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| Chevrolet
Lumina S |
Broadcast
dates : 3rd April 2005
9th April 2005 |
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The
recent makeover to the Chevrolet Lumina range extends to
almost every facet of this earthy, family sedan, which
hails from Australia.
Our test model was the Lumina S, which uses a new
all-alloy V6 engine displacing 3,6 litres, and producing
copious amounts of power and torque.
The Lumina has also been restyled in the add-on
department, emphasizing what General Motors calls the
"sculpted" look.
There’s a new radiator grille, a bigger air-intake with
mesh inserts, restyled headlamps, and rather boy-racer-ish
sill extensions, spoiler and 17-inch alloy wheels on the S
model.
The interior features sports-orientated instrumentation
with silver surrounds and crisp graphics.
There’s also paddle-shifting to go with the new
automatic transmission, and the power-assisted
rack-and-pinion steering takes some getting-used-to.
There’s a reassuring sense of solidity to the car that’s
somewhat unexpected given its rather retro styling.
Suspension is a basic McPherson strut layout up front with
an independent multi-link rear-end. A very firm ride, but
well sorted in the comfort department.
It’s a hulk of a motorcar, a family sedan in the mom -’n’-
pop tradition, albeit with serious street-cred in the
"go" department.
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The
Alloytec V6 engine is mated to a new five-speed automatic
gearbox offering various shift modes, including the
paddle-shift option.
The interior has a typical lack of pretension. But
build-quality is solid with a touch of racing-orientation
that reflects Chevy’s strong presence in the Australian
Touring Car series.
Priced at R275 000, it offers more car for the buck than
anything else in its class, and more performance than most
at this price level.
In this era of MPVs and Double-Cab 4X4s being family-flavours-of-the
moment, the Lumina S seems a bit of a throw-back. A sort
of Cressida for the year 2005, so to speak.
But maybe it’s time we took a closer look at cars like
this, which are more maneuverable, easier to handle, and
in the case of the Lumina S, offer sports car performance.
A 0-100 time in under eight seconds, and a 220 kilometres-per-hour
top speed translates to lots of fun.
Chevrolet Lumina S
- Engine: V6
petrol, 3 564 cc
- Power: 190 kW @
6 500 rpm
- Torque: 340 Nm
@ 3 200 rpm
- Transmission:
Five-speed automatic, rear-wheel-drive
- 0-100 km/h: 7,9
seconds
- Top speed: 220
km/h
- Fuel consumption:
13,5 litres/100 km (claimed figures)
- Price: R275 000
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Car Torque is
produced by
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