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By
EWAN KENNEDY
30 April 2007
This all-new Holden is a medium to large model called the
Epica. It’s biggest feature is a straight-six engine, something that
seems certain to please the Holden purists because this is the first
time in over a decade Holden has used an engine of this type.
Two straight sixes are on offer, with capacities of 2.0 litres
and 2.5 litres. The former offered only with a five-speed manual
gearbox, the latter with an automatic transmission, also with five
ratios.
This dual-engine plan makes a lot of sense as automatics steal
a fair bit of any engine’s power and torque, so adding capacity
more than cancels this out.
The new Holden’s 2.0-litre manages 105 kW and the 2.5-litre
unit puts out 115 kW. Torque is 195 Nm and 237 Nm respectively and
is developed at a usefully low 2600 rpm in both cases.
The engines are both delightfully smooth and have a sweet
nature that really makes them stand out on the road. They give the
complete car an air of refinement over and above that of the
typical four-cylinder in this class. They found both units willing
to pull from about 1700 rpm, to go to the redline cutout with no
fuss and to be lively in their feel.
Performance is good without being anything special, keep in
mind that these are relatively small engines in a largish car.
Though Epica is an overseas design, from GM-DAT in South Korea,
there was a lot of Aussie input in both the styling and the
dynamics of the suspension and steering. The latter were tested
and modified after test sessions at the Holden proving ground in
Victoria as well as on the open road in country and city locations
under secret driving conditions.
Epica has a lovely feel on the road, with good stability and
semi-sports handling dynamics of the type Holden drivers have
loved for years. It’s not quite as good as the Commodore, but
then very few cars are and the VE is even putting many European
cars to shame in the way it behaves.
The new Epica may feel slightly firmer in its ride on medium to
rough roads than some buyers like, but those happy to trade off a
little bit of comfort will be delighted with this car. On
motorways it’s superbly smooth and quiet.
Styling of the Epica is on the conservative side. This is one
of those cars that looks better on the road than in pictures. It
has real presence, particularly when seen in the rear vision
mirror as the front-end has a bold appearance by courtesy of its
chromed grille and large Holden lion-and-stone badge.
Epica is fascinating in that it’s not far from the big VE
Commodore in exterior dimensions. However, interior space is
slightly disappointing as we had expected more rear legroom in a
car of this size using a transverse engine. Unless those in the
front are willing to give up a few notches of seat travel, which
isn’t a huge hardship, the back seat is probably best left to
children up to their early teenage years.
Interior styling is impressive, with an expansive dash having
the look of a car a class or two up in the image stakes. It works
well, and on our initial test drive we found the instrument layout
simple and safe. We are pleased to note that, yet again, Holden
has taken the trouble to demand that the blinker lever is on the
correct side of the car for a right-hand drive country like
Australia. Other makers should pay attention to this
safety-related feature.
Holden may find itself with an image problem with its new Epica.
Buyers tend to think that a car with a six-cylinder engine is
automatically thirstier than one using a four-cylinder. Which is
certainly not the case here; Epica has officially measured
consumption figures of 8.2 litres per hundred kilometres for the
2.0-litre manual, and 9.3 litres per hundred kilometres for the
2.5-litre automatic. Quite a few four-cylinder engines use more
petrol than that.
Then there's the contrary problem that people expect a
six-cylinder to have more performance than a four. Yet may lose
sight of the fact that the Epica smaller engine’s capacity has
less capacity than quite a few competing fours. And therefore
provides less grunt than they do.
Image is a funny thing so let's hope Holden can sort out the
potential buyer confusion over cylinder numbers and engine sizes
with some intelligent marketing and advertising.
We have left the best to last – pricing is impressively low,
with the Epica starting at only $25,990 for the CDX 2.0 manual
with alloy wheels and air conditioning; going up to just $30,990
if you want the topline 2.5 CDXi auto (with a body kit, foglamps,
adjustable steering wheel, six-CD MP3 stereo in place of a single
CD, climate-control, six airbags instead of four). You certainly
get a lot of car for your money.
Holden has an interesting marketing plan to try to pull buyers
who may be sceptical of buying a South Korean car for the first
time. It’s offering to give a full refund of the purchase price
if the Epica is returned within 30 days or 1500 kilometres of
purchase. Naturally there are terms and conditions on this offer
and these should be studied before you buy the car.
The new Holden Epica is a most impressive car at a more than
reasonable price. It certainly deserves to be a sales success and
we eagerly look forward to seeing how it performs against its many
competitors on the showroom floor.
© Copyright
Marque Publishing Company
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