CHEVROLET

CHEVY WITHOUT THE LEVY Chevrolet’s little Aveo is an affordable way of buying into the American brand’s value for money ethos. We’ve been putting one to the test on our long term test fleet. Jonathan Crouch reports

The latest addition to our long term test fleet is one of the most interesting. Chevrolet’s Aveo aims to bring a dash of style and aggression to the budget end of the British supermini market, something it sorely needs. And in its first few weeks in our hands, the signs are encouraging.

Chevrolet knows a thing or two about superminis. Its first generation Aveo was, after all, one of North America’s best selling cars. We knew that car as the Kalos but now it too bears the Aveo name and carries with it high UK dealer hopes that some of the American sales magic will have rubbed off with the change of name. Of course, this model won’t be challenging the supermini market leaders here in terms of sales but it should develop a useful market niche for Chevrolet amongst those in search of a smart, sassy-looking small car offered at a more affordable price than most of its rivals. True, this model borrows much from the old Kalos, but you wouldn’t know that to look at an Aveo. "It looks quite smart", was my wife Katie’s opening comment, before she got on with the job of shoe-horning in a childseat, a booster cushion and a pushchair. When asked to guess at the car’s likely price, she suggested a figure of around £10,000. Not a bad try as it happens, but very wrong. Aveos start at just under £8,000. My test car doesn’t, unfortunately, but that’s only because I couldn’t resist the top of the range 1.4 five-door LT model. Mind you, that still only costs around £9,500 – the cost of a pretty bog standard version in other manufacturers’ supermini ranges. Chevrolet only offers petrol power with this car, a choice of an 84bhp 1.2-litre unit or the 100bhp 1.4-litre powerplant that I’m trying. The 1.2-litre will get to 60mph in 12.8 seconds and run on to a top speed of 106 mph. If this isn’t enough, the 1.4 is usefully quicker, topping out at 109mph and hitting 60 in 11 9 seconds. The 1.4-litre is a notably more complex engine, with four valves per cylinder and DCVP (Double Continuous Variable Cam Phase) that helps to boost torque at lower revs and power at higher engine speeds. Visibility out of the Aveo is very good, although larger drivers on our test team have found that the dashboard moulding intrudes on legroom a little. Both engines are decent units but the added motorway refinement of the 1.4-litre powerplant is what swung the balance for us when we were selecting our model for test.

"As a compromise between budget, ability and badge equity, this Chevrolet more than makes a case for itself.…."

With two engines and three and five door body styles to choose from, Aveo customers also benefit from a decent level of standard kit. "Plenty of car and equipment for a fair price" is part of Chevrolet’s corporate philosophy and the entry-level Aveo adheres to that maxim with driver and passenger airbags, an MP3-compatible CD stereo and wipers with intermittent facility. Plusher trim levels add tinted glass and electric front windows. Options (most of which we’ve gone for on our test car) include 15-inch aluminium wheels, leather trim for the steering wheel and gear knob, an onboard computer, steering wheel-mounted audio controls and automatic climate control. I’d say that the interior lacks the self-assurance of the exterior and, rather inevitably in this corner of the market, feels somewhat built down to a price. The same can be said of some of the Aveo’s key rivals though and Chevrolet has specified and trimmed the interior wisely, giving it a sensible equipment count, fairly decent materials and as much space and versatility as the design constraints allow. It’s not the biggest car in its sector, but the compact torsion beam rear suspension means that there’s plenty of useable room in the back. The Aveo campaigns on the basis of solid value for money, so it’s no great surprise to hear that running costs are screwed tightly down. It might surprise you that there’s no diesel model, given that the GM group has some great diesel engines at its disposal, but it would be tough to make the additional cost of a diesel version worthwhile to the typically hard-headed Aveo customer. As it stands, the 1.2-litre model will return 51.7mpg which is good and emit 132g/km of carbon dioxide. The 1.4-litre variant we’ve got, on the other hand, sups at a rate of 44.4mpg (a figure we’ve managed to nearly replicate), with CO2 emissions of 142g/km. Depreciation is key to the running costs of a car like this, though in the Aveo’s case, it’s too early to say exactly how things will pan out. It’s likely to be around the class average. Buyers recognise good value when they see it and the Chevrolet badge carries a little more brand equity than many other budget brands. You also get very cheap insurance, ranging from Group 3 to Group 5. True, the Aveo is an evolutionary rather than revolutionary car. But if evolution equates to affordability, then many budget-minded supermini buyers will happily take it. As a compromise between budget, ability and badge equity, this Chevrolet more than makes a case for itself. Sure, there are more cutting edge superminis you could buy (though few that look smarter). But they all cost substantially more. Wouldn’t it make more sense to buy an Aveo, enjoy the envious glances and spend the difference on something practical like an extra secondhand runabout for the family perhaps? I know which I’d rather……

