Chevrolet Europe has released the first official images of its Chevrolet Orlando MPV (read: family van). Even though the upcoming seven-seater will not be available in the United States and will instead be sold in Canada, Europe, and Asia, the GM Authority crew still believes this is an important vehicle for The General and the bow tie brand.
As you can see, the overall shape of the Orlando production vehicle remains similar to that of the Orlando concept, albeit without the attractive (yet ominous) blue illumination found on the concept car.
Platform
The Orlando, which will use GM’s global Delta II platform shared with such vehicles as the Chevrolet Cruze, Opel Astra, and Buick Excelle, has a wheelbase that spans 2,760 mm (108.7 inches) and is capable of accommodating three rows of seating.
Powertrain
Chevrolet will offer three engine choices in the Orlando: the Cruze-sourced 1.8 liter ECOTEC gasoline mill making 141 horsepower and two diesel engines. The two diesel powerplants will both have a displacement of 2.0 liters and will make 131 (low output) and 163 (high output) horsepower.
While this hasn’t been officially confirmed, expect all three engines to be mated to either automatic or manual six speed transmissions. It’s been rumored that the Orlando will be offered in either front- or all-wheel drive configurations, although AWD has not yet been confirmed. 16, 17, or 18 inch wheels will fill out the Orlando’s rather large wheel arches.
Interior, Features, Trim Levels
The interior layout and switchgear are expected to be very similar to that of the Cruze, with a waterfall center stack and a gauge cluster that’s subdivided into four distinct sections.
The Orlando will be offered in three trim levels and will feature electronic stability control, six air bags, air conditioning, and power mirrors as standard equipment.
Production
Chevrolet is gearing up to unveil the Orlando in production form to the public for the first time at the Paris Motors Show in late September. The vehicle will be Chevy’s first-ever MPV to be sold in Europe. It enters full production in October and will go on sale across Europe in early 2011.
The GM Authority Take
Nice to meet ya, Mr. Orlando. After months of restless speculation, we finally get to see what you will really look like…. and this particular auto journo likes what he sees. The Orlando looks great inside and out and I expect it to take the markets in which it will be sold by storm: Kia Rondo, Mazda 5, and Ford C-Max better watch their backs!
Speaking of backs… it seems that the backside of the Orlando is the weakest (most boring?) angle for this car – from a design and aesthetics perspective.
Would you agree? Is this how you expected the Orlando to look? Talk to me in he comments.
Chevrolet’s new Orlando family van set to star in Paris
2010-08-25
Function with attitude: striking crossover look combined with 7-seater versatility
Chevrolet brings great value entry to compact van segment
World premiere at Paris Motor Show, start of sale in early 2011
One of four Chevrolet world premieres to be presented in Paris
Chevrolet’s first entrant into the European MPV/family van segment, the Orlando, will be one of the star attractions at the Mondial de l’Automobile in Paris on September 30, 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 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 Orlando’s low swept roof line is complemented by the muscular, protruding wheel-arches, housing 16, 17 or 18 inch wheels.
The new 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.
“We’re confident the Orlando not only brings great value for money to the MPV class but also something fresh – function with attitude if you like – and the opportunity for us to continue building our volume across Europe. I believe it will also bring more new customers to the Chevrolet brand.”
While the exterior of the new Orlando is sure to draw plenty of attention, the interior too features the latest design cues from Chevrolet such as the Corvette inspired dual cockpit and ambient blue backlighting to the centre console. However, it’s the theatre style seating arrangement of the Orlando’s three rows of seats, the generous load area and the numerous storage solutions that will also grab the attention of family motorists.
In spite of the sweeping roof-line, the designers have succeeded in raising the second and third row of seats, which means Orlando’s occupants get an even better view both forwards and to the side. And with a wide variety of seating configurations possible, the Orlando can be quickly transformed into one of the most voluminous vans in the class when it comes to carrying loads.
Any hard working family car needs plenty of interior storage space for all the ‘paraphernalia’ that builds up. Like the Orlando concept car, the Orlando obliges with a range of compartments of different shapes and sizes situated in the center console, front and rear doors, rear cargo area and even the roof.
However, perhaps the most ingenious is a storage area hidden behind front fascia of the audio, and within easy reach of the both the driver and passenger. Seen originally on the Orlando concept car, the designers have been able to integrate a usefully large area which is revealed by flipping up the face of the audio, and large enough for such items as an MP3 player, sunglasses and wallets. Within the space itself, there is also a USB port – ideal for re-charging the MP3 or iPod when on the move.
The Orlando is based on Chevrolet’s successful and award winning Cruze sedan, already proven to offer excellent ride and handling. Under the hood there will be a choice of three of Chevrolet’s latest fuel efficient engines: one gasoline engine will be available, a 1.8 liter with power output of 141 hp and two diesel units, the latest version of Chevrolet’s 2.0 liter engine with outputs of 131hp (low output) or 163 hp (high output).
Customers will also be able to choose from three trim levels with standard equipment on all cars including electronic stability control, six air-bags, air conditioning and power mirrors.
Full production of the Chevrolet Orlando starts in October with the car going on sale across Europe in early 2011.
by 
August 27, 2010 at 11:54 am
“The two diesel powerplants will both have a displacement of 2.0 liters and will make 131 (low output) and 163 (high output) horsepower.”.
very difficult to have news about this engines, for the moment i,n Europê GM sell the 2.0 engine in 125hp and 150 hp and it is a VMMOTORI engine made in Korea and it s EURO 4 emission standard .
From 1 january 2011 in Europe all diesel engine must be EURO 5 emission standard , so is why Gm change the 2.0 diesel . My question is, the new 2.0 Diesel engine (163hp and 131 hp) will be a VM MOTORI engine modified for the EURO 5 or will be a totally new engine?
August 27, 2010 at 1:05 pm
Adriano – at this point, we know as much as you do about these engines.
They probably are VMMOTORI and – if it were my guess – they are updated to comply with EURO 5 standards. I can’t seem GM not being in compliance with such requirements.
March 21, 2012 at 2:43 pm
I feel lucky i can actually see these things driving around i’ve looked at one at a dealership and thought it was pretty cool, though i wouldnt buy it i’m not the targeted consumer