Holden Epica CDX 2008 review

Holden boss Mark Reuss has announced a bigger economy push, including E85 ethanol, LPG and biofuels.

Drivetrains

But for now, the latest car flying the frugality flag is the mid-sized Epica, with a 2.0-litre common-rail turbo diesel engine developing 110kW at 400rpm and 320Nm at 200rpm joining the range.

The turbocharger’s variable geometry turbine offers high torque at low revs and better efficiency at high speeds, and mated to a six-speed automatic transmission driving the front wheels, the South Korean engine – basically the same as that in the Captiva SUV — delivers 7.6L/100km and complies with Euro IV standards with an emission figure of 210gms/kmCO2.

It has pushed the 2.0-litre petrol engine out of the range, but the 116kW/237Nm 2.5-litre six-cylinder petrol remains, now mated only with the six-speed auto and still returning a fuel figure of 9.3L/100km – although Holden says the new box helps deliver a 14 per cent improvement in fuel economy at highway speeds compared to the outgoing five-speed Aisin transmission.

The weight penalty of the diesel engine is 17kg, but Holden has added speed-sensitive steering to help compensate. The suspension uses McPherson struts in front, and multi-link rear system.

Pricing and Specification

The Epica has been given a slight facelift, with a new grille, alloy wheels, fascia, taillights and boot lid strip. The standard equipment list has been beefed up with automatic headlights and stability control incorporating anti-skid brakes, brake force distribution and traction control, while curtain airbags now bring the count to six.

The upper-spec CDXi gets eight-way adjustable driver’s seat, sports body kit, foglamps and leather on the steering wheel and gearshifter.

The extra spec hasn’t pushed up the pricing, with the base model CDX petrol still sitting at $27,990 and the CDXi at $30,990, while the diesel engine puts a $2000 premium on that.

Driving

There’s no doubt what’s under the bonnet when you turn the key of the diesel Epica, with the diesel clatter clearly evident – although not offputting. The six-speed transmission makes good work of what’s on offer with the diesel – and hugely improves the performance of the 2.5-lite petrol, for that matter.

Where the smaller petrol engine of the previous model had baulked at the thought of steep slopes, both the new drivetrains have no hesitation. And the long-throw, vaguely-slotted manual shifter won’t be missed, either.

When we drove the first Epica in May last year, we decided the larger petrol engine was the best choice. The diesel has changed that opinion, and should end up on a large share of the shopping lists.

This is at a time when mid-sized car sales have been trailing off for a few years, with Camry keeping the lead in a segment that held 14 per cent of the market last year with 92,000 units.

Holden’s Epica sales have been sitting around 300 per month in the good months, dropping to well below 100 – and in the 40s – as supply tightened. If the flow of cars increases, that figure should pick up with the new diesel in the range.