Chevrolet bakkie oozes class... in all but name

The new Chevy enters the market with a range of seven derivatives powered by either 1.4-litre or 1.8-litre petrol engines - and a 1.3 diesel might be in the offing.

It's a huge ask of the new small Chevy because the Corsa has been the top seller in the sub-one ton segment of the market for an incredible 79 months in a row. Since its launch in 1997 more than 180 000 of them were sold in this country and it won numerous awards for quality and client satisfaction.

But GMSA has pulled out all the stops and have come up with a worthy successor (and another winner!) in the shape of the new Chevrolet Utility - not only in the looks department but also in terms of performance, fuel economy, lowered emissions, comfort, cabin ambience, safety, connectivity technology and sound system.

The new Chevy enters the market with a range of seven derivatives powered by either 1.4-litre or 1.8-litre petrol engines carried over from the Corsa but tweaked with extensive hardware and electronic upgrades. (A 1.3-litre diesel could also be on its way later if the little birdie's whisper in my ear is to be believed)

The 1.4-litre engine is available in Base, Base AC, Club, and Sport specification levels. The 8-valve, single overhead camshaft, four-cylinder 1.4-litre engine has been boosted by a small jump in power and torque to 68 kW and 120 Nm which makes the 1.4 Base derivative the most powerful entry level vehicle in this segment. With a claimed fuel consumption figure of 7.2-l/100km it also becomes the most fuel efficient in this segment.

Most powerful, most fuel-efficient

In its latest form the 1.4-litre engine fitted to the entry level models in the range allow the Chevrolet Utility 1.4 Base to boast of being the most powerful entry level vehicle in its segment. With fuel consumption of 7.2- l/100km for the combined cycle the 1.4 Base model can also claim to be the most fuel efficient in its segment.

The 1.4 model choices and prices are: 1.4 Base - R115 600, 1.4 Base AC - R123 600, 1.4 Club - R136 000 and the1.4 Sport -R161 000.

Let's face it, this (in this case the 1.8 Club) is something any surfie will drool over.

At the Media launch I drove the Base AC model from St Francis Bay to Port Elizabeth and it certainly felt peppy enough even up hills and in fairly strong cross winds. However, to get maximum kick out of the engine requires fairly high revs which could take its toll in terms of fuel efficiency, particularly if carrying a load, which our vehicle wasn't.

The 1.8-litre engine is available in Base AC, Club, and Sport specification levels, all fitted with the same 8-valve single overhead camshaft, four cylinder unit that produces 77 kW and 161 Nm making it the most potent in this class.

Like its smaller-engined sibling it also comes with a five-speed manual transmission which, in a way, is a bit of the pity for although I am not a huge fan of six-speed boxes, the Sport, in particular, felt as though it would benefit from an extra cog. I think this is particularly so as this is the one model most likely to be used as a commuter and plaything rather than a workhorse.

GMSA says fuel consumption of 8.1-litre/100km is attainable in the combined cycle. This might well be but its sporty nature lends itself to more spirited driving than the smaller 1.4-litre bakkies and it's also a fairly rev-hungry little fellow which is not good news for fuel consumption.

It just cruises along

I drove the bigger Sport model on lovely winding coastal stretches down to St Francis Bay and long stretches of motorway and its willingness to gallop was pure pleasure. The engine never once felt even slightly strained, in spite of the fact that we were pedalling along in heavy fine speed zones.

The 1.8 models and prices are the 1.8 Club costing R148 500 and the1.8 Sport priced at R173 500.

There are a number of standard features which immediately impress right across the range. The Utility certainly looks all modern and jived up with a completely new front which brags with the same bold design features as the Chevrolet Cruze.

The ride is quite superb and if you close your eyes you could well be travelling in a small sedan. The cabin is quiet and really comfortable with seats that are much easier on the back, bottom and legs than the outgoing Corsa. Behind the seats there now also is more than enough space for luggage. We were two up and both our cabin-size travel suitcases fitted in with ease, leaving plenty of room to slide seats forwards or backwards.

The Club versions also brag with fancies such as aircon, auto headlights, lead me to the car headlights, a six-speaker audio system with radio/CD player, RDS, MP3, Auxiliary input, USB port and Blue tooth.

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The dash is not only fresh and nifty looking with its attractive mix of digital and analogue gauges, it also sounds and feels solid. Even the base specification level is decked out with body colour bumpers, protective moulding on the load box, tie-down hoops, 14 inch steel rims fitted with 185/65 R14 tyres as well as a full-size spare wheel, power steering, height adjustable steering column, height adjustable driver's seat, follow me home lighting, tinted windows, driver and passenger airbags and a transponder immobiliser system.

The 1.4 Base AC and the 1.8 Base AC have all the above plus manual air conditioning and the Club versions also brag with fancies such as aircon, auto headlights, lead me to the car headlights, a six-speaker audio system with radio/CD player, RDS, MP3, Auxiliary input, USB port and Blue tooth, remote control central locking with safety unlock feature and automatic door lock at 15km/h as well as an anti-theft alarm system.

The cream of the crop Sport versions step out with even more bling such as a polished aluminium roof mounted spoiler, 15-inch alloy wheels, power remote heated side mirrors, power windows with one touch ease of operation, an on-board computer, front fog lamps and ABS anti-lock brakes with EBD.

What's in a name? Lots!

The new Chevrolet Utility has lots of electronic and high tech wizardry and if you add up all its good points this new baby is undoubtedly the leader in this class, outshining the Nissan NP 200, Fiat Strada and ageing Ford Bantam by quite a margin.

Included in the prices of the new range is a five-year/120 000km warranty with roadside assistance for the full period and a service plan is also available as an option.

During our initial, admittedly not too intensive, exposure to the Utility it was extremely difficult to find fault with it, other than one or two small niggles. It doesn't like cross winds very much but then, in fairness, it was not carrying a load and all small bakkies of this nature tend to be a little floaty in windy conditions when unloaded.

The bigger of the two Sport options could also do with a six-speed gearbox.

The ride is quite superb.

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However there is one thing that bothers me (and a few other motoring journos as well) about the Utility and that is its ghastly name. Who, for heavens sake, dreamt this one up? Such a cute, smart, efficient and damn attractive bakkie with an awful nondescript title of Utility. Who is going to be proud to boast to his mates about his newly acquired 'Utility'? It might as well have been called the Chevrolet Brick Carrier, Cement Bag Hauler or Garden Refuse Dumper.

Come on GMSA, it's time to dump the so-called 'market research' by the smoothies in suits which probably cost thousands of rands and then failed to come up with anything more inspiring than Utility.

Sponsor a national media and dealer competition and ask the public to submit their choice of names. Then give the winner the first of the new Chevy's bearing the newly chosen name. The publicity, awareness, social media chatter and sales such a campaign will stimulate will pay for itself over and over...

The new Chevrolet Utility