GM India Launches Chevrolet Captiva Luxury SUV
January 10, 2008 – 10:08 am by Ashish Jha
Update: Chevrolet Captiva is launched. The SUV has a 1991cc, 4-cylinder, 16 valve, VCDi diesel engine which outputs maximum power of 150ps@4000 rpm and torque of 320Nm@2000 rpm. The Rs.17.73 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) Captiva is available in five colors.
For complete specifications and price of the car, please follow the following links:
I was back in the NCR sometime back and it was one of those few occasions that made me turn my head back to notice something while I was seated behind the wheel of a car. (Yes, I know it is unsafe to do this mom. Do not give me that scolding now, there are people reading this!) But well, I did this ‘coz it was something special. What was it? Okay, the title does give a feeler to you, but we have a little insight. Wanna know? General Motors seems to be on a high after launching capable products in the form of Aveo, UV-A, Spark and the latest - Optra Magnum.
GM has always expressed its interest in the SUV segment which has experienced a steady growth over last few years. That ‘interest’ might soon see the light of the day in the shape of Chevrolet Captiva.
This grand plan of Chevrolet was leaked even further when some spy pictures were displayed on the www (Hell, why on earth was I not carrying a camera back then!).
Essentially a mid-size crossover SUV developed by GM in ‘Daewoo land’ the Captiva is based on GM’s Theta platform. The name is retained in markets like the ASEAN countries in addition to the Middle East and South America while Australia gets it as a Holden badged Captiva.
This good-looking SUV is offered with a 2.0L, 152PS common rail diesel engine developed in conjunction with VM Motori and a 3.2L V6 from Holden. Though the V6 is a far shot for India, we have reasons to believe that the 2.0L ‘TDCi’ motor will do duty on our roads. There is also a 2.4L petrol engine in GM’s kitty and they might consider powering the Chevrolet Captiva with the ’sparking’ engine as well.
Practicality is what GM would be aiming at and expect the Captiva to be offered in 5 or 7 seating configuration. Considering that it will be at the better side of 12 lakh, expect this machine to offer good equipment levels. High-end sound system, 16 inch alloys and a surfeit of other great options.
It will have a formidable lineup to compete against. Ford’s “new” Endeavour, the Honda CRV and Hyundai’s Tucson will try and make life difficult for the Chevy. Whether or not the Captiva holds its own in this severe battle is going to be seen in some coming months.
Price it under 16lakhs, GM, and you will have another winner in your portfolio. We shall pray.
35 Responses to “GM India Launches Chevrolet Captiva Luxury SUV”
Good one, but I have been looking for something like Grand Vitara. As an adventure loving person I was always looking for car like Grand Vitara that will be ready for a adventurous ride too. This accompanies me daily to the office and it’s always ready to take me for an adventurous ride.
Be ready to enjoy the ride when you take Vitara on the non existent paths. Grand Vitara has this on-road manners and off-road ability. Unlike the previous Grand Vitrara the new version features unibody construction and the result is lighter weight and usually a smoother, more comfortable ride.
By Kalpesh on Jul 21, 2007
Hey dude! I couldn’t take my eyes off from Grand Vitara. It’s spacious, and we can also split fold the rear seats for more room, audio system with steering mounted controls and hand held remote. Look at the 16 inch alloy; it is beautiful and strong. It’s the perfect for adventurous ride.
By Sam on Jul 23, 2007
If you look at the inner features of Grand Vitara, it comes with 4 speed auto transmission option with auto downshift that saves you the hassles of frequent gear changes. And also available in 5 speed manual transmission option.
By Ajay on Jul 23, 2007
There is not much difference in price between the Grand Vitara variant, manual transmission and automatic transmission. I think one who is planning to buy one should definitely go for the automatic one.
By Rakesh on Jul 24, 2007
Honda, Suzuki and even Hyundai are anytime better than GM’s offerings. So guys, stay with Vitaras, CRVs and Santa Fes. Enjoy.
By GK on Jul 25, 2007
When is the Captiva expected ??
By GP on Jul 27, 2007
Speculations are that the car should hit Indian roads by the year end.
By Ashish on Jul 27, 2007
Hi,
When compared to the CRV/Vitara which are petrol, Captiva will come in diesel…So that should be interesting…
By Vinit on Jul 28, 2007
Captiva seems to be great but still no competetion to good old scropio on the price front
By Inderpal Singh on Aug 1, 2007
Dear sir,
thanking you for giving the important information for up coming car, which going to give a taff compittion, plz continue giving the information of Automobile industry.
thanking you
Rushikesh Bhavsar.
