Make-over for Epica
Holden has ditched the underpowered 2.0-litre six, but introduced diesel power and six-speed automatics to the upgraded Epica rangeOne sure way to fire up sales in the current climate of high fuel prices is to offer buyers a lot of car for not much money -- and ensure it's powered by a diesel engine.
Holden has done exactly that, matching a diesel engine to a new, six-speed automatic transmission in both CDX and CDXi grades of the mid-size Epica. Not a particularly strong seller for Holden, the Epica now has the torque (320Nm) to overcome any objections that it's sluggish.
The 2.5-litre inline six remains on offer, but the 2.0-litre petrol engine, which was only available with a five-speed manual transmission, is no longer available.
Unlike the 2.5, the diesel is a four-cylinder developing 110kW of power and capable of achieving fuel consumption as low as 7.6L/100km in combined cycle testing.
Both engines are coupled to six-speed automatic transmissions. With the new transmission, the petrol engine returns a fuel consumption figure of 9.3L/100km, in accordance with ADR81/01.
Standard stability control and side curtain airbags (taking the total number of airbags to six) are new inclusions for the whole Epica range. Visual changes to distinguish the upgraded model from the original are limited to a revised grille, restyled rear-end and a new design of alloy wheels.
All models gain tilt-and-reach steering adjustment and 'flip' keys.
Reverse parking sensors were previously an option on the flagship CDXi, but are now standard. The $2000 leather pack option for the Epica CDXi now incorporates front-seat heating.
Despite the upgrade to the six-speed automatic and the changes to the car's equipment, Holden has left the Epica's pricing unchanged for the 2.5-litre automatic variants carried over from the superseded model -- in both CDX and CDXi variants.
The new diesel is competitively priced at $2000 more than the 2.5-litre petrol equivalents. Pricing starts at $27,990 for the CDX 2.5 and runs through $29,990 for the diesel CDX, $30,990 for the CDXi 2.5 and $32,990 for the diesel CDXi.
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