2012 Chevrolet Orlando
2012 Chevrolet Orlando Interior
2012 Chevrolet Orlando
2012 Chevrolet Orlando
2012 Chevrolet Orlando
Chevrolet's first entrant into the European MPV/family van segment, the Chevrolet Orlando, will be one of the star attractions at the Mondial de l'Automobile in Paris on September 30, 2010, when the full production model makes its world debut. It will be one of four Chevrolet world premieres at the show.Based on the show car concept first seen at Paris Motor Show in 2008, the Chevrolet Orlando is a true family car for the times, combining 7-seater practicality and interior flexibility with striking crossover style design.
Chevrolet's new compact MPV eschews the bland designs sometimes seen in the segment, and instead adopts a bolder look with its low roofline and crossover inspired silhouette, while retaining the distinctive and recognizable Chevrolet 'face' depicted by the split radiator grille and bow-tie badge.
The Chevrolet Orlando's low swept roof line is complemented by the muscular, protruding wheel-arches, housing 16, 17 or 18 inch wheels.
The new Chevrolet Orlando MPV has a key role to play in Chevrolet's continued product offensive in Europe, as Wayne Brannon, president and managing director for Chevrolet Europe explains. "The new Orlando MPV kicks off an ambitious seven-product launch program over the next 15 months.
Although heavy camouflage covers the front and rear, the bare side sheetmetal gives away the usual distillation from show car to show room car. The concept’s jutting rocker extensions and pronounced fender flares appear to be smoothed, leaving a less-inspired and more vanlike profile. The taper of the greenhouse remains, but the glass grows a little taller to accommodate real people inside. The taming of the concept’s design is unfortunate, as the concept promised a surprisingly attractive way to transport seven people.
Beneath the rear camo, the answer to how the Orlando concept’s funky recessed and pillarless rear glass will translate to production remains hidden, but we assume there won’t be a massive sunroof over the rear seats. While the front is likewise hidden under heavy wraps, the shrinking of the fender flares should be the only major change, and Chevrolet’s signature split grille is visible through the disguise.
Although it rides on the Cruze’s platform, we suspect the 140-hp turbocharged 1.4-liter from the Cruze won’t quite be enough to propel the larger and heavier Orlando—particularly with all seven seats filled. Whether Chevy will squeeze another 20 or so hp from the engine—which would pit it directly against the fours in the similarly sized Mazda 5 and Kia Rondo—or install another, larger engine, is unclear at this point. The 182-hp 2.4-liter four from the upcoming 2010 Chevrolet Equinox is an intriguing possibility.
