in Aus