Captiva brags with many new goodies

Far more than facial cosmetic flattering or an over-40 boob job, tummy tuck, or reducing the chairman's love-handles.

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Already a good value for money proposition with its spacious cabin, multi-seat capacity and handsome city-and-country cross-over looks, the revamped Captiva is sure to maintain its 2011 sales average of about 167 vehicles a month.

For this make-over is far more than facial cosmetic flattering or an over-40 boob job, tummy tuck, or reducing the chairman's love-handles.

To drive the new range we flew to Upington Airport which has the distinction of having the longest runway in Africa. At nearly five kilometres long it was built as an emergency landing strip for American space craft and forward launch pad for the South African Air Force during the bush war years.

Now it is sparsely used by only a few commercial and private flights a day so it is also serves as a perfect playground for occasional high-speed car games.

Highlighting speed, performance and dynamic abilities

Chevrolet used it to highlight the speed, performance and dynamic abilities of its shiny new Captiva models and it was great fun, because its not ever day that one can (legally) travel at speeds of 170 + km/h and fling cars through a slalom at silly speed on a stretch of tarmac that has more safe run-off area than a Formula One racetrack.

Suitably impressed by the performance and surprisingly good roadholding and handling of the revamped Captiva, we headed for the open road and a two-day tour of the area, including the spectacular Augrabies Falls, with lots of road and time to get to know the 2011 version of Chevrolet's challenge to the Subaru Forester and Honda CR-V.

In this company the Captiva is more than man enough to stand up to and even beat both Japanese competitors in a number of categories.

For a start, the new Captiva range includes a three-litre engine which neither of the other two offers and, price-wise it is a competitive must for a buying decision test drive.

More than man enough to stand up to and even beat both Japanese competitors in a number of categories.

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For the first time Captiva now offers a choice between a 2.4 litre in-line four-cylinder petrol engine and a 3.0 litre V6 direct injection petrol engine.

Specifications vary, with the 2.4 litre engine mated to a six-speed manual transmission and the all-wheel drive version to either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission.

The 2.4 engine produces 123 kW and 230 Nm which gives it a 0-100 km/h time of 10.5 seconds and a top speed of 190 km/h. Driven sedately, the combined cycle fuel consumption should be in the region of 8.8 l/100 km (manual transmission).

The all-new 3.0 litre V6 engine is the first Captiva to be equipped with direct fuel injection technology. It churns out 190 kW and 288 Nm to give it a 0-100km/h dash time of 8.6 seconds and a top speed of 198 km/h. Combined cycle fuel consumption is stated as 10.6 l/100km.

Six-speed automatic transmission

Together with these latest generation engines comes an all-new six-speed automatic transmission, standard on the Captiva 3.0 LTZ and optional on the 2.4 LT FWD. It can be left alone to do its own thing or the driver can change gears manually.

Although Chevrolet says their vehicles are capable off-roaders we couldn't put that to the test during the media launch. But on the tar and gravel the auto shift did its job admirably without irritating searches for the right cog.

A six-speed manual transmission is available on the Captiva 2.4 LT FWD and AWD models. While we found the auto box smooth and pleasant, the manual felt a tad sticky and lumpish, but that could be because the vehicles we drove were virtually out of the box.

On All-Wheel-Drive (AWD) models power is transmitted via an on-demand four-wheel drive system which uses front-wheel drive in normal driving conditions and switches to four-wheel drive when more grip is required.

System makes parking easy and at cruising speed it has a pleasantly weighted feel.

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When the system senses more than 14% loss of traction at the front wheels it will start to split power transmission between the front and the back wheels. This split is automatically regulated up to a 50:50 ratio front to back. In addition to wheel spin, the system also senses engine speed, vehicle speed, yaw angle and steering angle.

The power steering is electronically controlled and speed sensitive for better driving feel and reduced steering effort. The Captiva is not a small vehicle but the system makes parking easy and at cruising speed it has a pleasantly weighted feel.

There are many other improvements to the range, too many to discuss in detail, but check out the full specification list below for a good overview of the Captiva's pedigree.

Standard equipment for the Captiva 2.4 LT FWD and AWD specification level includes:

• 2.4 litre 4-cylinder fuel-injected petrol engine with maximum power of 123 kW and maximum torque of 230 Nm.
  
• 7.0JX17 inch alloy wheels fitted with 235/60 R17 tyres (full size spare included). On the Captiva 2.4LT AWD model wheels are 7.0JX18 alloy fitted with 235/55 R18 tyres.
  
