Chevrolet Captiva gets entry-level diesel model

Chevrolet has announced the addition of a new entry-level diesel model to its Captiva range. At £18,295, the new VCDi LS is £1,900 cheaper than the Kia's base model Sorento.

Chevrolet believe the new Captiva is over £2,000 less expensive than the cheapest diesel Nissan X-Trail, and more than £3,500 less pricey than the five-seat Hyundai Santa Fe 2.2 CRTD GSi.

Despite the bargain price tag, the latest Captiva still has an impressive specification. The new model comes with air conditioning, smart 16-inch alloy wheels, a glass-flip tailgate, electrically-adjustable heated door mirrors, an eight-way adjustable driver's seat, and a powerful six-speaker RDS radio/CD player with MP3 socket.

It also has steering wheel-mounted audio controls, front, side and curtain airbags, remote control two-stage deadlocking and charcoal-effect roof rails.

The 2.0-litre 150 PS common-rail diesel engine powers the front wheels through a five-speed manual gearbox, delivering a combined fuel economy figure of 38.7 mpg (43.5 mpg extra-urban; 32.1 mpg urban). CO2 emissions are 195 g/km, and the car accelerates from zero to 60 mph in 10.8 seconds, with a top speed of 112 mph.

The new 2.0 VCDi LS model is the latest addition to the Captiva range, which made its debut in the UK last year and has been a significant contributor to Chevrolet's UK growth. Chevrolet sales in the UK were up by 27.6 per cent in 2007. In the first quarter of 2008, sales showed a further 21 per cent year-on-year increase.

This latest addition to the Captiva family is in showrooms now, alongside the new Aveo supermini and Epica family saloon, both of which are new for 2008.