The Chevrolet Matiz is no Maserati. The only thing a Matiz and a Maserati have in common is the acclaimed Giugiaro designed them both. The Chevrolet Matiz is fun to drive. Driving pleasure is a combination of driver comfort, engine performance and secure handling. Here we look at engine options and their performance.
You only get a 0.8 or 1.0 litre petrol engine in a Matiz. Let’s compare it with the new Chevrolet Captiva 2.4 petrol engine. The Matiz 1.0 litre puts out 65 PS. The Captiva is 136 PS. So in terms of power per litre the 1.0 is more efficient than the 2.4 per litre.
What about their power per weight ratio? The Chevrolet Matiz kerb weight is 850 kg. Chevrolet Captiva 2.4 LS 5-speed manual 5-seat has a kerb weight of 1665. Nothing in it. The Captiva has twice the power but it’s near twice the weight of a Matiz.
It’s no Maserati but the Chevrolet Matiz is efficient.
The Chevrolet Matiz is available as:
The Chevrolet Matiz 0.8 S
The Chevrolet Matiz 0.8 SE Automatic
The Chevrolet Matiz 1.0 SE and SE +
The Chevrolet Matiz 0.8
The 0.8 is a 3-cylinder single overhead camshaft 6-valve engine displacing 796 cc. It’s fuelled by multi-point injection. Maximum torque of 71.5 Nm is produced at 4400 revs per minute. 51 PS is produced at 6000rpm. Top speed is 90 mph with 0-60 mph in 18.2 seconds for the 5-speed manual, 21.9 seconds for the 5-speed automatic.
The Chevrolet Matiz 1.0
The 1.0 is a 4-cylinder single overhead camshaft 8-valve engine displacing 995 cc. It’s fuelled by multi-point injection. Maximum torque of 91 Nm is produced at 4200 revs per minute. 65 PS is produced at 5400 rpm. Top speed is 97 mph with 0-60 mph in 14.1 seconds.
The performance figures remind me of a Morris Oxford I used to own. The driver experience is something different. The Chevrolet Matiz feels really nippy as you buzz about the city streets. You feel alive. You feel in control. Nipping by £50,000 cars is really satisfying. A test drive will demonstrate more.
Ralph Spence
http://www.chevroletreviewsandprices.co.uk/
