A full featured van with seven seats, 141 HP, and a lot of variability for under 19,000 euros? A challenge to VW, Ford, Mazda and Opel – made by Chevrolet.

The Chevrolet spark talk made this year not only by linguistically sophisticated promotional language itself. With bold design and cheap prices, the small spark became the darling of the inexpensive toddlers. Now, the Americans with Korean vehicle genes set after at the top of the lineup. In the spring of 2011, the redesigned mid-size SUV comes Chevrolet Captiva, seduction and stronger than before. But from March, the families are initially surprised by the new Orlando. The seven-convinced as already the other Chevrolet models in the current generation with monumental outfit and very good practical qualities. Especially the cheap models are likely to attract family rich clients – from 18.990 euro.

Currently no other Siebensitzer-van on the German market offers a mobile seat to the favourable purchase price of 2,700 euros. Who does not need the two jump seats in the third row with their all too via lasting entry, stowed with two handles in the flat ground. Then is a trunk with 454 litres of storage space available. If you wrap all rows, can use almost 1,500 litres. If more should be have two children on the way home, again the seats out drawn and it can go on seven. The 4.65 meters long van makes optical on crossover with rustic SUV genes. A four wheel drive would be Orlando at least as an option to shame. It would be even ago the extended platform of Chevrolet Cruze and Opel Astra. But if you would like in the House of Chevrolet a 4 x 4 drive to, must remain with the Captiva or trutzburg-like pick ups and SUV set on the US market. Of them, the Orlando has lent the design with powerful hood and powerful issued wheelhouses. The four doors and tailgate open far. This makes the seven will be built by GM subsidiary of Daewoo in Korea, practical.

In the Interior of the Orlando points. The seats are comfortable, the shelves are numerous and the material perceived standesgemäß. The cockpit is resourceful not only by the swing-up control unit on the central console. Alone the surfaces could be improvement. But remember – the air just in the van Division is sparsely less than 20,000 euros. Expect no miracles, please and enjoy the clearly arranged control elements and well-to-read display. The close relationship to different Opel models is obvious and anything but harmful.

Even with the engines, Chevrolet has now arrived in the present. The 141 HP but just a cheap beginner’s choice is strong base gasoline without grave goods such as variable valve timing or even a turbocharged not entirely on the amount of time. The two cylinders-diesel, which has concern Chevrolet from supplier VM are much more interesting. The basic version with 96 KW / 131 diesel PS should lure in particular price-conscious fleet customers. Much better the larger of the two two-litre diesel with 120 KW / 163 HP and 360 nm reflected maximum torque. Thus the Chevy Van although not to the Renntier, but neatly motorized. VM, known otherwise hardly for particularly smooth running diesel has reworked here under the Euro 5 programmes and administered the variant to a greater quietness. In connection with the optional six-speed automatic transmission, the Chevrolet Orlando becomes a pleasant caravan with passage of down and found its performance. The never exceed speed: km/thin 195 h The standard consumption is between six and seven liters diesel per 100 kilometers.

The steering is precise, but the converter automatic swallows some of the elasticity of high-torque Orlando diesel. The firm suspension tuning of the pre-series models, however, not only positively surprised. On the rear axle is likely the van present themselves more comfortable and less rant. Too much athleticism doesn’t fit in this class. But the price will forget the one or other blemish of good overall appearance. The 141 HP a fictitious luring offer is strong base gasoline for 18.990 euros here. No one would be today without air conditioning and a reasonable standard. The competition of Mazda 5, Renault Grand scenic or Opel Zafira starts only at over 21,000 euros. In particular the least 22.390 euro expensive Orlando base diesel with 131 PS is a very good deal for a Reconfigurable with this space. So 5,000 vehicles should can sell in the first year of production – and rising.