Orlando to lead Bowtie badge's European invasion

Published Aug 25, 2010

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Chevrolet's first entrant into the European MPV segment, the Orlando, will be one of the star attractions on the GM stand at the 2010 Paris auto show - but it will be only one of four Chevrolet world premieres at the show.

It's based on the show car first seen at Paris in 2008, combining seven-seater practicality and interior flexibility with crossover styling - but without the boxy look common to "family buses" often seen in this segment.

Chev's new compact MPV adopts a bolder look with a low roofline and crossover-inspired silhouette, its "face" defined by the split radiator grille and bowtie badge, standing four-square on 16, 17 or 18" alloys in protruding wheel-arches.

Wayne Brannon, managing director for Chevrolet Europe, explained: "The Orlando kicks off an ambitious seven-product launch programme over the next 15 months.

"We're confident the Orlando not only brings great value for money to the MPV class but also something fresh - function with attitude if you like - and the opportunity for us to continue building our volume across Europe. I believe it will also bring more new customers to the Chevrolet brand."

GMSA is also looking at bringing the Orlando to South Africa but as yet no decision has been made.

The cabin of the Orlando shares its DNA with Chev's signature cars such as the Corvette, with a dual-cockpit layout for the front seats and ambient blue backlighting on the centre console.

But what's more likely to impress the soccer moms and family-orientated dads who will make up the majority of Orlando drivers will be the theatre-style layout of its three rows of seats.

In spite of its sweeping roof-line, the designers have raised the second and third rows of seats to give occupants a better view forward and to the side - and the Orlando can be quickly transformed into what the makers says is one of the biggest vans in its class.

Any hardworking family car needs plenty of storage for all the clutter that fills our lives and the Orlando comes compartments of different shapes and sizes situated in the centre console, doors, rear cargo area - and even the roof.

But perhaps the most ingenious is a storage area hidden behind control panel of the audio system; flip it up to reveal a compartment big enough for such items as an MP3 player, sunglasses and wallets. This compartment also has a USB port for charging an MP3 or iPod on the move.

The Orlando is based on Chevrolet's Cruze sedan platform and will be available in Europe with a choice of one petrol (1.8 litres, 104kW) or two diesel engines, each a two-litre but one tuned for 97kW and the other for 120kW.

Standard equipment will include stability control, six crash bags, aircon and heatable, power-adjustable door mirrors.

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