Holden Captiva update

GM Holden next year plans to wheel out a refurbished Captiva SUV to an increasingly discerning crowd of Australian families.  Expected here early in 2011, the five or seven-seat Captiva stars in its global reveal at this month's Paris motor show as a Chevrolet - GM's mainstay brand that turns 100 year next year.

The four-year-old SUV built by the Korean Daewoo arm of GM gets upgraded with a polished face and more power choices for 2011, but most importantly, aims to add more value for family buyers.

GM Holden in the year to August 31 has sold almost 11,000 Captivas, giving it the lead in the softroader field – and making it for overall SUVs second only to the more 4WD-oriented Toyota Prado's 11,650 figure.

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Externally it wears a bigger, two slot grille under a muscled bonnet, new slim-line headlights and repeater indicators in the wing mirrors. GM Holden is keeping quiet about the SUV.

"We're not in a position to discuss powertrains or features for our local model at this stage," says GM Holden spokesman Jonathon Rose.  "But the styling does give a clue as to what an updated Captiva for Australia may look like when it reaches our shores."

The Captiva goes on duty in Europe with four powerplant options and new transmissions. It is expected in Australia with the same choices as the current model.  The basic model range of front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive, petrol and diesel, will remain but the drivetrains are expected to be more advanced.

Global markets have the choice of two petrol engines (a 127kW 2.4-litre variable-valve four and a 192kW 3-litre V6) and two 2.2-litre turbo-diesels rated at 121kW and 136kW.  The turbo-diesels and the 2.4-litre petrol can be ordered in front or all-wheel-drive configurations. It is unlikely we will get the V6.

Transmissions are new six-speed manual and six-speed automatic units.  In acknowledgment of its market, the next Captiva accents new cabin colours and finishes, a wrap-around instrument panel and ice-blue backlighting.

For the first time, it gets an electric park brake that allows more room in the centre console for storage.  The new manual transmission Captiva has "hill-start assist" to prevent rolling back on hills.

Other cabin improvements are an audio system with iPod, USB and Bluetooth connectivity. European buyers are to have a touch-screen sat-nav option with rear view camera. This feature is expected on the Australian-bound models.

GM says a new, more rigid chassis and attention to sound deadening have resulted in a Captiva that, in comparison with the current model, has more positive handling and reduced road, wind and engine noise.  Safety features include standard electronic stability and traction control, brake assist and six airbags.