Chevrolet updates Lumina

The Chev Lumina SS, about as subtle as a drunk Joan Rivers, has similarly gone under the knife and emerged with a refreshed face and rear end for 2011. While the 6.0-litre V8 all-aluminium engine and 6-speed automatic or manual transmission remains unchanged (270 kW and 530Nm at the rear wheels should still prove sufficient for most), General Motors South Africa has introduced some subtle changes to the overall specification levels and some modest changes to the exterior and interior styling of both the Ute and sedan versions.

The front of the Lumina features a revised bumper and air dam as well as new styling treatments for the fog lights and headlamps. A chrome strip is added to the boot lid just above the number plate on the sedan, while the rear tailgate moulding on the Ute now matches the body colour. The 18-inch diameter alloys have been replaced with something a bit fresher to spin the 245/45 rubber.

More significant revisions have been made inside; the instrument cluster and the centre console have been revised, the audio system is now a touch screen affair with USB and Bluetooth/cellphone functionality, and satellite infotainment controls have been added to the steering wheel.

Chevrolet have added roof airbags to the Lumina Ute which earned it a maximum five star safety rating from the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP), making it the safest LCV in the country. This addition brings it in line with the safety features found in the Lumina sedan, with six airbags now standard on both. Other safety

features are ABS braking with Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD) and Electronic Stability Programme (ESP), traction control and an advanced linear control suspension system.

Unchanged spec levels on both the sedan and Ute include leather seats; dual zone climate control air conditioning; power windows and side mirrors; sports contoured seats with 4-way electronic adjustment and lumbar adjustment for the driver’s seat; cruise control; central locking with immobiliser/panic/alarm system; and sports alloy pedals. A driver information centre in the instrument cluster provides trip, vehicle and audio information.

A more subtle change is the addition of a “V” to the Lumina’s nomenclature, changing the model designation from “SS” to “SSV”, which brings the South African models in line with global naming of other “V” Luminas across the international range.

The Lumina SSV sedan retails for R441 930 in auto form while the manual comes in at R444 390. The auto and manual Lumina SSV Ute both retail for R413 700. All models come standard with GM’s 5 year/120 000km warranty with Roadside Assistance. A 3 year/60 000km Service Plan is included in the purchase price. Service intervals are set at 15 000km or 1 year.

- Kevin Willemse