GM has announced the new Chevrolet Captiva, a compact SUV for Europe, due on sale in the summer of 2006. As the S3X concept, the vehicle made its first appearance at the 2004 Paris Motor Show, where it was enthusiastically received by the media and the public alike. The Chevrolet Captiva retains all the strong design elements of the concept and offers truly expressive style and a spacious, convenient interior featuring high quality fabrics and materials. The new Captiva (length/width/height: 4,639/1,849/1,726 mm) will be available with either five or seven seats as standard depending on the derivative. Customers will also have the choice between front-wheel and all-wheel-drive variants.

Captiva will be Chevrolet’s first compact SUV with a diesel engine. With impressive on-road ride and handling, tailored to suit the requirements of European roads and customers, the vehicle will be available with a state of the art two-litre 150hp common-rail direct-injection diesel. There will also be a 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with 140hp and both will offer superb driving dynamics. Captiva will be the first model in Chevrolet’s European range with an electronic stability program (ESP).

The diesel engine was developed in co-operation between GM Powertrain and VM in Italy. It is the first application of a family of diesel engines that will later become available in the range of Lacetti 5-door, 4-door and Station Wagon models.

Captiva will make its world premiere at the Geneva Show in March 2006 and its UK show debut at the British International Motor Show in London in July 2006.

Source: General Motors