Facts At A Glance CAR: Chevrolet Aveo range PRICES: £7,535-£9,346 – on the road INSURANCE GROUPS: 4 CO2 EMISSIONS: 132-140g/km PERFORMANCE: [1.4] 0-60mph 11.9s Max Speed 109mph FUEL CONSUMPTION: [1.4] 47.9mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: twin front airbags, ABS WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: [5dr] length/width/height 3920/1680/1505mm

PRACTICAL MAGIC We’ve been putting our long term Chevrolet Aveo supermini through the family mill. Jonathan Crouch – and family – report….

"It makes a statement doesn’t it?" My wife was looking thoughtfully at the front of our Chevrolet Aveo long term test car. This little supermini has been her staple transport for the last few weeks and the more aggressive styling has clearly made its mark.

Fortunately, there’s more to this car than just a bold front end. It’s the replacement for the marque’s moderately successful Kalos, reprising a lot of the old themes but in a package that’s been brought thoroughly up to date. Our use for the car has been fairly typical, with three small children of 10, 7 and 2 being ferried from school to ballet class to parties and on again to goodness knows where. I’ve already made a mental note to apologise to Chevrolet when the car is returned to them: the carpets are usually covered in a fine residue of biscuit crumbs and sticky marks, while discarded Mcdonalds toys and half-eaten chips litter the area under the seats. But then, such is the daily grind for family transport. I haven’t seen too many other Aveos on the market – but I suppose that’s only because I live in the UK. Over in North American, this is one of the continent’s best selling cars. In Britain, Aveos start at just over £7,500, or at least some of them do. My test car retails at a little more, but that’s only because I couldn’t resist the top of the range 1.4 five-door LT model. Mind you, that still only costs around £9,500 – the cost of a pretty bog standard version in other manufacturers’ supermini ranges. Chevrolet only offers petrol power with this car, a choice of an 84bhp 1.2-litre unit or the 100bhp 1.4-litre powerplant that I’m trying. The 1.2-litre will get to 60mph in 12.8 seconds and run on to a top speed of 106 mph. If this isn’t enough, the 1.4 is usefully quicker, topping out at 109mph and hitting 60 in 11 9 seconds. The 1.4-litre is a notably more complex engine, with four valves per cylinder and DCVP (Double Continuous Variable Cam Phase) that helps to boost torque at lower revs and power at higher engine speeds. Visibility out of the Aveo is very good, although larger drivers on our test team have found that the dashboard moulding intrudes on legroom a little. Both engines are decent units but the added motorway refinement of the 1.4-litre powerplant is what swung the balance for us when we were selecting our model for test.

"The carpets are usually covered in a fine residue of biscuit crumbs and sticky marks. But then, such is the daily grind for family transport"

