New Chevy Orlando MPV: Sneak Peek of the Interior

By some act of dark magic, we've found ourselves with some shots of a few upcoming GM Paris debuts. In this case, we're talking about the Orlando compact MPV which comes with stadium seating for seven. Despite its having lost some of the concept's original chunk, the interior is actually quite appealing. As expected, the dash looks very similar to the concept's layout.

Also, looking at the live shots of the minivan's exterior, its rear-end doesn't appear to ride nearly as high as the initial pics would suggest. We'll have to wait for some high-res close-ups before THE FINAL JUDGEMENT, though.

After its reveal in Paris, the Cruze-based Orlando MPV will show up in Europe early next year with three engine options: a 1.8-liter gasoline unit (141 horsepower) or the 2.0-liter diesel with low- or high-output (131 and 163 horsepower, respectively). No torque figures have been revealed yet, but color me antsy in the pantsy about that high-output diesel...

By Phil Alex

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VIDEOS: 2011 Chevrolet Aveo, Captiva Facelift, Orlando MPV and Cruze Hatchback

As promised, here are the respective promotional videos of Chevrolet's Paris Motor Show-bound Aveo sub-compact, Captiva 7-seater SUV, Orlando 7-seater MPV and the Cruze five-door hatchback. From these four cars, only the Aveo has been confirmed for the U.S market with sales of both the five-door variant and the yet-to-be-revealed sedan model to start sometime in 2011.

New Chevrolet Orlando MPV Shows up in Paris (With Live Pictures)

Finally, we've got live pics of the new Chevy Orlando. Essentially the General's answer to the European mid-size MPV question, the small, Cruze-based 7-seater had a bunch of promise back when it originally debuted as a concept.

Somewhere between there and this year's Paris Motor Show, all the old, Judge Whitey executives in the General's back pocket found a way to crush any chance of it being cool by turning the stocky little MPV into an ass-in-the-air high-ish-riding mini-minivan...unless there's an air suspension system I don't know about.

You can see that the interior keeps the decent styling inherited from its platform-mate and appears to actually be sourced from the original concept. Too bad the same can't be said for the rest.

When this little box goes on sale in early 2011, methinks the best things about the whole package are the trick dashboard cubby and its two available diesel torque-makers.

As for the rest, attractive European MPV it ain't. For the full info and specs, check out our previous post, and to see how the Orlando stacks up against the concept, head on over to our Concept to Reality comparo.

By Phil Alex

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Chevrolet Prices New Orlando MPV from £16,395 in the UK [Plus New Photo Gallery]

The new Chevrolet Orlando compact minivan won't arrive in UK dealerships before Spring of 2011, but the company has already released detailed pricing and specifications. Available in three trim levels and with three engines including two diesel options, the 7-seater MPV will carry a base price of £16,395 (about US$25,400).

The range kicks off with the entry level Orlando LS, which comes equipped with ESC, air conditioning, follow-me-home headlights, electric windows and mirrors, remote central locking, six airbags, three 12v power sockets, tinted windows and an adjustable steering wheel as standard.

The LS is offered with the choice of two engines, the 141PS 1.8-liter petrol engine, or a new 130PS 2.0-litre diesel unit, the latter of which also comes with a six-speed manual gearbox as standard.

The better equipped LT models add several features including rear parking distance sensors, a USB port, 16-inch alloy wheels, climate control, a chrome-effect tailgate handle, driver’s armrest, leather-covered steering wheel, front fog lights, electric rear windows and an upgraded sound system with steering wheel audio controls.

Furthermore, the LT can be specified with the most powerful Orlando engine, a 163PS 2.0-litre diesel with six-speed manual gearbox, or a six-speed auto as an option.

At the top of the range we meet the LTZ models, which are offered with all three engine options and add unique 17-inch alloys, automatic cruise control, an electro-chromatic rear view mirror, automatic headlights and windscreen wipers, blue ambient panel lighting, a glossy black centre console, power-folding door mirrors, a rear cargo net and chrome-effect body detailing.

For detailed pricing and performance / fuel economy figures, check out the list below.