Chevrolet Orlando to star at the Mondial de l'Automobile

Chevrolet will be presenting on September 30 at the the Mondial de l'Automobile the Orlando, the brand’s first MPV for the European market. The new model will be one of four world premieres at the show.

The Chevrolet Orlando is based on the show car concept presented in Paris in 2008. As a family car the MPV combines the 7-seater practicality and interior flexibility with a crossover style design.

In terms of design the new compact MPV from Chevrolet tries to run away from the plain designs common in the segment with the low roofline and crossover inspired silhouette. Still it keeps the distinctive and recognizable Chevrolet 'face' characterized by the split radiator grille and bow-tie badge.

The muscular, protruding wheel-arches housing the wheels are a complement of the Orlando's low roof line.

According to Wayne Brannon, president and managing director for Chevrolet Europe the new Orlando MPV is part of Chevrolet's continued product offensive in Europe. "The new Orlando MPV kicks off an ambitious seven-product launch program over the next 15 months.

Inside the Orlando features the latest design cues from Chevrolet such as the Corvette inspired dual cockpit and ambient blue backlighting to the centre console. The theatre style seating arrangement of the Orlando's three rows of seats, the load area and the storage solutions are other features that should call customers attention.

With the seats Chevrolet’s designers managed to raise the second and third row seats meaning that the Orlando’s passengers get an even better view both forwards and to the side. With many seating configurations possible, the Orlando can quickly become the most voluminous MPVs in the class in terms of carrying loads.

The Orlando is based on Chevrolet's successful and award winning Cruze saloon and will be available with one petrol engine, a 1.8 litre with power output of 141 hp and two diesel units, and two 2.0 diesel engines with outputs of 131hp or 163 hp.

Full production of the Chevrolet Orlando starts in October with the car going on sale across Europe in early 2011.