Chevrolet is planning a significant overhaul of its Korean-built model range by adding a new halo car, new mini-MPV and compact 4×4 (SUV) to its range of mainstream hatchbacks and saloons, writes Julian Rendell.

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The sexiest of the new cars is an affordable coupe (likely to be priced around GBP14,000 [$US24,000] in the UK), based on the next-generation Lacetti hatchback, but still awaiting the green light from Chevrolet and General Motors high-ups.


In Chevrolet’s product plans the car only appears as ‘the halo model’, but is understood to be an affordable coupe which has the backing of GM-DAT chairman Nick Reilly.


The coupe is jostling for position with a production version of the T2X concept revealed late last year. A strong reception to the car is encouraging GM-DAT, again backed by Reilly, to explore the feasibility of engineering the car as a platform variant of the new Captiva SUV.


Sources indicate that the engineering programme has gathered such speed that a production car thinly disguised as a ‘concept’ could appear as early as the Paris motor show in 2008.

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Investment in these additional models is being encouraged by GM-DAT’s stronger-than-expected financial performance. Last year GM-DAT broke-even, a year earlier than expected.


Aveo hatchback


Another fast programme is a second re-skin of the Kalos hatchback that goes deeper than the revised four-door sedan model shown at the Geneva motor show this month and already on sale in the US, China (and, as the first-ever Holden Barina sedan, Australia).


A hatch version of the new Aveo was considered too tame for Europe, so GM-DAT will introduce more heavily revised three- and five-door models in 2007. The four-door will catch-up soon after that, giving it a life of just two years.


The new Kalos hatch will be renamed Aveo and get a highly distinctive front-end with new grille and headlights and all-new sheet metal and rear lights. Inside, the fascia will be borrowed from the Aveo.


A sneak preview at the Korean factory of the clay model of this re-skinned hatch reveals a new, up-market face similar to that used by Audi with upper and lower grilles framed by a delicate chrome surround.


Distinctive headlights with ‘eyebrows’ that flow up the front wings also make the design much more distinctive.


New Lacetti


Chevrolet has two options for the Lacetti, code-name J300. It can either re-skin the existing platform, which would deliver the new cars in the next 24 months, or delay and join GM’s global Delta platform programme, also the basis of the next-generation Opel/Vauxhall Astra.


If GM-DAT joins the Delta programme, the new coupe could also form the basis of the US-market Cobalt coupe, whose top-spec model currently features a 200bhp supercharged four.


“We have a lot of issues to resolve over the Delta and whether to join it. We’re looking at all the options at the moment,” said Nick Reilly, chairman of GM-Daewoo Auto & Technology.


A key feature of the new Lacetti range will be an MAV — Multi Activity vehicle — model.


This is a high-roof, five-door, five-seat model in the mould of the Ford Focus C-Max and will replace the Tacuma, Chevrolet’s oldest and least-competitive model.


New Matiz/Spark


Chevrolet’s entry-level model and best-seller has just been re-designed, but an all-new model is already in the pipeline.


The new Matiz [badged the Spark in some markets] will grow in size, close to the footprint of the Kia Picanto, thanks to new city-car regulations in Korea.


Although GM-DAT will engineer the next generation GM supermini platform for the world, known as the ‘gamma’, the Matiz will have its own stand-alone platform because global volume of 260,000 units is high enough to justify the engineering costs.


Expect a significant change in the proportions and styling, too. The new Matiz features an arching roof-line, a bit like the Mitsubishi i concept, tight front and rear overhangs, butch wheelarch extensions and a pedestrian-friendly nose like the Toyota Aygo.


Round headlights feature the new ‘eyebrow’ treatment and the bonnet shut line passes through the upper portion of the light.


All-new Aveo


Under the code-name ‘Gamma Vision’, GM-DAT is developing an all-new supermini platform for GM globally and the Aveo replacement is part of that programme. In these early stages of Gamma Vision, little is decided, except a new 1.5-litre, three-cylinder diesel, a version of the 2.0TD.


Julian Rendell


  • All the new Chevrolets
    Early-2007: Aveo hatch (Kalos re-skin)
    Early-2008: New Lacetti
    Mid-2008: Lacetti MAV (Tacuma replacement)
    Late-2008: New Matiz/Spark
    Early-2009: T2X
    Mid-2009: Small coupe
    Early-2010: All-new Aveo (Gamma Vision)








    Chevrolet Lacetti 4-door sedan
    Chevrolet Kalos 3-door hatchback









    Chevrolet Aveo sedan
    Chevrolet Matiz/Spark