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By
ALISTAIR KENNEDY
11 August 2008
In a bid to shoulder its way forward in the growing medium car
market, Holden has freshened up the appearance of its Epica sedan
as well as adding the option of a turbo-diesel engine and
six-speed automatic transmission.
With
high fuel prices seemingly here to stay, it comes as no surprise
that the Australian medium car market is growing strongly with
many buyers, including the all-important fleet operators, moving
away from their traditional six-cylinder base.
At
the same time, the search for improvements in fuel economy has
seen the recent introduction of diesel engines into mid-sized
passenger cars such as the Hyundai Sonata and Ford Mondeo.
Launched
in Australia in March 2007, Holden Epica is imported from
Holden’s South Korean GM-partner Daewoo. Epica effectively
replaced the European-sourced Vectra as Holden’s mid-sized
model.
Although
there have been a number of changes to the exterior of upgraded
Epica, it remains conservative in appearance, unlikely to attract
strong opinions one way or the other. Not that this is a problem
in a market segment where practicality and comfort often rate
higher than standout styling.
At
the front the horizontal bar across the grille has been removed to
give Epica a more Commodore-like look while at the rear a bolder
fascia has a similar effect.
In
fact Epica is only marginally smaller than Commodore in its
exterior dimensions although interior space isn’t as good as it
should be in a car of this size using a transverse engine.
Countering the limitations in rear seat space is a flat-floored
boot with a 480-litre capacity. However, its marginally smaller
than that of the Commodore.
The
new diesel engine is the same 2.0-litre four-cylinder common-rail
turbo unit that is used in Holden’s Captiva SUV, but with around
200 kg less weight to move its performance and economy are
improved. Peak power is 110 kW at 4000 rpm with a useful maximum
torque reading of 320 Newton metres coming in at 2000 revs.
The
only petrol engine on offer now is the 2.5-litre in-line six that
was in the original Epica model. The previous 2.0-litre six, never
a big seller, has been deemed surplus to requirements with the
arrival of the new diesel.
Also
gone is the option of a manual gearbox which was previously
matched with the smaller petrol engine. Instead both Epica models
now come with a smooth six-speed automatic.
We’ve
just spent an afternoon driving the new Epica diesel and came away
impressed with its smoothness and refinement. While the engine is
clearly distinguishable as a diesel from outside the car at
start-up once underway it’s all but indistinguishable from a
petrol engine.
While
handling is safe and predictable it’s no sports machine, though
there’s a hint of oversteer when cornering at reasonable speeds.
Nothing, however, that is likely to concern the typical driver.
On
flat, rural terrain and restricted by Victoria’s
tightly-controlled speed limits, fuel consumption from the Epica
diesel came in at an impressive 6.7 litres per hundred kilometres.
Official ADR 81/01 tests show combined city/country cycle
consumption as 7.6 L/100 km.
As
before, Epica comes in two equipment levels, CDX and CDXi.
Standard safety equipment is impressive and both models come with
six airbags (front, side and curtain), ABS brakes with EBD
(electronic brakeforce distribution), stability control and
traction control. The higher-specced CDXi also has a sensor which
triggers the front passenger airbag only when that seat is
occupied during a crash. It also has rear parking sensors.
Other
standard features in the CDX include air conditioning, cruise
control, automatic headlamps, MP3-compatible CD player with
steering wheel controls, and 16-inch alloy wheels.
Holden
Epica CDXi gets climate controlled air, six-disc CD player, a
modest body kit, front foglamps, trip computer, leather-wrapped
steering wheel and gear lever, and 17-inch alloys.
Holden
Epica offers an excellent combination of practicality, comfort,
refinement and value for money. To date it’s been something of a
‘sleeper’ in the medium car sales race however the performance
and economy of the new diesel engine could well lead to increased
demand.
The
complete Epica range, with prices (excluding on-road costs), is:
CDX 2.5-litre petrol: $27,990
CDX 2.0-litre turbo diesel: $29,990
CDXi 2.5-litre petrol: $30,990
CDXi 2.0-litre turbo diesel: $32,990
© Copyright
Marque Publishing Company
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