Class king even better

12 December 2011 - 22:58 By BOBBY CHEETHAM
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GM'S long-awaited Chevrolet bakkie has finally hit the streets.

The third-generation Chev Utility enters the market at a time when its close competitor, the Ford Bantam bakkie, has finally ceased production, opening the way for increased sales.

There is no word yet about a replacement for the Bantam, which means the Chev Utility will maintain its dominance in the market.

For the last six-and-a-half years the Opel/Chev bakkie has topped the Naamsa sales charts and this looks like how it is going to be for a while to come.

The bakkie, manufactured at General Motors's Struandale plant in Port Elizabeth, is part of a R1-billion investment by the firm which will result in eight new models being introduced in the next 12 months.

The Chev bakkie enters the market with a choice of seven derivatives powered by either 1.4-litre or 1.8-litre four-cylinder petrol engines.

Both these engines are carried over from the previous range. But they benefit from a hardware and electronic upgrade that makes the new vehicle not only more driveable but also more efficient, as we discovered last week on the launch drive from Port Elizabeth to Cape St Francis and back.

There's plenty of space for the two occupants with many hide holes to stash small goodies from prying eyes.

However, on the smaller engine model the brake feel was off-putting, with long pedal-travel before the brakes engaged. There's nothing wrong with the stopping ability, it's just that one would like to see the brakes engage at the top of brake pedal rather than halfway on the down stroke. The bigger engine model we drove on the way back to PE was a tad better. The 1.4-litre engine is available in Base, Base AC, Club, and Sport specification levels.

This engine produces maximum power of 68kW at 6000rpm with peak torque of 120Nm at 3200rpm.

Drive is via a five-speed manual transmission. In its latest form the Chevrolet Utility 1.4 Base is the most powerful entry-level vehicle in its segment, claims GM.

The company says that, with fuel consumption of 7.2l/100km for the combined cycle achieved by the SABS, the 1.4 Base is also the most fuel-efficient, entry-level vehicle in its segment. The 1.8-litre engine is available in Base AC, Club, and Sport specification levels.

Maximum power is 77kW at 5400rpm with peak torque of 161Nm at 3000rpm - engine performance that places it at the top of its class.

Drive is via a five-speed manual transmission. Combined cycle fuel consumption is measured at 8.1l/100km, says GM.

The Utility is a good-looking vehicle with a sedan-like finish and appearance. The up-to-the-minute chrome bezel styling treatment with polycarbonate lenses for the lamps brings a fresh, fun, styling approach to the segment. Fog lights mounted in the lower outer corners of the front bumper on Club and Sport models, accent the fresh appearance of these two higher specification models.

The rear of the vehicle is defined by the modern rear light clusters, once again with polycarbonate lenses used to great effect against a backdrop of chrome bezels for these fittings.

Ground clearance is increased by 17mm to 170mm. The load area depth is decreased by 13mm, to provide better visibility while the length of the load area is reduced by just 2mm to 1680mm.

The width of the load area is, however, increased by 25mm to 1340mm. On balance, the load box volume varies by just 0.6%. Payload capability is 763kg for 1.4-litre models and 733kg for 1.8-litre models.

Service intervals are 15000km or 12 months. A service plan is available as an option. The Chevrolet Utility is covered by a five-year/120000km warranty with roadside assistance for the full warranty period. Corrosion warranty cover is provided for five years with no kilometre limit.

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to predict that the Chev Utility is going to be another runaway success for GM. Apart from the Nissan NP 200, there is no serious competitor that comes close to matching the winning formula of Chev Utility.

The Specs:

 

Engine: 1.4 litre, four-cylinder, eight-valve, SOHC

Power: 68kW at 6000rpm

Torque: 120Nm at 3200rpm

Acceleration: N/A

Fuel consumption: 7.2 l/100km

CO2: N/A

Engine: 1.8 litre, four-cylinder, eight-valve, SOHC

Power: 72kW at 5400rpm

Torque: 161Nm at 3000rpm

Acceleration: N/A

Fuel consumption: 8.1/100km.

CO2: N/A

Prices:

1.4 Base: R115600

1.4 Base AC: R123600

1.4 Club: R136000

1.4 Sport: R161000

1.8 Club: R148500

1.8 Sport: R173500

We like:

Just about everything

We don't like:

The spongy feel of the brakes

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