Not that the Crouch family were interested in all this detail. They were more bothered about the performance of the surprisingly good standard-fit stereo (very satisfying for a loud rendition of ‘With Love From Me To You’ – they’re into the Beatles at present). My wife wasn’t hugely gripped by the performance of the 1.4-litre engine but she loved the regular 48mpg return at the pumps. The interior trim and plastics didn’t look that impressive at first glance but they did prove easy to wipe clean – which is far more important. There’s nothing fussy about the detailing with the designers obviously preferring to keep things solid and chunky, two themes that are echoed on the inside of the vehicle. Space is definitely a key asset for the Aveo. There’s plenty of room in the back for two six-foot adults and even if they were joined by a third passenger of similar dimensions, the squeeze wouldn’t be unbearable on long trips. The boot too is remarkably large, harbouring more than enough capacity for one of my wife’s regular really expensive trips to Tesco. Some might find the cabin a touch bland in terms of decor and design, especially at a time when rival family hatchback manufacturers have given their design departments free reign to dream up all manner of outlandish interior features. Luminous plastics, gaudy colours and curvaceous facias have been left on the drawing board, the Aveo instead keeping it simple. Some will like the look, some won’t but the build quality is better than you might expect for the money. The main thing is that it all works and even a driver who is new to the vehicle should be able to locate the control they want almost instantly. This was certainly the case when my wife sat herself behind the wheel. She found that the driving position was excellent and that there was good scope for adjustment so that passengers of varying shapes and sizes had no problem getting comfortable. She reported that when fiddling with the seat position, it was best to have the door open as the controls are difficult to get at once you’ve shut yourself into the car. She awarded plus points to the leather-covered steering wheel ("which has a nice feel to it") and the positioning of the gear lever ("perfectly placed quite high on your left side"). With two engines and three and five door body styles to choose from, Aveo customers also benefit from a decent level of standard kit. "Plenty of car and equipment for a fair price" is part of Chevrolet’s corporate philosophy and the entry-level Aveo adheres to that maxim with driver and passenger airbags, an MP3-compatible CD stereo and wipers with intermittent facility. Plusher trim levels add tinted glass and electric front windows. Options (most of which we’ve gone for on our test car) include 15-inch aluminium wheels, leather trim for the steering wheel and gear knob, an onboard computer, steering wheel-mounted audio controls and automatic climate control. Depreciation is key to the running costs of a car like this, though in the Aveo’s case, it’s too early to say exactly how things will pan out. It’s likely to be around the class average. Buyers recognise good value when they see it and the Chevrolet badge carries a little more brand equity than many other budget brands. You also get very cheap insurance, ranging from Group 3 to Group 5. True, the Aveo is an evolutionary rather than revolutionary car. But if evolution equates to affordability, then many budget-minded supermini buyers will happily take it. As a compromise between budget, ability and badge equity, this Chevrolet more than makes a case for itself. Overall, our test reinforced Chevrolet’s assertion that the Aveo is an overwhelmingly sensible supermini choice that also has a dose of attitude - a welcome thing at this price point. Now all I’ve got to do is to clear out all those crushed crisps and sweet wrappers before Chevrolet come to collect it…..

Facts At A Glance CAR: Chevrolet Aveo range PRICES: £7,535-£9,346 – on the road INSURANCE GROUP: 4 CO2 EMISSIONS: 132-140g/km PERFORMANCE: [1.4] 0-60mph 11.9s Max Speed 109mph FUEL CONSUMPTION: [1.4] 47.9mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: twin front airbags, ABS WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: [5dr] length/width/height 3920/1680/1505mm

CHEV HA’PENNY Chevrolet is developing a reputation for some very good, very inexpensive cars. The Aveo doesn’t set too many new benchmarks but nevertheless puts in a very solid performance. Andy Enright reports

By most accepted measures, the Chevrolet Aveo is not a remarkable car. It is, however, an important one in opening up new markets for the American giant. Solidly built and attractively styled, it’s a decent car, albeit one that inherits a good deal of its engineering from its Kalos predecessor.

The bait and switch tactic is an established manufacturer ruse for getting journalists behind the wheels of their less exciting models and is alive and well in 2008. Invited to drive the latest Corvette at Circuit Paul Ricard, those who signed up actually found themselves spending considerably more seat time behind the wheel of the rather more upstanding Chevrolet Aveo. Normally this would prove somewhat annoying, but it didn’t take too long to figure out that the Aveo was by far the more important car. Here’s why. Although the Corvette is an aspirational halo model, the Aveo earns the corn that allows GM to go racing Corvettes in FIA GT events around the world. It sells massively in Eastern Europe and looks set to improve its performance further west. Put simply, it’s the most important model that Chevrolet makes and one that we couldn’t ignore for the sake of a few tyre smoking laps at Paul Ricard. After driving 430bhp worth of ‘Vette, it would be easy to find 84bhp worth of Chevrolet Aveo rather underwhelming. The 1.2-litre version sampled first is the entry-level model and these normally act as a decent barometer of a car’s basic worth. If you’ve ever driven a Chevrolet Kalos, there won’t be too many surprises here. The driving position is very similar, the handling and ride feel much the same and the steering is still rather light. While this means that it’s not the most tactile car to bully along a Provencal hill route, it means it’s great in the city. The 1.2-litre will get to 60mph in 12.8 seconds and run on to a top speed of 106 mph. If this isn’t enough, go for the 1.4-litre lump with 100bhp. This is usefully quicker, topping out at 109mph and hitting 60 in 11 9 seconds. The 1.4-litre is a notably more complex engine, with four valves per cylinder and DCVP (Double Continuous Variable Cam Phase) that helps to boost torque at lower revs and power at higher engine speeds. Visibility out of the Aveo is very good, although larger drivers may find that the dashboard moulding intrudes on legroom a little. Both engines are decent units but the added motorway refinement of the 1.4-litre powerplant would swing the balance for us.

