Geneva Motor Show - Chevrolet

Captiva and Epica
No, these are not characters from a Shakespeare play, they're two new models from Chevrolet.

The Captiva is a compact 4x4 to rival the likes of the new Land Rover Freelander. The Freelander will make its first appearance at the British International Motor Show in London in June.

On sale in the UK this August for around £17,000, the Captiva is based on the same platform that will also carry the new Vauxhall Antara, due towards the end of this year.

Unlike the Vauxhall, it will be available with the option of seven seats as well as five, and will also feature the company's first diesel made exclusively for the European market.

This 2.0-litre unit develops 148bhp and should be good for almost 40mpg fuel consumption. A 140bhp 2.4-litre petrol engine will also be on sale.

The Epica is Chevrolet's new bid to beat the Ford Mondeo at its own game. It launches late this year with the same diesel as the Epica, but will also be available with a 140bhp 2.0-litre petrol.

Prices are likely to start at about £16,000 for the Epica, which will have climate control, leather seats and driver, passenger, side and curtain airbags as standard.

They say
'Captiva is not just good looking, it's practical, too, with five- or seven-seat capability and a flexible seat arrangement that can be folded flat throughout.'

We say
We think Chevrolet is right. It's a good-looking car and the interior is certainly easy to use. Tug a handle and the rear headrests in row two or three flip down and allow the seat fold flat in an instant. Good stuff.