Photo by Mario James
The 2008 Chevrolet Epica, available at GM Challenger for $2.4 million.

Mario James, Gleaner Writer

Last year, when Automotives did GM Challenger's Chevy Epica, we wondered how well it would do in the marketplace. At the time, it had the engineering, the space and the driving experience to compete with the likes of the Toyota Camry, the Honda Accord. The Corolla and Civic were non-issues because there is no six-cylinder in their line-up. But the stigma of being a non-Japanese product has hurt it, as it did not readily take the market.

For $2.4 million, Epica comes with a two-litre inline six with 148 horses - a five-per-cent increase from last year. It also has 134 lb ft of torque (no earth-shattering changes in this department). But the six cylinder has not lost any of it smoothness, either. So smooth it is that twice this tester has tried to start it with the engine already running (sorry Mr Pagon!). Camry has 164 ponies, but also has 400 cc more displacement; last year's 2.0-litre Accord engine had 150 hp, a two-horse advantage. However, balance shaft technology is needed to control the out-of-balance forces generated by these four cylinders. Epica's inline six, however, has perfect primary balance; the engine is as sweet as it ever was.

Decent fuel economy

And it has pretty decent fuel economy too, returning 23 mpg around town and 28 on the urban trek with a sultry performance growl that is always reminding its driver that this is no ordinary engine. Swing the tach needle past four grand and the purr becomes a roar, its tuneful induction harmonic inspiring the driver not to lift.

The car pushes at the limit (with all that engineering up front, the laws of physics must be obeyed!) However, Epica lets the driver know ahead of time just where the limits are through its wonderfully communicative steering. The ride is so supple, its four wheel independent suspension soundlessly absorbing most road irregularities with aplomb. Freeways are this car's forte, with its four gear automatic providing seamless shifting duties. Torque, which this 4,000-lb vehicle does not have a lot of, is of secondary import in this environment - horsepower needed to pass lumbering trucks and stuff - in this element, Epica fares really well, the 50-70 mph sprint dispatched in well under 12 seconds. The Chevy does the 60 in nine seconds, with much of the charge being produced at the top end after the one-two shift.

Epica continues its winning ways inside as well. The interior at this price is clad in leather. The dash, though plastic, is very good. Storage bins are placed strategically throughout the car, with a multiplicity of cup holders and pleasing chrome accents adding a finished look to the cabin. And it is positively huge! Interior dimensions surpass that of a five series in both front and rear. The trunk is so large it could serve as a private hideaway.

Unbelievable value

So we have a bit of an enigma, here. On the one hand, we have unbelievable value (transverse inline two-litre six, leather interior, four-wheel disc brakes that do not fade (despite repeated panic stops down the Red Hills route), looks that appeal to gas station attendants islandwide, and one of the most endearing suspensions this side of a Jaguar, all for 2.4 million. On the other hand, there is the, antiquated, now undeserved reputation about American vehicles. Good engineering does not hide behind a badge; metal does not know who formed it. This car is not sold in the United States; it is a 'world' car, produced by GM's Daewoo plant in Korea, and is, being distributed in Australia Europe and New Zealand. It's got the goods, and should be judged on its merits, not on mistakes made more than two generations ago. Bang for buck, this is the best family-sized vehicle value around.

mario.james@gleanerjm.com