The Namibia Economist

Chevrolet Captiva on a winning streak

General Motors Company, one of the world’s largest automakers, traces its roots back to 1908. With its global headquarters in Detroit, GM employs 209 000 people in every major region of the world and does business in more than 120 countries. GM and its strategic partners produce cars and trucks in 31 countries, and sell and service these vehicles through the following brands:  Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, Daewoo, Holden, Isuzu, Jiefang, Opel, Vauxhall, and Wuling.
Chevrolet opened up an all-new vehicle market when it invented the SUV back in 1935. Building on this vast experience, the company has refined the Captiva, to advance with the changing needs of a global SUV audience with a focus on environmental awareness and added vehicle refinement.
Now General Motors has released a significantly restyled and refreshed Chevrolet Captiva SUV. Chevrolet has enhanced the popular Captiva SUV for 2011 to an extent that it is effectively an all new vehicle with a fresh new look, a number of interior upgrades, improved power trains for better performance and efficiency, refinements to the chassis, a new advanced electronics package and lower interior noise and vibration levels.
GM sold four-million cars worldwide in 2010 – one leaves a production line somewhere around the globe every few seconds.
The new Chevrolet Captiva stresses all that is great about Chevrolet, a long time South African favourite automotive brand. Value for money, expressive design, and appeal as family vehicles typify the values for which the Chevrolet brand has become renowned over generations of motorists all over the world.
Building on this proven formula, the design team has revised the exterior styling of the Captiva for a fresh new look. This latest Captiva is immediately identified by its new face defined by a dual-port grille with black honeycomb inserts, chrome surrounds and prominent Chevrolet “bow-tie” insignia set in a body colour grille surround. A new headlamp treatment sees the lamp clusters sweep forward into the front corners of the vehicle with polycarbonate lenses providing a smooth surface over the functional elements of the lamp cluster.
The overall sleek appearance of the Captiva is defined by a swept windscreen and roof line that provide a sleek aero profile. The side view is complimented by a tight tyre-to-body relationship imparting a well-grounded appearance.
In its market segment the Captiva offers a superb value proposition, high level specification and performance. The Captiva features a 7-seat configuration that makes it unique in its price category, a distinct benefit for families. The clever “fold-flat-to-floor” seating layout of the Captiva provides for a multitude of flexible seating configurations for up to seven passengers.
The rearmost seats fold away flat at the pull of a lever for an unencumbered load bay. The second row of seats can also be folded away, completely flat - in stages, to add more versatility to the load area. If the need arises to carry the occasional extra-long item, such as a step ladder, then the front passenger seat can also be folded down to provide a load length of 2,7 metres on that side of the vehicle.
With the rearmost seats folded flat luggage capacity is 477 litres. Fold the middle row of seats down and this increases to 942 litres. With all but the driver’s seat folded down there is a massive 1 565 litres of load capacity available.
The new Chevrolet Captiva is powered by either a 2.4 litre Ecotec engine with variable valve timing that produces 123 kW and 230 Nm of torque, or a direct injection 3.0 litre V6 that delivers 190 kW with 288 Nm of torque. Both are latest generation engines from Chevrolet that offer exceptional fuel economy.
Combined cycle fuel economy is 8,8 l/100km for the front wheel drive 2.4 litre model and 9,2 l/100km for the all-wheel drive model. The 3.0 litre direct injection engine delivers combined cycle economy of 10,6 l/100km.
I test drove the Captiva 3.0 LTZ AWD, and this model would definitely be my personal choice, mainly for overtaking and in the event that you might want to tow a boat or caravan. I was very surprised with the way the interior space was arranged, the seating position is comfortable and you actually feel guilty to drive a vehicle of this stature on your own and with no passengers. I felt the urge to share all the space, comfort, performance, luxury etc with someone. To say the least, I am definitely hooked on the new Captiva.
Both engines are more powerful than those in the previous range, the 2.4 is up from 100kW to 123kW and the V6 from 169kW to 190kW.
Hill-start assistance is a new feature on both models. The all-wheel drive is an on-demand system that, under normal conditions, sends all the torque to the front wheels but calls on the rear axle when the electronic system detects in excess of 14% loss of traction up front.
ABS brakes with Brake Assist and ESP (Electronic Stability Programme) provide enhanced driver control for collision avoidance across the range while traction control, Hill Decent Control, and Hill Start Assist extend the list of safety features.
General Motors South Africa stands behind this commitment to overall quality with a 5 year/120 000 kilometre warranty. A 3 year/60 000 kilometre Service Plan is included in the purchase price of the Captiva.
PRICES
Captiva 2.4 LT  FWD  – N$ 308 220
Captiva 3.0 LTZ AWD a/t – N$ 446 422
Call Auas Motors ASAP and add the Captiva to your short list.

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