From drive.com.au
Doesn't look too bad IMO, better than the Ka.
Daewoo has shown a near-as-dammit pre-production versions of the Kalos its new small car that goes on sale here in August for around $17,000.
The car was shown in four-door hatchback and five-door notchback versions at the Geneva Motor Show.
Daewoo says the Geneva cars are both "extremely close" to the production versions that go on sale in Korea in the next few weeks.
Yes, things are happening quickly at Daewoo, despite the question marks still over ownership of the car maker. Latest news on that front, by the way, is that the haggling goes on, with GM now saying it wants some but not all of Daewoo's assets.
Daewoo Automotive Australia says the Kalos four- and five-door cars we'll get in August will be joined by a budget three-door version within 12 months.
The production Kalos follows the Kalos Dream concept first shown at last year's Frankfurt Motor Show and subsequently at the Sydney and recent Melbourne motor shows. As you can imagine, these Geneva near-production versions have undergone extensive tweaking since then and all within 12 months.
Apart from their obvious hatchback and notchback differences, the cars shown in Geneva last week were differetiated, front and rear via lights, grille and bumper assemblies.
The sedan looks more conservative than the five-door hatch, thanks partly to the more overtly "sporty" wheels on the latter. Mind you, it remains to be seen just how much of the pizazz of the Geneva show cars ends up on the production models.
Inside, the cars are said to be spacious, modern and practical, with a couple of interesting options being seat back tables and an additional power outlet for rear seat occupants.
Daewoo says yardsticks for chassis development on the car included VW Polo, Peugeot 206 and Opel-sourced Holden Barina.
Wheelbase is in the same ballpark, at 2480mm, and suspension is via MacPherson strut front and torsion beam rear.
Apparently, Daewoo is shooting for a four-star rating in the Euro NCAP tests, thanks partly to what's said to be the sophistication of its multi-load-path (crushable) front structure.
Dual airbags and side 'bags will be available along with electronic pretensioners for the front belts and three-point belts at all five passenger positions. Four-channel anti-lock braking system featuring electronic brake force distribution (EBD) will be optional.
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