GM might be in crisis right now, but not all model development has ceased. Our spies in Scandinavia have caught the production iteration of the Chevrolet Orlando concept car out on winter test ahead of a 2010 showroom launch.
The Orlando is Chevy’s answer to the Vauxhall/Opel Zafira – but wrapped up in a taller, SUV-inspired design. Think Dodge Nitro, super-sized.
It’s a seven-seater and will be based on the mechanical package of the Cruze family car. That spells out a front-drive package with a range of 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0-litre petrol and diesel engines. The concept used a 2.0 TD with 148bhp and 236lb ft.
Chevrolet Orlando: the packaging
Seating for seven is arranged over three rows. The show car at Paris 2008 impressed with the flexibility of its five fold-flat pews; let’s see if the production car can manage the same with its 2-3-2 set-up. It retains the one-touch collapsible lowering system, we hear.
One or two of the Orlando concept interior tricks are promised, too. The stereo panel flips up to reveal a hidden compartment behind where you can stow your MP3 player. A useful touch, particularly when Chevrolet sells strongly in Italy – a market still troubled by high car crime stats.
Why is the production car scooped here running on French plates? Apparently Chevrolet does plenty of R&D testing in the Pyrenees. Expect the finished item in UK showrooms in spring 2010, priced from around £15,000 to £21,000.
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