Chevrolet Utility

Gone are the days where a South African “bakkie” was tasked with merely transporting workers and their equipment to and from site. It has become a status symbol, whereby these workhorses must play a double role – workman from nine till five, funky runabout for all those concerned thereafter.

Take Chevrolet’s new Utility for example. It has undergone such a large shift it even has a new badge (previously branded as an Opel Corsa Utility). Interested to see what all the fuss was about, I rang up Chev and asked if I could have a go in their little “half tonner”.

First thing to note is that Chev has upped the rating on the Utility, which is now commissioned to carry a load of 750kg – and that’s quite a lot in a vehicle with just 68kW and 120Nm under the bonnet. The modest 1.4 litre motor in Base spec remains largely unchanged from the outgoing model, which is a slight worry when you consider that fully loaded the Utility weighs some 70% more than with an empty bin.

None-the-less I can’t say I noticed a distinct lack of power while bustling around town with an empty bin, mostly because of the how the gear ratios have been set up. Get out on the open road and it’s much of the same, with enough grunt to brave the fast lane on occasion; however all of a sudden those short gear ratios present themselves as a blaring racquet inside the cabin as the four pistons seemingly attempt a violent escape from the engine block.

From behind the wheel the Utility feels much the same as most entry level hatch backs thanks to a MacPherson-type suspension geometry up front and a semi-independent trailing arm system at the rear. Due to its ability to carry a load the result is of course a firm ride – unless you through some weight in the bin – but not uncomfortably so. Although designed and engineered in Brazil, a local technical team have fine tuned the Utility to South African road conditions in order to provide this compromise.

Step inside the Chev and you’re met with a façade that lives up to modern day expectations. Smatterings of chrome highlight adorn various panels and dials around the cabin, along with creature comforts such as air-conditioning, CD player, cup holders and even a little LCD monitor to display the air-flow settings. The neatly stitched seats are especially comfortable for a vehicle in this segment and fold down to reveal a 165 litre cavern for more valuable luggage.

The Utility’s sweeping redesign blows away any preconceived styling notions in the light commercial vehicle sector. The trademark Chevrolet grille boldly presents itself as the centre piece of the Utility’s front end – leaving the headlights no choice but to supersize themselves just to keep in proportion. Every angle poses a new crease or line, not to mention the Mario Balotelli inspired mohawk bulge in the roof, providing the Utility with that sort after funky nature.

While this might be refreshing in principle, much like short shorts and luminescent vests I fear it’s a little too much for my taste. However with the ever increasing number I see on the roads it would appear Chevrolet has identified with their target market exceptionally well. The recent withdrawal of the Ford Bantam leaves Nissan’s NP200 and the Fiat Strada to fight the “half tonner” battle. Next to either the Utility is just a far more progressive and dynamic offering – one I cannot see beaten. 

Price: R 123,600
Engine: 1389cc four cylinder SOHC petrol
Power: 68 kW
Torque: 120 Nm
Fuel consumption (l/100km): 7.2 (claimed)

Miles Downard
* First published in Autodealer KZN – South on 17 January 2012