GM may launch new Captiva in India quickly after Beat diesel

General Motors (GM) India will likely launch a new Captiva SUV soon after the launch of the Chevrolet Beat Diesel in July 2011. It looks like the launch month is going to be October, in the Diwali festive season.

In March 2011, CarToq.com reported that Chevrolet will launch the Captiva during the second half of 2011. The new Captiva will be priced roughly Rs. 75,000 higher than the current model which costs Rs. 17.96 lakh for the base and goes up to Rs. 18.68 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).

Looks

The new Captiva gets a bow-tie styled large split-grille similar to that seen on the Chevrolet Beat and Cruze models. It has refreshed headlamps and a redesigned bumper that give a sporty look to the American SUV.

The side profiles of the new model are similar to the current Captiva, however the tail lamp cluster has been redesigned. It gets more chrome and a clear lens treatment though the shape of the rear bumper and boot lid has been retained.

The interiors of the upcoming Captiva will get a grey-black treatment however there are chances that the company may also offer bright beige interiors when the car is launched in India.

The upcoming Captiva’s dashboard, steering, and central console switches have been subtly upgraded to give the car SUV a refreshed look. Like the current model the new Captiva too will accommodate seven adults in the 2 + 3 + 2 seating arrangement. The second and third row seats can be folded flat in order to extend the cargo space.

Engine

The present Captiva is powered by a 2.0 litre VCDi Diesel motor that makes 147.9 bhp of peak power and 320 Nm of max torque. The new Captiva will likely be powered by a more powerful 2.2 litre turbo diesel engine that will make 184 bhp of max power and 400 Nm of max torque. The engine will be mated to 6-speed manual and a possible automatic transmission.

According to Chevrolet, the new Captiva takes 9.4 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 100 kmph and can reach a maximum speed of 200 kmph. Expect the new Captiva to return a mileage of 15.6 kmpl. Chevrolet will likely offer the Captiva in both 4×2 and 4×4 variants. The 4×4 variant will be equipped with a four-wheel drive system that offers a front-to-rear torque distribution of up to a ratio of 50:50.

Safety Features

The new Captiva will likely come with standard dual front airbags, ventilated disc brakes on all four wheels, standard ABS system (with sensors on all wheels), standard speed-sensitive steering, standard Hill Start Assist (HSA), Electronic Stability Control (ESC) that includes Hydraulic Brake Assist, Descent Control System and Active Rollover Protection.

The top-end variant of the upcoming Captiva will likely come with 19 inch wheels while the lower variants would get 18 inch and 17 inch wheels. All models will have 5 or 6 spoke alloy wheel pattern.

Competition

When launched, the new Captiva with its cosmetic as well as engine makeover it will have more strength to fight with the segment rivals like the Toyota Fortuner, Ford Endeavour and lower-end variants of the BMW X1.

The new Captiva will be an important car for GM in its Indian innings as it may help the brand develop a strong foothold in the premium SUV market.

(Photos Courtesy: netcarshow.com)