• Colour coded bumpers, door handles and side mirrors.
  
• Side steps.
  
• Electric remote mirrors with heating and turn signal.
  
• Front fog lamps.
  
• Satin silver roof rails.
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• Power steering.
  
• Multi-function controls on steering wheel.
  
• Reach adjustment for steering wheel.
  
• Height adjustment for steering wheel.
  
• Height adjustable driver's seat.
  
• Woven cloth seat covers.
  
• Manual air conditioning.
  
• Power windows front and rear.
  
• Cup holders front and rear.
  
• Radio/6-CD combination with 8 speakers. Includes MP3 compatibility, auxiliary socket, Bluetooth, USB port.
  
• ABS with EBD and Brake Assist.
  
• Electronic stability programme (ESP).
  
• Traction control.
  
• Hill descent control.
  
• Hill-start assist.
  
• Driver and passenger front dual-stage airbags and curtain side airbags.
  
• Airbag de-activation switch.
  
• Isofix child seat attachments.
  
• Car alarm and immobiliser system.
  
• Remote central locking with motion auto-lock.
  
• Opening glass window in tailgate.
  
• Tinted windows all round.

The LTZ specification adds the following items:

• 3.0 litre direct injection V6 petrol engine with maximum power of 190 kW and peak torque of 288 Nm.
  
• 19 inch alloy wheels fitted with 235/50 R19 tyres.
  
• Chrome door handles.
  
• Remote heated side mirrors with power fold-away feature.
  
• Climate control air conditioning.
  
• Leather steering wheel cover and gear lever cover.
  
• Leather seat covers and door trims.
  
• 8-way power adjustable driver's seat.
  
• Rain sensing automatic windscreen wipers.
  
• Cruise control.
  
• Automatic anti-dazzle rear view mirror.
  
• Sun visors with illuminated mirror.
  
• Driver and passenger front and side airbags and roof curtain airbags.
  
• Remote keyless entry with power locks for all doors, fuel filler, and flip up tailgate glass.

Dollied up with a more prominent bow tie badge.

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But all the fancy kit aside, where the rejuvenated Captiva grabs attention immediately is in the looks department now that it has been dollied up with a more prominent bow tie badge, a re-designed grille with black honeycomb inserts and chrome surrounds, new headlamp clusters, an attractively slanting windscreen and a sleeker roofline.

The living quarters are now also more driver-friendly after Chevrolet jiggled around the switches and gauges on the dash, jazzed up the ventilation system, made seat adjustments quicker and easier, and fitted all the models with a six-CD front-loading stem with eight speakers and a radio/CD combination with MP3 compatibility, Bluetooth connectivity, and auxiliary input.

The analogue instrument cluster has also been tweaked to make it look prettier, particularly now that it is lit up by Chevrolet's all-new signature Ice Blue lighting already in use on the Chevrolet Cruze and Spark.

The new Captiva also sits more comfortably on the road (and in the rough) thanks to enhancements to the chassis and suspension.

Clearly much effort has gone into reducing intrusive noises through the use of hydraulic engine mounts (which cut down noise and vibrations), revising the air inlets and retuning the exhaust system for better flows and less noise.

The quieter ride

Captiva range, pleasantly comfortable and upmarket feel.

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In addition, an isolator matt has been fitted to the front dash panel area which, along with other noise reduction measures such as the adoption of a laminated windscreen, improved door seals, and sound-deadening material used in other areas to reduce noise transmission between the passenger and cargo area, has considerable reduced decibel levels.

The quieter ride was a feature we picked up virtually from the word go and it gives the entire Captiva range a pleasantly comfortable and upmarket feel.

The new 3.0-litre engine is sure to become hugely popular, even when the diesel-engine model arrives in the not too distant future. Although the 2.4 engine is far from dopey, the bigger engine gives Captiva the solid power boost the market has been asking for.

The new engines, plus the extra features, added refinement and prettier looks of the Captiva gives new meaning to the old Chev jingle of years ago: "Braaivleis, rugby, sunny skies and Chevrolet."

The models and prices of the new Captiva are:

• 2.4LT FWD MT - R299 900
  
• 2.4LT FWD AT - R314 700
  
• 2.4LT AWD MT - R341 200
  
• 3.0LTZ AWD AT - R434 900

Prices include a three-year/60 000 km service plan and a five-year/120 000 km warranty and roadside assistance.