By rushikesh bhavsar on Aug 3, 2007
I really Like that plz let me know when can i book
By Deepan on Aug 4, 2007
Grand Vitara is powerful! The 2 ltr, 4 cylinder engine develops a power of 120 ps and 170 Nm of torque which helps you brush past other vehicles.
By Mitun Anare on Aug 4, 2007
oh, tkz for this loving news. its so fentastic for indian car lover. ill try to compair it with my loving tata safari.
By pardeep sharda on Aug 7, 2007
Hi,
I am Rishi From Pune. I have postponed my purchase of a SUV from the time, I have read about the launch of Captiva. Please let me know the approx price & date of launch.
Thanks
Rishi Tandon.
email : rsh_tandon@yahoo.co.in
By Rishi Tandon on Aug 8, 2007
Dude, have a look at the new Grand Vitara. I think it may go with your taste as it has a dual personality off road and on road. With 127KW @ 6000 rpm on call, the 2.7-litre DOHC V6 engine can empower the Grand Vitara XL-7 to climb up steep terrain, zip effortlessly down the highway.
By pradeep shetty on Aug 10, 2007
Hi to all,
Firstly, thanks for all the messages and responses.
The Chevrolet Captiva sure should make things interesting in the SUV segment. We hope it is priced in the Hyundai Tucson/Ford Endeavour bracket. As for the launch date, it should be here by the year end. Will keep you all updated about anything more that we come across.
Cheers!
By Ashish on Aug 10, 2007
Dear all,
Its great news that another good looking should I call it beautiful SUV is being launced in India. As the data appears, it’s really a great vehicle, yet, to compete with the existing Tucson and Safaris of India, to get a SWEEPING response, it has to be a 7 SEATER and PRICED BELOW 12 LAKH bracket. Indias presently don’t have any worthwile SUV between 8 lakh the safaris and the 15 lakh levels. Any thing in between say just at 12 lakh, will be grabbed by the otherwise hesitant folks of MID-SIZED cars.
The co’l do good to cut excessive costs and too much of safety features (required for very high speeds of Europe) for Indian launch.
If the launce is in Oct. 07 and priced around 12 lakh at 7 seater, I’l sure go for it. Sort of love at first sight.
By saurav bhattacharyya on Aug 12, 2007
Well price it north of 15L and you have stiffer competition from the other already holding thier fort and options are many.
Price is south of 15L you have lesser competition, prospects look good.
Price it around 10L price band and you have a killer, just look at the scorpio sales, GM might show those sales figures for themselves later.
By Atul on Aug 13, 2007
In India there is a demand for a SUV vehicle. And it was the right time for Maruti to come up with one like Grand Vitara, the one with on road and off road ability. Grand Vitara is the perfect one for the Indian roads.
By Arun Desai on Sep 3, 2007
Yes, some of the comfort levels of Grand Vitara include power steering, electric windows, central door locking, electrically adjustable outside mirrors, remote controlled door lock, auto air conditioning, 4 speakers and antenna.
By Eman on Sep 3, 2007
Grand Vitara’s comfort, charm and interior factors are worth describing. Front seats make for more room for leg-space as well as shoulder support, back and thigh rest; seat is aligned for comfortable driving position to be attained with both steering and driver’s seat adaptive to height adjustments. Back-seat passengers too have nothing to worry about when it comes to comfort-seating as backrests can be reclined for achieving maximum benefit of the sufficiently upholstered seats that may be wanting in the jerky moments on the road when the seats could benefit from additional curvature instead of their present flat shape.
By Vishnu on Sep 4, 2007
hi dear and everybody hello
tnx for giving me the knowledge of chevs captiva when will this baby launch and wats the price of it pls let me know dat pls as soon as poosible
By bhushan golani on Sep 17, 2007
Hi
I am happy that general motor is launchin the SUV Cheverolet Captiva i dont have that nuch specifications but that is going to rock the indian road as optra magnum is already hving great engine power just i felt so it will be more adventurious.
By saket singh on Sep 23, 2007
looks great but out of budget for middle family
By prashant gupta on Sep 24, 2007
I think the Captiva is going to be successful in the india market since it looks good , has a lots of space , has a diesel option, has got lot of equipment and has good road manners.But 2 factors surely will decide its success that is GM brand value and the pricing which should be less than the CRV.
