Chevrolet launches its Orlando

Muscling into the growing and competitive segment, Chevrolet proudly presented its first Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV) in Singapore. Dubbed the Orlando, the MPV was based on the chow car concept first seen in 2008 and is nevertheless a true family car, combining 7-seater practicality and generous load space.

According to Wayne Brannon, President and Managing Director of Chevrolet Europe, he said that he believes the Orlando will bring more new customers to the brand. He also added, “We’re confident the Orlando not only brings great value for money to the MPV class but at the same time something fresh – a certain function with attitude.”

The Shell

Chevrolet’s new compact MPV brings swagger to the segment by adopting its new face that’s also seen on the Captiva. Its bolder look with low roofline and crossover inspired silhouette retain the distinctive Chevrolet face that’s depicted by the split radiator grille and bow-tie badge.

A sculptured hood with center crease line flows into the front fenders which are sculpted with aggressively flared wheel arches to emphasise the brand’s “body-in, wheels-out” philosophy. The Orlando also features lower body cladding including a deep front splitter below the bumper section, which houses the front fog lamps. This allows the two-box design MPV to display a confident and purposeful stance when viewed from the front.

Round the back, the Chevy has a number of features that showcase the brand’s recent design, including the tail lamps. Additionally, the centre-mounted fog lamp, which sits in the rear bumper section, is sole unique to the Orlando.

A total of seven exterior colours are available from launch: Olympic White, Switchblade Silver, Carbon Flash (Black), Daydream Beige, Pewter Grey, Velvet Red and Smoky Grey.

The Inside

Having “Function with Attitude” as Chevrolet Orlando’s descriptive catch phrase, drivers of this new MPV will truly appreciate the well though tout ergonomics. It has been designed to facilitate major controls and switches to fall to hand easily, maximising safety and driver convenience. As demonstrated in, too, its 7-seater practicality, the design of the cabin has neither compromised functionality and user-friendliness nor interior flexibility and generous storage spaces.

When it comes to seating configurations, the MPV rises to the occasion as well. Both the left and right hand outer seats of the second row have a tumble-fold facility – effectively folded twice so that the seat back and cushion as one unit butts up against the back of the driver’s or passenger seats – for easy access into and out of the third row.

Space wise, folding the third row of seats to accommodate up to five occupants will increase the cargo volume area to 458 litres. By folding both second and third row, the space area increases to a voluminous 856 litres – one of the best in its compact MPV segment.

Under the hood

Orlando customers will have a choice of three engines - one gasoline and two diesels. Each offers the latest in performance potential and fuel efficiency. All engines are transversely mounted 4-cylinder units with common features including double overhead camshafts, 16 valves and either multi-point fuel injection, or in the case of diesels, common-rail technology. All the engines are constructed with a cast-iron cylinder block and alloy head, where further weight savings have been achieved.

The 1.8-litre gasoline engine produces an impressive 141bhp at 6,200rpm and a strong pulling power with 176Nm of torque at 3,800rpm, 85% of which is available at 2,000rpm. These figures allow the 1.5 tonne machine to finish the century sprint in 11.6 seconds and hit a maximum speed of 183km.

This normally aspirated powerplant is also fuel efficient with consumption on a combined cycle at 7.3L/100km and emissions of 172g/km, qualifying for the Euro 5 emissions class.