Chevrolet Camaro

Bye-bye budget cars... Chevrolet is ready to flex its muscles in the performance market. It won’t be unveiled officially until the Detroit Motor Show in 2010, but the stunning new Camaro has already been spied undisguised by our snappers in the US.The styling has barely changed from that of the Camaro concept which appeared at the 2006 Detroit expo. Angular lines, sharp details and bulging panels provide the Canadian-built model with a truly American look.Even the shapes of the front and rear lights are daring and distinctive, showing just how Chevy intends to rival the new Dodge Challenger.In the US, the most popular model in the range is likely to be the flagship V8 variant, but a cheaper V6 Camaro will also be offered.

What’s more, bosses are considering using an efficient four-cylinder power­plant, in anticipation of even higher fuel costs before the end of the decade. The newcomer shares its basic architecture with Vauxhall’s VXR8, so has a rear-wheel-drive transmission. Even though the Camaro will deli­ver Porsche-chasing performance, the firm is promising bargain prices, and the two-door is set to be cheaper than the VXR8. As a result, the V8-powered model will be available for less than £35,000.The Camaro is expected be available in right-hand drive when it goes on sale in the UK in 2010. It will head a rejuvenated Chevrolet line-up that will leave its Korean roots behind and embrace its US heritage.Before the Camaro is officially revealed, the General Motors-owned firm will pull the covers off its Lacetti replacement at the Paris Motor Show in September. Codenamed J300, the new compact model – which is based on the same platform as the next-generation Vauxhall Astra – will be available first as a four-door, while a hatchback variant is due to join the range at a later date.The French event will also see Chevrolet reveal a new MPV concept. This will be the first of many models, as the firm is promising to launch one every 16 weeks until 2012.Source

Vauxhall Astra

Vauxhall is set to launch a fierce new attack on its bitter rival Ford with this: the next Astra.Boasting a fresh look and a wide range of engines, the striking hatchback will combine style and driver appeal like never before.It goes on sale in 18 months’ time, and is the next step in Vaux­hall’s renaissance. The new Astra will follow in the footsteps of the Vectra-replacing Insignia – which debuts at July’s Brit­ish Motor Show in London – as well as the redesigned Meriva, due in deal­ers here early in 2009.As with those models, the Astra has received a style overhaul, bringing in a shape which is sleeker than before. And with replacements for big-hitters such as the Volks­wagen Golf and Renault Mégane scheduled to arrive within 12 months, that’s just as well.We told you about the new Astra in Issue 947. But now, our spies have scooped one of the first prototypes undergoing testing – and our main pictures show what’s lurking under the disguise.The nose is clearly inspired by the Insignia, and wears bold headlights and deep air intakes, while at the rear there is a squat Seat Leon-style tail, as well as distinctive C-pillars.As well as the five-door shown here, there will be a three-door Sport Hatch model. And as is the case with the current generation, this car will be completely different from its more practical brother, with a rakish tailgate and lower roofline creating a coupé-like profile.Inside, the Astra will take the fight to the Golf and Ford Focus head-on, with a quality cabin that takes a leaf out of the Insignia’s book. Soft-touch plastics are fitted throughout, while standard equipment will include Blue-tooth phone connectivity, plus integrated sat-nav and audio technology.Parent firm General Motors has conceived the newcomer as a world car, and it will share its platform with Saab’s forthcoming 9-1 (see Page 14). Astra mechanicals will also underpin several Chevrolets, including the new Volt, plus the next Aveo and Lacetti.The model will reach the US, too, wearing a Saturn badge. Diesel isn’t so popular there, but the car’s close relationship with the Volt means a hybrid petrol drivetrain will be available for the first time. A FlexFuel bio­ethanol model will be offered as well.In Europe, though, small-capacity turbocharged petrol and diesel powerplants will account for the vast majority of sales. And sitting at the top of the new Astra range will be a 250bhp 2.0-litre turbo VXR version, complete with four-wheel drive.The rest of the line-up is front-wheel drive, although engineers have developed a new multi-link independ­ent rear suspension set-up. That should ensure the Vauxhall delivers handling to match the class-leading Focus.Expect to see the first concept car previewing the new Astra at a major motor show in 2009. UK sales will then start a few months later.Source

Chevrolet Captiva 2.4 LT

Chevrolet’s first 4x4 has finally hit Europe, and Auto Express was first to get behind the wheel! We were Captiva-ted by the Daewoo-badged version, and now we’ve tried the Chevy on Continental roads to see how it measures up. We grabbed the keys to the sole petrol offering in the range – a 140bhp 2.4-litre model. Visually, the Captiva ticks all the right boxes, with a tall and chunky appearance. Roof rails and plastic side mouldings also give it real off-road credibility, while the electronically controlled four-wheel drive of our test car can put as much as 50 per cent of the available power to the rear axle.For the school run, the interior even has the option of a third row of chairs, making the Chevy a full seven-seater. Although space is tight in the back section, the chairs fold flat when not in use to improve load space.

Stowage for five-passenger cars is 465 litres, rising to 930 litres when you lower the second row. However, if you use all seven seats, room for luggage is very restricted. Whatever layout you choose, there is the benefit of opening rear glass, so you needn’t raise the entire tailgate to gain access to the boot.
Up front, the neatly designed dashboard and centre console look good. And although hard cabin plastics are the order of the day, solid build quality and generous equipment compensate. Unfortunately, the heating panel and stereo are positioned far too low, while a needless storage cubby occupies the more desirable location higher up.
On the road, the Captiva is more MPV than SUV. Light and accurate controls enable relaxed long-distance cruising, although you have to work the raucous 2.4-litre engine hard to make fast progress – the 0-60mph sprint takes 11.5 seconds. At motorway speeds, wind noise from the big door mirrors is a distraction.
Our main disappointments were the notchy manual five-speed transmission and the firm ride on the admittedly rutted roads of our test route. However, the suspension set-up does give the Captiva decent body control for such a tall vehicle, and roll is relatively well contained, too.
We will have to wait until we drive the Chevrolet on British roads before delivering a final verdict, but the initial signs are encouraging. Prices have still to be announced, yet when the Captiva arrives next February, expect LS-spec front-wheel-drive five-seaters to cost little more than £16,000. Standard-fit equipment will include air-conditioning, electric and heated door mirrors, remote central locking and an MP3-compatible stereo.
Go for an LT model such as the one driven here, and you’ll get self-levelling suspension, ESP, 17-inch alloy wheels and half-leather trim, too. Ultimately, though, big petrol-engined SUVs are never the most sensible choice, and despite its reasonable economy, the Captiva does nothing to change that.
The oil-burner will undoubtedly be the pick of the line-up when it arrives in showrooms in the UK, and if the mid-range seven-seater is priced at £18,500 as predicted, it will give its rivals some serious competition.Source