Car Moon

We’re not quite sure what to make of this new Chevrolet prototype that was caught by our scoop photographers on European roads. The test vehicle appears to be a small or compact MPV in a taller, SUV-esque design with short overhangs and an upright fascia reminiscent of the latest Chevy models. Our man with the long-lens told us that the camouflaged prototype was clearly smaller than the Orlando people mover that’s offered in Europe.

It could be that Chevrolet is working on a new small crossover model based on an extended version of General Motors’ Gamma II platform. The same architecture underpins the new Chevy Spark and Aveo / Sonic and will also form the base for the future Opel Corsa and its SUV sibling that is currently under development.

The new Chevrolet Orlando compact minivan won't arrive in UK dealerships before Spring of 2011, but the company has already released detailed pricing and specifications. Available in three trim levels and with three engines including two diesel options, the 7-seater MPV will carry a base price of £16,395 (about US$25,400).

The range kicks off with the entry level Orlando LS, which comes equipped with ESC, air conditioning, follow-me-home headlights, electric windows and mirrors, remote central locking, six airbags, three 12v power sockets, tinted windows and an adjustable steering wheel as standard.

Finally, we've got live pics of the new Chevy Orlando. Essentially the General's answer to the European mid-size MPV question, the small, Cruze-based 7-seater had a bunch of promise back when it originally debuted as a concept.

As promised, here are the respective promotional videos of Chevrolet's Paris Motor Show-bound Aveo sub-compact, Captiva 7-seater SUV, Orlando 7-seater MPV and the Cruze five-door hatchback. From these four cars, only the Aveo has been confirmed for the U.S market with sales of both the five-door variant and the yet-to-be-revealed sedan model to start sometime in 2011.

By some act of dark magic, we've found ourselves with some shots of a few upcoming GM Paris debuts. In this case, we're talking about the Orlando compact MPV which comes with stadium seating for seven. Despite its having lost some of the concept's original chunk, the interior is actually quite appealing. As expected, the dash looks very similar to the concept's layout.

The upcoming Orlando minivan, which shares its platform with the Cruze, is another one of Chevrolet's upcoming attempts to rectify its sub-par image as a brand. How has the MPV developed since it debuted as an attractive concept two years ago to woo European car buyers? Well, it still seats seven and will get both gasoline and diesel four-cylinder engines as promised, but unfortunately, it's put on some flab over the concept's original well-toned lines. While GM has yet to release photos of the interior, expect a modern Chevrolet cabin very similar to the concept.

The production version of the all-new Chevrolet Orlando MPV was unwrapped today ahead of its official debut at the at the Mondial de l'Automobile in Paris on September 30. The Detroit firm's first ever entrant in the European minivan segment, which will compete with vehicles such as the Opel Zafira and Mazda5, will enter production in October with European sales to start in early 2011. In a report earlier this year, a GM official said the company has no plans to sell the 7-seater car in the States, though it will be available in Canada.