New Chevrolet Aveo mini car more spacious, stylish

Matheos Viktor Messakh ,  The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Wed, 06/25/2008 6:42 PM  |  Sci-Tech

The New Chevrolet Aveo 1.5: (Courtessy of GMAWI)

Undeterred by skyrocketing fuel prices, General Motors Auto World Indonesia (GMAWI) launched Tuesday the new model of its Chevrolet Aveo 1.5.

The five-door hatchback is offered to small families and young people in the country after undergoing a transformation resulting in a more futuristic and modern looks inside as well as outside.

The new design is much needed as Aveo is competing head-to- head with hatchback kings Honda Jazz and Toyota Yaris.

First introduced at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show, the 2008 Aveo relies on its overall roominess as its chief advantage to create its own mark in the dense market.

"The goose neck interior design has brought 80 percent of change to the interior and provides a pleasure of huge legroom for passengers," GMAWI's communication manager Kiki Fajar told The Jakarta Post on Wednesday.

(Courtessy of GMAWI)

Front bucket seats are typical subcompact fare. Legroom is adequate and head room is good. A tilt steering wheel and folding, padded driver's armrest help to ensure the driver will find a suitable position.

Rear seats are even more comfortable than the front seats. Two adult will fit comfortably in the backseat if the folks in front do not slide their seats back far.

Head room is good and legroom decent if you don't have the front seats all the way back. Even with the front seats pushed far back, there is enough legroom for kids.

The driver's seat is height-adjustable allowing driver to set the seat. However, as it uses a dial instead of a lever, it can be hard to operate, especially with the driver sitting.

Sometimes also referred as mini multipurpose vehicle, Aveo has a 12.4 cubic feet of cargo space which will easily fit a week's worth of groceries or a couple of large suitcases.

(Courtessy of GMAWI)

Owners can get additional cargo space by folding the rear seat, split in 60:40. The double fold mechanism gives a larger, flat storage room in the back.

Interior storage is sparse. There are a few open bins and small map pockets.

Snacks and cell phones will fit into the pockets on the front doors, while foldable maps and whatever brochures can go into the ample glove box.

In addition, there are pockets on the back side of each seat, a sunglasses holder next to the driver's head, and a rear cupholder.

"Aveo is designed to meet the need of small family and dynamic, progressive young users," GMAWI's managing director Mukiat Sutikno told reporters during the launching at Senayan City shopping mall on Tuesday.

Aveo is powered by an inline 4-cylinder E-TEC II engine with a capacity of 1,498 cc producing top power of 84 horsepower at 5,600 revolutions per minute (rpm) and maximum torque of 128 Newton meter at 3,000 rpm.

The car has an average mileage of 10.3 kilometers per liter for city use. It is available in four-speed automatic and five- speed manual transmissions.

Designed and built by Korean automaker GM DAT (General Motors Daewoo Auto Technology), Aveo has a monocoque body with 41 percent high strength steel and side door impact beam at all doors providing the ability to damp the power of collision.

Other safety feature includes 3-point Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR) seatbelts for front and rear seats while passenger seating in the center of the rear seat has a 2-point ELR seat belt.

(Courtessy of GMAWI)

For passengers' convenience, the car comes with air conditioning, variable-speed wipers, AM/FM stereo radio, power central windows and door locks, electric remote with anti theft deterrent system, CD with four speakers integrated with theft deterrent system and iPod ready.

Aveo also comes with an engine immobilizer so the car cannot be started without its original key.

The automatic version is available at Rp 147 million (15,845) while the manual version is priced at 132 million. Both prices are inclusive papers and licenses in Jakarta.

The new Aveo is available in sport blue, super red, carbon flash metallic, highway yellow, urban gray and poly silver.

With a fair price, good fuel economy and pleasant interior and standard safety features, the car is more likely to get warm reception from Indonesian market.

"From 2003 to 2005 we have sold about 4,300 units of the previous model of Aveo in Indonesia. But we did not import the car in 2006 and 2007 as we wait for the new model," said Kiki.

"We believe that many consumers have been waiting for the new version of Aveo."

In addition to Yaris and Jazz, there are plenty other cars in the mini MPV segment. Also using 1,500cc engines are Nissan Livina XR and Suzuki Swift.

Meanwhile Daihatsu Sirion and Hyundai Getz are using smaller 1,300cc engines, Proton Savvy with a 1,200cc engine, KIA Picanto with a 1,100cc engine and Chery QQ uses a 800cc engine.

Meanwhile, Ford Focus Sporty and Audi A3 Sportsback come with larger 2,000cc engine.

In the premium segment, the hatchbacks are represented by BMW 116i and Mercedes Benz A150. (nvn)

Copyright © 2008 The Jakarta Post - PT Bina Media Tenggara. All Rights Reserved.