Test Drive Chevrolet Epica since 2006 Sedan

Without noise and dust

The former leader of the Korean Crusaders Chevrolet Evanda did not enjoy very popular and somehow imperceptibly disappeared from the showroom. His place occupied Epica.
They say this is a completely new car. And I do not leave the feeling that this is the result of high-quality rejuvenation. Somewhere peeling, somewhere Botox, somewhere the suspension. Devil's dose of fitness. And as a vented outcome of a fresh look, a brilliant look and a good posture. But the essence, that is, the platform, the former. The height and width of Epica changed to the county millimeters, and the increase in 3 cm long, in principle, is easily achievable by correction of the form of bumpers. But I will not extend: it looks not as an example more relevant to Evanda. Not badly balanced proportions, clean lines, simple and clear style. Optics, though not too original. Giant sizes The block headlights crisen seemed to have Citroen, and the rear lights and the Rio and Mondeo hybrid at all.
 
The team of Korean designers, led by American David Lyon, performed two tasks. First, Epica, the homeland known under the dull name Daewoo Tosca, should create a similar purchase on the subconscious level. More Iron for your money, the concept of though rudely, but intelligent. Large, flat forms to her match how it is impossible. Plus, they tend to look quite neutral. Here we come to the task number two, that is, the formation of such an appearance, which would like to give the average buyers of four key markets: North America, Continental Europe, China and Korea. What is it, eh? Extreme cosmopolitanism! In the desire to please all and immediately, nothing is galloping, but here is an individual such an approach in the bud. So the designer revelations a priori do not have to wait. Maybe then headlights from Citroen and nothing?
Changing generations did not destroy the main and, perhaps, the only technical distribution of the car transverse location of the row six. This technique does not carry this technique, except that Volvo also actively practitioners is convinced of the positive impact of such a layout on the passive security of powerful modifications of its models. And for the first time, the transverse sixs appeared on the British LEYLAND British company in the early 70s.
So far, two motors are intended for EPICA. Both belong to the Family HC and have a similar design: aluminum blocks, double camshafts. The scheme of six cylinders in a row is considered ideal from the point of view of ensuring the smoothness of the engine and minimizing vibrations. The base 2-liter engine develops 143 hp, and a 2.5-liter 13 horses are more powerful. Europeans all this is not interesting, they are waiting for the newest 150-horsepower Turbodiesel who will go on sale in the near future.
 
In our hands, there was a 2.5-liter EPICA, which simultaneously means the maximum of possible complete sets with a leather interior, a sevental machine, climate control and all the fact that Koreans understand the word luxury. Details? There is standard comfort-equipment like seats with drives and heating, multi-meal and multi-key. There is something more interesting: athermal glazing, heated windshield and parking sensors. The description of the audio system is promising: a CD changer, MP3 format support, eight speakers run forward, say with regret that the sound it generates quite mediocre, plastic.
 
The salon-stuffed salon looks eclectic. Something brought to mind, something is done on an ambulance hand. Compared to neat, pleasant handles of music management and microclimate, coarse covers of the central console look too attractive. Multivatto silver, especially on the steering wheel and dashboard. The eye control panel of the driver's seat is not happy about the doorway. However, it is necessary to be more positive. A large car where everything is with a big engine, for 30 thousand dollars. Good after all, right?
 
The size is one of the advantages of EPICA. The golden cross on the nose of the tiny Aveo still causes strange feelings: we understand that we are talking about stylization, but it is easy to suggest. The same with Lanos. And Epica is still closer to the American format. Outside squeezed, inside spacious. Four people will not experience any arms in their feet, nor in shoulders or heads. The trunk accommodates 480 liters of boot, which exceeds the indicator of many models of class D.
Progress is noticeable in part of finishing materials. A soft plastic appeared, the so-called Soft Look is widely used. That's just Koreans did not take into account that against the background of a good mediocre will be more visually. Therefore, details from slippery plastic, natural for the same Evanda, here already cause something like aesthetic protest.
Do not be afraid
The target group of the EPICA model in Western Europe is characterized as follows: spouses older than 50 years, whose children live separately. Tranquility and peace is what should generously generate such a car. And no, feel God, adrenaline. So it, by and large, is happening.
Soft chairs with unobtrusive side support and comfortable suspension protect the spine from the effects of road relief. Smooth, but energetic gas responses, incremental gears exclude jerks. Even the vague brakes are perceived as the benefit of a sharp movement of the driver will not make the car bend to the nose and snap passengers. A silent engine and excellent sound insulation create an atmosphere of bliss inside the cabin. The car ruls is easily and understandable. It is not clear: why epica low-profile 17-inch tires? They only force the pendant once again to vibrate and loud on the irregularities.
 
Sorry, but I could not resist not to go faster. It should be noted that 10 s to a hundred for a 2.5-liter motor, even if working in a pair with ACP, for our time is still a bit too much. A sharp movement of the accelerator either the motor nor the box does not like. Environmental delays arise in the engine reactions, and the machine is somehow definitely shifting its stretched transmissions. Switching from IV to V is transformed into an event, no matter how long awaited, and so long. Thanks to the manual mode for what it is.
 
On the highway, the car is wonderful and in gentle turns behaves perfectly. With increasing speed, the steering wheel is poured by adequate reactive effort, which in combination with low sensitivity allows the driver does not strain once again. But for cool turns, EPICA does not fit: stupid, rolls, with an accuracy of taxi not all well. Again, brakes. And the mass of questions causes a lack of a stabilization system, which, by promising GM DAT representatives, will not appear before summer. Safety is not a reason to save.
 
Coming from the Evanda scene was content with the role of the statist. Epica will not succeed in the trenches. Manufacture of the car at the Daewoo plant in Bofhene, which is 25 km west of Seoul, unfolds in full swing. Already by the middle of the year, EPICA will be sold in the 90 countries markets, of which 30 are located in the old world. However, if you believe rumors, this car will not long stay in the status of the flagship of the European line Chevrolet. At the moment, adaptation under the European standards of the Australian sedan Holden Ve Commodore equipped with V6 and V8 motors. In the US, he debuts under the Pontiac brand already in February, and Europeans can be represented in the fall. Of course, like a carrier of the Chevrolet brand. All seriously!
CHEVROLET EPICA 2.5 specifications
Dimensions, mm 4805x1810x1450
Base, mm 2700
Pitch, mm 1550/1545
Run diameter, m 10,8
Curb weight, kg 1500
Engine type gasoline row 6-cylinder
Working volume, cube. CM 2492.
Max. Power, hp / rpm 156/5800
Max. Moment, nm / rpm 237/4000
Transmission Automatic 5-Range
Drive front
Max. Speed, km / h 209
Tires 215/50 R17
Acceleration time 0-100 km, from 9.9
Fuel consumption (EU), l / 100 km 13.8 / 6.6 / 9.3
Volume of tank, l 65
 
Leonid Klyuev
Photo by Alexander Vasilyev
 
 
 
 

A source: Magazine "Autopanoram"