Filed under: Diesel, Chevrolet, Paris Motor Show
Paris 2008: Chevrolet Orlando MPV debuts

Chevrolet has fully taken the wraps of the new Orlando compact people mover for its debut at the Paris Motor Show. We still don't know for sure if the Orlando will be offered here in North America, but the rest of the world will get this compact seven seater. For its debut in Paris, the Orlando is being shown with GM's new 2.0L diesel engine rated at 150 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque. The three-row Orlando is based on the new generation Delta compact platform that also underpins the new Cruze, the next Astra and, of course, the Volt. The Orlando was originally planned to be built in Detroit alongside the Volt, but the Wall Street Journal recently reported it would not be built here. However, more recent reports indicated otherwise. The Orlando has style elements from the Sequel fuel cell concept and could appeal to people moving out of SUVs that still need room to haul the kids around. An Orlando with either the Two-Mode or mild hybrid system could prove to be a very capable and efficient people mover here in the U.S.
Gallery: Chevrolet Orlando
[Source: Chevrolet]
Chevrolet Orlando Show Car Signals Entry into New Segment for the Brand
- Distinctive SUV-like styling
- Adaptable seven-seat accommodation with flat load floor configurability
- Latest-generation 2.0-liter turbo diesel power
The Orlando show car is a clear indication that Chevrolet is considering an expansion to its portfolio with a seven-seat multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) with distinctive sport-utility-like design, adaptable seating and impressive interior space.
Based on the recently announced all-new Cruze compact sedan, the Orlando show car carries Chevrolet's signature design language into a new vehicle segment. It explores the potential of combining the versatility attributes of a sport utility, a family van and a wagon in a single execution.
Chevrolet Orlando cuts a distinctive silhouette, replacing conventional monocab proportions with a more defined contrast between the hood and windshield lines. With flared fenders instead of a flat side-body, Orlando has a muscular stance that gives it the appearance of a sport utility vehicle, yet it offers dynamic ride and handling, excellent fuel efficiency and easy entry thanks to its car-based architecture.
Inside, the five-door Orlando is designed to meet the needs of families and those who need plenty of seating capacity with adaptable, theater-style seating in three rows that comfortably accommodate up to seven occupants. Whenever load carrying becomes a priority, the spacious cabin can be quickly transformed into a large cargo area. A generous 2,760 mm wheelbase and wide front and rear tracks provide Orlando with outstanding interior roominess.
Chevrolet's latest-generation, 2.0-liter turbo diesel, developing 150 hp/110 kW and 320 Nm of torque, provides a powerful and efficient powertrain.
Strong Design Statement
Orlando takes Chevrolet's design into the multi-purpose vehicle segment. The front features the brand's signature twin-port grille and the large, sweeping headlamp housings seen on the Cruze. It also incorporates a concave shoulder line that extends along the body into the wraparound tail lights, another design feature from the Cruze that will distinguish future-generation Chevrolet products.
This distinctive look is complemented by the flared fender lines, defining a 'wheels-out/body-in' stance that visually lowers the higher roof line. The ice-blue theme for instrument illumination is also used on the exterior of Orlando in the laser-etched surfacing of the headlamps, tail lights and full-length glass roof.
Inside, Orlando features Chevrolet's 'dual cockpit' design theme, with grained, dark grey accents extending outwards either side of the center stack.
The cabin is designed to meet the demands of families and those who need plenty of seating capacity with infotainment options and navigation. Overhead, a storage compartment extends along the center of the roof, providing useful stowage space for rear passengers. Design details include a center stack recess to hold a personal device/MP3 player when it is connected to the USB or Aux ports. Further storage space is provided inside the floor console, the second row center arm-rest and under the floor in the rear.
The raised roof enables a theater-style seating layout. It provides all occupants, particularly children, with an improved view inside and outside the vehicle, while enabling conversation between all those on board.
Adaptable Interior
A generous 2,760 mm wheelbase, 75 mm longer than that of the new Cruze sedan, and front and rear tracks 40 mm and 30 mm wider, provide Orlando with seating and cargo-carrying space that is among best-in-class for compact MPVs.
It is a true seven-seater, with second and third row legroom of 950 mm and 753 mm, respectively. The reverse faces of these seat backs are covered in a tough, metal finish and can be folded completely flat for easy loading. A range of occupant and load-carrying configurations is provided by 60/40 second-row and 50/50 third-row split folding seating.
"We focused on giving Orlando a strong, robust appearance," says Designer Seungwoo Kim. "It draws on Chevrolet's tradition for honest, simple design, while at the same time extending our new design language into the compact multi-purpose vehicle segment."

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
EJinID 12:20PM (10/02/2008)
This would be a PERFECT replacement for my aging Pacifica. Great looking people mover and even though the blue highlights are great on the show car, I would prefer to see a potential production version brought to the states without the accessory lighting.
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oldraven 2:22PM (10/02/2008)
I said it before, and I'll say it again. ;)
One cool thing that is obvious here but they're not saying is the real powerplant. Solar panels on the roof, the same 'black-glass-going-from-roof-to-rear-vertical' design element as the Volt, blue lighting (blue in Europe has the same social connotation as green does in North America when it comes to cars) everywhere, and a longitudinally mounted four cylinder on a platform designed to take a transverse four, and not in the centre of the engine bay by a long shot, just like the Volt, to make room for the electric drive motor.
This is the Volt CUV. The Volt will be the one they end up selling for as little as possible, whilst they make a profit on bigger, more desirable but still environmentally friendly new hit cars. It's going to work well, if the world economy doesn't go to hell.
As for the diesel engine to run a generator. I've been calling that since the first time I read about GM's E-flex plans. A diesel can be extremelly small and have massive torque to run any generator at any load. You should see how tiny the 3-cyl diesel is in my Father's small Ford tractor. 4x4 and I've seen it pull stumps with ease. Best of all, it uses far less fuel than a gas engine of much larger size that is built for horsepower, which is useless in this application. The added torque and thus increase in power generated means that an even larger battery pack can be used in the Orlando, for increased all electric range, and can also lead to a quicker charge, meaning the engine would not only be more efficient whilst running, but wouldn't have to run as long.
7 seats! I'm excited about this thing now. GM, bring it here!
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Woodenbee 2:33PM (10/02/2008)
Wow Chevy's come a long way from ad's featuring their cars careening to the front of a bicycle race to show how tough on frenchie's they are, of course their truck ad's still feature Bushisms like "mission accomplished" but hey I've got a short memory,
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Bill 3:17PM (10/02/2008)
So, no plans to bring the fuel-sipping 2L diesel to the U.S.?
Just the gasoline-electric hybrid systems (and possibly the Volt's EV drive)?
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oldraven 6:28PM (10/02/2008)
I don't think you could interpret this layout in any other way. We're talking about the Delta II platform, which since the beginning was meant to have a transverse FWD setup. The only other time I've seen a longitudinal engine (also sitting well to the passenger side of the engine compartment) in a Delta car was with the Volt. Photovoltaic Cells beside the point.
The cargo floor looks a fair bit like a circuit board too. ;)