By Jishnu S V on Sep 24, 2007
I saw one of there beauties whilst my visist abroad and they are very sexy. I am eagerly waiting for the Captiva’s arrival in our country. I am alos looking to purchase a Ford endeavour (which is a beast considering its off rad abilities) and the Toyota fortuner is a beauty. I guess the Captiva is sexy and can be compared to aby of the 2 choices…but Chervolet has a plus piont that is its warranty and the after sales service…so CHERVOLET..PLEASE HURRY
By Satyam on Sep 27, 2007
The sketchy details of the upcoming Captiva make it difficult to comment but given recent developments at Chevrolet India, it sure seems like an intersting opportunity….however, the new Safari 2.2 lts (140 HP, VVT turbo-engine) with an amazing array of thoughtful features (dual air bags, ABS+EBD, in-built camera and display for rear-view/parking, DVD player with two in-seat LCD screens for rear row, night parking lights etc etc) is very agressively priced at just 11 lakhs…..GM needs to work very hard at pricing Captiva competitively…Tata’s products are now good and the company is also working on the image very hard (Range Rover and Jaguar acquistions, if they come through, will help immensely on this front) and once that is sorted out, others (including GM) better watch out….
By Vikas Kochhar on Oct 7, 2007
Yesterday a salesman from the Cochin showroom of Chevrolet told me Captiva was going to be priced about Rs. 21 lakhs ex showroom. I asked him again and again and he kept saying this was the information he got. This is shocking. At that price how can it become a success in India? I am planning to look more seriously into the petrol guzzler Honda CRV or the old truck Endeavour.
O Lord what is Toyota doing with their Fortuner? They could have at least started off by importing it fully built from Thailand or something. That could have given some real competition to these greedy Americans.
By medit on Oct 14, 2007
Guyz, heard that the Checy Captiva will be launched at the AutoExpo 2008 (Jan ‘08?) in India.
Wow! I’m eagerly looking forward to it’s birth in India.
Hopefully, it would be priced aggressively; but, I suspect, it would be around 18lacs
By autoholic on Oct 24, 2007
Today I got a chance to drive the UK version with 2L diesel, automatic. It is really wonderful. I was cruising easily up to 160KMPH(100mph).
The model I drove had ABS, 8 Airbags, Electonic Stability Programme etc and it costs around 18K£ i.e around 14.5L.
I think if GM tags the right price, this model will be a hge sucess.
By Raj on Oct 29, 2007
great looking car. but not like proper suv of eighties and early nineties.i would prefer fusion which looks like any suv of today. i suggest all manufacturers just try old model suv like three door grand vitara of nineties or eighties for 7 to 8 lacs. i will be the first to buy. modern suv look like cars which is hard to digest. suzuki jimny wuould have sold like hot cakes.chey people, are u listeneing?
By ramesh lal on Nov 25, 2007
In India there is a demand for a SUV vehicle. And it was the right time for Maruti to come up with one like Grand Vitara, The Grand Vitara is preferred by most Indians as it comes from the Maruti stable. The only reason it is not a runaway success inspite of being such a good car is because of the price tag of 15 lacs. The captiva also looks like a winner but only if it is priced below 12 lacs on road.
By Sushil Koshy on Nov 25, 2007
Hello readers as i wrote earlier in September that GM sure has a winner in thier hands. Pricing this beauty is very crucial for GMS success. It priced too high could bring it up to the pric range of the already existing Honda CRV/Ford Endeavour or the soon to be launched VW Tiguan or the New Hyundai Santa Fe. It a cut throat competition on the north side of the rs 15 lac bracket. My personal opinion would be to price the Captiva between Rs 12 and 15 lacs depending upon the variants. Hope GM hits the right cords with the Captiva like it did with its other models. All the very best GM and we look forward to the launch ;o)). Satyam
By Satyam Pradhan on Dec 23, 2007
Hi Guys,
I’m back again! I just read in OVERDIRVE that the Captiva due to be launched next month!! As i read the lines by Medit posted above on 14th october Rs 21.laks ex showroom !!!!!!! Has GM sone bonkers!!!Its way too too high. Even the Honda CRV the most reputated SUV does not have the privce that high. The CRV on Road Rs 19 Lakhs and the remaining Rs 3 Lakhs (Plus the RT and the Insurance ect) could be well used in dishing the extra amount for the Pertol and the Diesel mileage difference. What u say guys??
Satyam Pradhan
By Satyam Pradhan on Dec 29, 2007
Captiva is priced just too high. It could have done great if it was priced under Rs 13 lakhs. Dont expect much interest to be generated by many in this car.The need of th hour in India is to have a good looking SUV under Rs 13 lakhs on road price. People are bored with Scorpio and Safari and need a change.
Regards,
Nishant Kumar
By Nishant on Apr 6, 2008