Chevrolet Epica : EPIC VALUE?

Theres something innately satisfying about paying a small price for a very big car. Chevrolets Epica affords the opportunity to do exactly that. June Neary takes a look.

Hailing from the US of A, the concept of offering its customers lots of metal for the money is a far from alien one to Chevrolet. Its UK model line has been steadily improving in terms of quality, refinement and other factors that appeal to European car buyers but the Epica is more American in its proposition to the public. Its a 4.8-metre long saloon car thats stuffed with equipment for the price of a moderately well-specified family hatchback.

How could we possibly refuse? To be honest, I can see the appeal. The Epica is a very large car with enough bulk about it to the very largest medium range family cars such as Fords Mondeo and Vauxhalls Insignia. There are two trim levels and even the basic LS versions have air-conditioning, cruise control, electric front windows, a CD stereo with an MP3 input socket, front fog lights, 16" alloy wheels, six airbags and powered mirrors. Thats not bad at all. The shape of the Epica is neat, albeit slightly unadventurous, and its possible to walk round the car without being able to spot a bad angle. The high haunches and sculpted flanks are reminiscent of Hondas latest Accord, in itself no bad thing.

Theres more Honda-like DNA when you move round to the back of the car and until most drivers clock that Chevrolet bow-tie badge and the Epica name, they may well assume its an Accord.

The Epica certainly is a lot of car, the tape measure showing it to be fully 4,805mm long. By way of comparison, an Accord is 4,665mm long, a Mondeo 4,731mm long and a Peugeot 407 breaking the tape at 4,676mm. In fact, the Epica is closer to the 4,841mm length of a BMW 5 Series than the current crop of family saloons and hatches. Inside, that exterior bulk translates into plenty of room.

The cabin offers ample leg room for four six-foot adults and the boot is enormous. The interior is quite well finished but the materials arent of the quality you get in the leading medium range models. The controls are simple to operate and theres no shortage of storage options. If youre not too bothered about ambiance and more concerned with lots of space and easy to use gadgets, the Epica could be ideal.

Two engines are offered for sale in the UK, both of 2.0-litre capacity. The petrol unit is a 141bhp straight-six which is set transversely across the car. This would be a problem with most straight sixes as they are, by their very nature, rather long engines and are usually mounted in line, driving the rear wheels.

The Epica is a front-wheel drive car, so the transverse mounting makes sense, but this configuration is assisted by an engine which Chevrolet claims is the shortest of its type in the world. Although technically intriguing, this powerplant looks set to play second fiddle in terms of domestic sales at least to the 148bhp common rail turbo diesel. The prospect of a six-cylinder saloon car for the kind of prices Chevrolet is asking will gain a few headlines but the diesel will be the big seller when it comes to the crunch. Its more expensive and only fractionally quicker with its 9.

7s 0-60mph time compared to the petrols 9.9s showing but on economy, the oil-burner has a decisive advantage. 46.3mpg compared to 34.

5mpg from the petrol will be enough to persuade many that the premium for diesel is worth it and theres a similar gap when it comes to emissions. On the road, the Epica is smooth and comfortable but it feels its size through the corners. The diesel engine can be a little vocal when pressed so the Epica is generally better suited to a more relaxed driving style.

The Epica costs from £13,595 for a petrol powered LS model. The plusher LT trim is only offered with the diesel engine and so costs substantially more at £16,595. That top specification does get you climate control, rear parking sensors, leather upholstery, heated front seats, rain sensing wipers, a CD autochanger, a trip computer, 17" alloys and electronic stability control. Phew!

The Epica from Chevrolet is a big car at a small price and that will be enough to convince many buyers. It doesnt have the same sophistication and quality feel as the leading medium range models but its equipment list is extensive and the car performs perfectly well on the road if driven in a relaxed fashion. Built in Korea to an American formula, the Epica should hold appeal for UK buyers.