"The Aveo campaigns on the basis of solid value for money…."

As makeovers go, the Aveo is one of the cleverest we’ve seen. In profile it doesn’t look too much different to the Kalos, the five-door car’s rather odd drooping swage line being instantly familiar. Move round to the front and the impression is utterly different. The Kalos’ rather unhappy looking face has been replaced with something a whole lot bolder. The upswept headlamps and enormous double grille are punctuated by a serious Chevy cross logo. It’s got about twice as much attitude as any other small car you could care to mention. The three-door model is even smarter, with the flanks being sculpted to incorporate pronounced flared rear wheel arches. At the back, there’s one of the neatest rear lights clusters around. The interior lacks the self-assurance of the exterior and, rather inevitably in this corner of the market, feels somewhat built down to a price. The same can be said of the Aveo’s key rivals though and Chevrolet has specified and trimmed the interior wisely, giving it a sensible equipment count, fairly decent materials and as much space and versatility as the design constraints allow. It’s not the biggest car in its sector, but the compact torsion beam rear suspension means that there’s plenty of useable room in the back. With two engines and three and five door body styles to choose from, Aveo customers also benefit from a decent level of standard kit. "Plenty of car and equipment for a fair price" is part of Chevrolet’s corporate philosophy and the entry-level Aveo adheres to that maxim with driver and passenger airbags, an MP3-compatible CD stereo and wipers with intermittent facility. Plusher trim levels add tinted glass and electric front windows. Options include 15-inch aluminium wheels, leather trim for the steering wheel and gear knob, an onboard computer, steering wheel-mounted audio controls and automatic climate control. The Aveo’s biggest markets to date have been Spain and the Ukraine, followed by Russia. Italy is in fourth place, followed by Germany. More than 90 per cent of these sales go to the five-door car and statistics show that in Western Europe, the Aveo is usually a second car whereas in Central and Eastern Europe it’s usually the family’s sole vehicle. The Aveo campaigns on the basis of solid value for money, so it’s no great surprise to hear that prices start from just over £7,500 and that running costs are screwed tightly down. It might surprise you that there’s no diesel model, given that the GM group has some great diesel engines at its disposal, but it would be tough to make the additional cost of a diesel version worthwhile to the typically hard-headed Aveo customer. As it stands, the 1.2-litre model will return 51.4mpg which is good and emit 132g/km of carbon dioxide which is not quite so stellar. The 1.4-litre variant, on the other hand, sups at a rate of 44.9mpg with CO2 emissions of 140g/km. Depreciation is likely to be around the class average. Buyers recognise good value when they see it and the Chevrolet badge carries a little more brand equity than many other budget brands, but by the same token the Aveo, despite its bold styling, remains an evolutionary, rather than revolutionary, step forward. After all, the underpinnings date back to the introduction of the Kalos model back in 2002, so this is by no means a state of the art platform. Three years or so down the road, that’s going to be reflected in the used valuations. One consolation is very cheap insurance with all Aveo models falling in the group 4 bracket. Strip away the marketing flim-flam, the clever artifice of the stylists and the relentlessly on-message branding and the Chevrolet Aveo is, at heart, a mild evolution of the old Kalos model. While this might seem a little underwhelming, it gives the car a number of key advantages. The first is that it was only the Kalos’ bloodhound styling that really prevented it being a top drawer product. Now that’s fixed, the Aveo has a far better chance. The second reason is that precisely because it is fundamentally rather old, it will prove even more profitable for Chevrolet. The costs for this car have largely long been sunk and enable the Aveo to be priced aggressively, especially in the key eastern European markets. Does any of this make it a relevant car to British buyers? If you’re at all style-conscious, there are probably smarter options but not at these prices. As a compromise between budget, ability and badge equity, the Aveo more than makes a case for itself.

Facts At A Glance CAR: Chevrolet Aveo range PRICES: £7,535-£9,346 – on the road INSURANCE GROUP: 4 CO2 EMISSIONS: 132-140g/km PERFORMANCE: [1.4] 0-60mph 11.9s Max Speed 109mph FUEL CONSUMPTION: [1.4] 47.9mpg STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: twin front airbags, ABS WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: [5dr] length/width/height 3920/1680/1505mm