Chevrolet Kalos Three Door : THREE-STYLER

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Is the three-door Chevrolet Kalos more than just, well, a three-door version of the Kalos? Jonathan Crouch decides.

Perhaps its fitting that Chevrolets future in the UK started with the Three-Door Kalos supermini we test here. It should have launched in 2004 but after an initial viewing, management decided that it lacked that special something. The Chevy Plus it now has.

You get an idea of what that means the first time you set eyes on the car expecting it to be little more than a Kalos Five-Door with two fewer doors. In one sense of course, its exactly that but put the two versions side by side and its almost like comparing you with your parents. The same DNA, the same look and feel but in one case, a younger, more get-up-and-go attitude. You have to look quite closely to see why that is, since the styling difference isnt down to any one feature.

Theres a different side profile of course, with completely new doors incorporating an upwardly sloping waistline and side rubbing strip. Theres also new rear wheel arch profiling. But look carefully and youll also note changes front and rear: a revised, sculpted rear bumper, a more aggressive apron under the front numberplate. Both could have come from a bodykit catalogue. Talking of bodykits, theres a more aggressive one on the Sport version of this car, along with a free flow exhaust and some nice Sport alloy wheels. Unfortunately, this variant doesnt offer anything more than the standard 94bhp 1.

4-litre engine. Which is a pity since other European markets get a proper turbocharged Sprint model which apparently cant be engineered for right hand drive. Only one Kalos three-door model is currently on offer the £7,295 1.2S.

Features such as power steering and central locking make this a low-hassle car. The steering column tilts through a generous range of adjustment and the front seat belts can be adjusted for height. With punchy anti-lock brakes and dual front airbags fitted as standard along with height adjustable headrests, clear side indicators and rear coat hooks, this Kalos certainly doesnt feel built down to a price.

"The Kalos Three-Door certainly has a younger, more dynamic image more in keeping with the Chevrolet brand"

As youd expect, the three-Door is of course a car of very compact dimensions (length/width/height 3880/1670/1495mm) yet like the five-Door, it boasts one of the longest wheelbases (2480mm) in the supermini class. That means an interior thats a great deal more spacious than you might expect. The front headroom (955mm) is class-leading, as is rear legroom (900mm). For rear seat passengers to enter and leave the vehicle, the front passenger seat can be folded forward with only one hand before clicking back into its initial position.

Storage space inside is pretty good. Drink cans and cups are held in place in fold-out cupholders on the centre console or in recesses at the end of the central transmission tunnel. To improve the drivers view, the top of the rear head restraints have been flattened, while the back of the front head rests are fitted with hooks to keep small shopping bags securely in place. Standard equipment includes a 70/30 split folding backrest.

If you take advantage of this, the rear seat can be folded up and fixed into place behind the front seats using a special belt attached to the passenger seat headrest. This frees up 980 litres of cargo space, while with all the seats in place, theres still a reasonable 220 litres. The payload is 430kgs, so the storage space can usually be used to the full. Gripes? Well, theres plenty of elephant grey plastic in evidence which can feel a bit down-market.

Mind you, it all feels pretty well screwed together. On the road, it wont be the most exciting driving experience youve ever had but then what would you expect for £7,000? The 1.2-litre models 72bhp is good enough to punt the car to sixty from rest in 13.2s on the way to 98mph, but more importantly, you should achieve nearly 43mpg, according to combined cycle official fuel figures.

Safety is well catered for with three-point belts on all five seats and ISOFIX anchorage points for a child seat in the back. Otherwise expect to find power assisted steering, height/tilt adjustable headrests, clear side repeaters, coat hooks in the back, central locking with an alarm, electric front windows, cup holders front and rear, an auxiliary power outlet and a tilt adjustable steering column. Its hard to over-estimate the importance of this car in the Chevrolet line-up. Particularly when it comes to Kalos sales.

Three-door models do, after all, make up 40% of the supermini sector, yet without one, this car was already a significant player. Badged as the Aveo, its actually the best selling small car in the US. Similar accolades are out of the question in Europe of course and in any case, Chevrolet wont get close to them until its diesel engines come on stream later in 2006. Much is made of this lack in Britain but in actual fact, the premium for diesel power isnt really worth paying unless you do over 20,000 miles a year, a distance most supermini buyers simply dont cover.

In summary then, it was well worth Chevrolet spending the time and getting this car right. Their description of coupe-like might be an exaggeration but it certainly has a younger, more dynamic image more in keeping with the Chevrolet brand. More will be expected in the future but this is certainly a good start.

FACTS AT A GLANCE

CAR: Chevrolet Kalos Three-Door
PRICE: £7,295 on the road
INSURANCE GROUP: 3
CO2 EMISSIONS: 153g/km
PERFORMANCE: Max Speed 98mph / 0-60mph 13.7s
FUEL CONSUMPTION: (urban) 33.2mpg/ (extra urban) 54.3mpg/ (combined) 44.1mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front airbags, ABS with EBD, Isofix child seats.
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height, 3880/1670/1495mm