HOLDEN’S rebadged Daewoo, dubbed Epica, consolidates the company’s dependence on Korea as the source of much of its current product range. If you can forget about the fact that the Epica is essentially a Daewoo model first introduced in Korea seven years ago, it is actually a good-looking, very competitively-priced rival for Toyota Camry, Mazda6, Subaru Liberty and Honda Accord. As a legacy of the Europeanising of Daewoo by chairman Ulrich Bez in the late 1990s, the Epica may not be as adventurously stylish as the Opel-based Vectra that it replaces, but is well balanced and good-looking enough to compete in what is proving to be an interesting segment of the Australian new-car market. And the mechanicals are interesting, too, with a transverse, inline six-cylinder developed by Porsche during the Bez reign, as well as a competent, all-independent suspension. The only problem is that, while the new engine – particularly in 2.0-litre form – is impressively frugal, it is also unimpressively reluctant to accelerate with any vigour.
Holden Vectra
Released: March 2003
Ended: December 2006
Family Tree: EpicaEurope's Opel-built Vectra was the last mid-sized vehicle sold in Australia by Holden. The latest ZC-series model was launched here in March 2003 in both four-door sedan and five-door hatchback bodystyles. As with Epica, the range comprised base CD, mid-spec (hatch-only) CDX and flagship CDXi variants. The CD was powered by GM's 108kW/203Nm 2.2-litre DOHC four-cylinder, while CDX and CDXi variants scored a 155kW/300Nm 3.2-litre DOHC V6 - also mated to five-speed manual and automatic transmissions. High pricing between $34,000 and $50,000 saw sales slow to a trickle by 2006.
Road Test
Facebook Twitter Instagram