General Motors South Africa (GMSA) has introduced some subtle changes to the iconic Chevrolet Lumina SS sedan and Ute for 2011. The changes include upgrades to the vehicle’s specification and changes to the exterior and interior styling of both vehicles.
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 is now finished in body colour. The design of the massive 18 inch diameter alloy rims has also been refreshed. The tyre specification remains unchanged at 245/45 R18.
A more subtle change is the addition of a V to the nomenclature changing the model designation from SS to SSV to bring the South African models in line with naming of other V series vehicles in the Lumina range.
Significant revisions have been made to the instrument cluster and the centre console of the Lumina. The audio system has been upgraded to include a USB socket and advanced Bluetooth functionality – including mobile phone connectivity. The system features satellite controls on the steering wheel and touchscreen controls via the audio display screen.
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. The addition of the roof air bags to the ute brings it in line with the safety features found in the Lumina sedan with six airbags now standard on both.
The Lumina’s 6-litre V8 all aluminium engine remains unchanged with a maximum of 270 kW and a massive 530 Nm of torque driving the rear wheels via either a 6-speed manual transmission or a 6-speed automatic gearbox.
The Lumina SS sedan and Ute come standard with high levels of spec which includes: 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; and sports alloy pedals. A driver information centre in the instrument cluster provides trip, vehicle and audio information.
Safety features include a six-airbag system, including roof airbags, on both the sedan and the Ute as well as ABS braking with Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD) and Electronic Stability Programme (ESP). Traction control and cruise control are fitted across the range. Handling is enhanced by the advanced linear control suspension system.
Central locking with auto-lock is a standard feature as is an alarm immobiliser system. The alarm system includes a panic alarm.
The Lumina SS sedan retails for R441 930 (auto) and R444 390 (manual). The auto and manual Lumina SS 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.
About General Motors – General Motors Company (NYSE: GM, TSX: GMM), one of the world’s largest automakers, traces its roots back to 1908. With its global headquarters in Detroit, GM employs 209,000 people in every major region of the world and does business in more than 120 countries. GM and its strategic partners produce cars and trucks in 31 countries, and sell and service these vehicles through the following brands: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, Daewoo, Holden, Isuzu, Jiefang, Opel, Vauxhall, and Wuling. GM’s largest national market is China, followed by the United States, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, and Russia.
