In 2006, at the Geneva Motor Show , Daewoo, a Korean division of General Motors, demonstrated the Chevrolet Epica. The assembly of the model was carried out in Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, South Korea and Kaliningrad. In 2008, a restyling of the sedan was carried out, as a result of which the model received an updated rear part, a bumper, lights and a dashboard.
Chevrolet Epica can be attributed to business class sedans with a body length of 4.8 meters. Owners in reviews of the Chevrolet Epic note the practical and spacious interior of the car with a fairly high-quality finish. The luggage compartment of the sedan is roomy: the volume is 480 liters.
The basic configuration of the model includes the most necessary options: air conditioning, central locking, ABS, power steering, side and front airbags, power windows. In the top versions, parking sensors, automatic climate control and ESP are available.
Range of motors
A number of Chevrolet Epica engines supplied to the Russian market included two six-cylinder power units with a volume of 2 and 2.5 liters and a capacity of 143 and 156 horsepower, respectively.
Both engines were equipped with a timing chain drive and hydraulic valve clearance compensators. The working resource of the timing drive is 250-300 thousand kilometers, while the compensator does not have such a service life.
The lateral placement of the engines was made possible in many respects thanks to their compact dimensions, despite the fact that the cylinders in them have a linear arrangement. The development of power units was carried out jointly with Porsche, but this did not exclude problems requiring the repair of the Chevrolet Epica.
Often, an overhaul of the engine is required, which is caused by scoring on the cylinder walls. A similar problem is often encountered by car owners with a two-liter V6, as noted in their reviews of the Chevrolet Epic. This happens due to a clogged catalyst and its subsequent destruction, as a result of which the remains of the part get into the cylinders.
After 150-200 thousand kilometers traveled, engine oil consumption begins to increase. It is not always possible to solve the problem by replacing the valve stem seals. The main reason lies, as a rule, in the occurrence of piston rings.
Crankshaft liners begin to crank after 200-250 thousand mileage, as noted in the reviews of the Chevrolet Epic. The reason is the oil pump, which wedges under the influence of high temperatures. The elimination of such a malfunction will cost at least 40 thousand rubles.
The 2.5-liter engine is considered the most problematic. The cylinder walls of such a motor have a nickel coating, which begins to peel off over time, which indirectly may indicate too high a heat load. Poor fuel only exacerbates the problem. The problem is eliminated only by overhaul, coupled with sleeve, which will cost the owner of the Chevrolet Epica at least 100 thousand rubles.
After the first hundred thousand kilometers, problems begin with the pipes of the cooling system, expansion tank, thermostat, water pump and radiator.
Many Chevrolet Epica owners in their reviews note that it is not necessary to tighten the drain plug of the engine crankcase with force, otherwise the crankcase may burst.
Transmission
The two-liter engine was equipped with five-speed mechanics and automatic transmission. Chevrolet Epica with a 2.5-liter engine was equipped only with an automatic transmission. After restyling in 2006, the model became equipped with a six-speed automatic.
The manual suffers from a crunch when engaging first and second gears. The owners of the 2010 and 2011 Chevrolet Epica note that the first or fourth gear is often knocked out, which is associated with poor-quality assembly and manifests itself in the warranty period. Despite this, similar problems remain after 50-100 thousand run.
The Japanese company Aisin Warner worked on the development of a five-speed automatic transmission. The weak point of the transmission is solenoids, which quite often fail after 100-150 thousand kilometers. Problems with the valve body are somewhat less common. The box’s working life can be increased due to timely replacement of transmission fluid, otherwise, after 150 thousand mileage, a major overhaul will be required.
The six-band automatic transmission was developed by General Motors engineers. In terms of reliability, the box is significantly inferior to Japanese counterparts: after the first 50 thousand mileage, car owners are faced with problems. Most often, the drive seal begins to flow. Depreciation of the torque converter and solenoids occurs after 70-100 thousand, it is extremely rare to encounter the destruction of the circlip or wave spring.
Depreciation of the outer CV joint, as noted by the owners of the car in Chevrolet Epic reviews, occurs after 100 thousand kilometers. Replacement will cost three thousand rubles.
Car chassis
It is equipped with a Chevrolet Epic independent suspension. Correcting the trajectory is easy, despite the fact that the steering wheel is quite light. The rolls in corners are quite significant, and the shock absorbers do not completely absorb the roughness of the road, as a result of which the car often jumps on them.
Despite its pretty good performance, the Chevrolet Epica is no longer a durable suspension. Depreciation of the front shock absorbers and silent blocks of the rear levers occurs after 50-100 thousand kilometers. The service life of the rear shock absorbers and front levers is slightly longer and amounts to 100-150 thousand kilometers.
Replacing the front wheel bearings is required after 80-120 thousand kilometers, the rear bearings will last longer - about 150 thousand kilometers. Bearings cannot be replaced separately: they come complete with a hub.
The owners of the Chevrolet Epica in the reviews note that after 100 thousand kilometers the steering rack begins to knock. Its replacement will cost 30 thousand rubles, a complete overhaul - only 11 thousand.
Given the large number of malfunctions that have to be encountered after 50-100 thousand kilometers, it is not surprising that many motorists resort to tuning the Chevrolet Epica in an attempt to eliminate such shortcomings.
Other malfunctions and problems of the car
The body has a very thin and delicate paintwork, but does not have a tendency to corrosion, which is an undoubted plus. After two or three winters, traces of bloating appear on the trunk lid and hood, and the Chevrolet logo on the grille also loses its aesthetic appearance.
Often, after 100-150 thousand kilometers, problems with parking sensors, a generator and an air conditioning compressor begin. Closer to 200 thousand mileage the motor of the stove fails - the thermistor burns out or the brushes wear out.
Advantages of the Chevrolet Epic
They are as follows:
- Spacious lounge.
- Attractive exterior.
- Comfortable suspension.
Car disadvantages
In the reviews there are complaints about:
- Electronics malfunctioning.
- Poor quality paintwork.
- A small working resource of the suspension.
Summary
To date, the Chevrolet Epica is a very good sedan with an attractive exterior, practical interior and good technical specifications. Due to the fact that the car’s suspension does not have a special life expectancy, motorists often resort to tuning the Chevrolet Epic.
The average cost of a car varies from 250 to 600 thousand rubles, depending on the mileage and general condition.