Chevrolet LACETTI SALOON 1.6 SX
Chevrolets 1.6-Litre Lacetti Saloon Offers a Lot Of Car For £10,500. Andy Enright Reports
All the car you need. Plus its a Chevy. At least the sticker on the back window summed up what this 1.6-litre Lacetti Saloon was all about.
This is hardly a technologically cutting edge family four-door but at just £10,495, you dont really need it to be.
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Manufactured in South Korea, the 1.6-litre engine is a generation on from some of the other wheezing lumps weve seen in cars from this continent. This sixteen-valve unit features twin overhead camshafts and a variable length intake manifold to guarantee a broad spread of torque. Subjectively, it feels like a decent 1.
8-litre unit and the Lacetti Saloons ability to sprint through 60mph in 10.3 seconds is very similar to that of other Focus-sized 1.8i saloons, thus backing up the suspicion. Top speed is a very creditable 116mph and the average fuel economy figure of 39.
8mpg isnt going to break the bank. Styling-wise,
Chevrolet claim the Lacetti Saloon is a synthesis of Pininfarinas experience in creating dynamic yet elegant forms. Wed call it a quietly good-looking family car. Some of the styling touches, especially around the rear three-quarter, are reminiscent of the current Vectra, although Chevrolets traditional grille and the big headlamps give it a distinctive look.
Next to the cabin. In the past, Korean cars have become synonymous with acres of shiny grey plastic, cheap componentry and a significant style blind spot. Although the Lacetti Saloon isnt about to win any awards, its no embarrassment. A light metallic look for the centre console and overlapping fascia dials hint at a touch of design flair although theres not the same feeling of solidity inherent in a
Skoda.
Nevertheless its a welcome progression from the old Daewoos that used to roll out of the same factory. On to the driving experience. Fortunately, the Lacetti Saloons suspension has been set up in tune with European requirements. Heavily disguised test mules bashed the UKs highways and byways for thousands of miles in order to optimise the damper, spring, bush and anti-roll bar settings as well as the steering feel.
The UK set up is more suitable for high-speed motorway driving as well and body roll has been reduced when cornering. Andy Carroll, Managing Director of Chevrolet UK, highlights the culture gap. "Korean drivers prefer a softer ride. We know that Europeans prefer a sportier feel with more precise steering and firmer suspension."
"It offers punchy performance, an attractive price, keen equipment levels, a neatly styled exterior and quick-witted handling. "
The power steering system has, as a result, been thoroughly revised with a tougher torsion bar and a beefier pump tuned to give more feedback. Wafting through downtown Seoul may be one thing, but when youre in the cut and thrust of a UK city, you need a bit of information coming back through the wheel and the
seat of your pants. Piloting a soggy South-East Asian hovercraft around just doesnt ring our collective bells. Therefore we get firmer damping to cut out bounce, stiffer springs and a bigger gauge anti-roll bar.
The independent rear suspension system gives the Lacetti Saloon a distinctly agile feel. Tyres were also an integral part of the equation and the Lacetti Saloons tyres feature a stiff sidewall to complement the sportier suspension. Equipment levels have to be good to give the Lacetti any real chance against cheap Far Eastern brands and by and large they are. All buyers can expect to find air conditioning, electric mirrors, ABS, four airbags, central locking and electric front windows, If you want more and can stretch to £11,995, theres a 1.
8-litre CDX model that includes a five-disc CD change with remote steering wheel controls, speed-sensitive power steering, fog lamps and rain sensitive wipers. At this level, you can also opt to pay a £1,000 premium for a four-speed ZF automatic gearbox. Alternatively, if you want to stick to 1.6-litre power but want the versatility of a five-door Hatch or a Station Wagon estate, both are available at £10,495 or £10,995 respectively.
Like any Chevrolet, the Lacetti comes with a comprehensive after-sales package that comprises a 3 year/60,000 mile warranty and free servicing arrangement and a three year AA Total Recovery package is also part of the deal.. Whats more, all of these benefits are transferable to the subsequent owner which should help plump up short term resale values. Chevrolet currently sells in over ninety countries worldwide, one reason why the marque builds one car every seven seconds.
In fact, one car in every sixteen sold worldwide is a Chevrolet and over 175 million of them have been sold to date. This hasnt stopped the brand from struggling somewhat in recent times but now, with a more sustainable long-term plan in place, the marque looks healthier than ever. Targeted products that are right for key markets have replaced their old one size fits all philosophy. The Lacetti Saloon 1.
6SX offers punchy performance, an attractive price, keen equipment levels, a neatly styled exterior and quick-witted handling. How can it possibly fail? One suspects that the real issue here is one of public awareness. Nows your opportunity to get in quick, thus arming yourself with a whole heap of told-you-so.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: Chevrolet Lacetti Saloon 1.6 SX
PRICE: £10,495 - on the road
INSURANCE GROUP: 7
CO2 EMISSIONS: 178g/km
PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph - 10.8s / Max Speed - 116mph [est]
FUEL CONSUMPTION: (combined) 39.8mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front and side airbags, anti-lock brakes WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE ?: Length/Width/Height mm 4500 / 1725 / 1445
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