The new Chevy City Express has been something of a myth since being announced last year about this time. A rebadged version of the Nissan NV200, the City Express plugs the low-price gap in the Chevy commercial lineup at a critical time. The Ram ProMaster City and the new Ford Transit Connect are both strong competitors in this small-van segment, so the City Express is a stopgap measure for Chevy.
Pricing seems ambitious, with a base of $23,000 for the LS and about $25,000 for the LT model. The van is identical to the Nissan, but actually looks much, much better than the NV200. It suffers from less of the dunkbill front overhang versus the NV200, and will likely deliver good sales volume of 20 – 30,000 units based on the strength of Chevrolet’s fleet sales network alone.
One trim tip for sanity? The LT versus the LS – which makes such basics as cruise control optional features.
Lastly, for eager drivers or just-in-time delivery drivers? We’d highly recommend the Ford Transit Connect Cargo instead.
You can play around with the graphics configurator at the below link, and expect the City Express to be in Chevy dealers and fleet order books by mid November.
http://www.chevrolet.com/city-express-small-van
2015 Chevrolet City Express
Chevrolet Announces 2015 City Express Pricing
DETROIT – The 2015 Chevrolet City Express LS – the brand’s first entry in the small cargo van segment – will have a starting price of $22,950, including a $995 destination charge but excluding tax, title, license and dealer fees.
The City Express features a standard 2.0L dual-overhead cam inline-four-cylinder engine with continuously variable valve timing rated at 131 horsepower and 139 lb-ft of torque. It has 122.7 cubic feet of customizable cargo space, a tight turning diameter of 36.7 feet and an estimated payload capacity of 1,500 pounds.
“The Chevrolet City Express offers business customers the functionality and dependability they need to get the job done and the long-term customer service and support from Chevrolet they’ve come to expect,” said Ed Peper, U.S. vice president, GM Fleet & Commercial.
Standard features on the LS model include dual rear sliding doors, power windows, 40/60 split rear cargo doors that open 90 and 180 degrees, solid rear doors with available tinted-glass windows, center console storage with a standard file folder bin, fold-down mobile workspace passenger seat, 20 interior cargo-mounting points, six floor-mounted D-rings, six exterior roof rack mounting points, vinyl flooring, a 150-amp alternator and a 12-volt power outlet.
The 2015 Chevrolet City Express LT starts at $24,510, including destination charges but excluding tax, title, license and dealer fees. Standard features on the LT model, and available on the LS, include cruise control, Bluetooth connectivity and backup sensors. Remote keyless entry with an automatic locking feature and heated, power-adjustable outside mirrors also are standard on the LT.
Available on LT models is a technology package with a 5.8-inch diagonal touch-screen radio, navigation, Sirius/XM Satellite Radio with a three-month trial, Bluetooth connectivity, a USB input jack and a rearview camera system.
The City Express will arrive at Chevrolet dealers early in the fourth quarter.
Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world’s largest car brands, doing business in more than 140 countries and selling more than 4.9 million cars and trucks a year. Chevrolet provides customers with fuel-efficient vehicles that feature spirited performance, expressive design, and high quality. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.
2015 CHEVROLET CITY EXPRESS SPECIFICATIONS
Overview
Model: |
Chevrolet City Express |
Body style / driveline: |
small van, front-engine/front-wheel drive |
Construction: |
body-frame integral |
EPA vehicle class: |
van |
Key competitors: |
Ford Transit Connect, RAM Cargo Van |
Manufacturing location: |
Cuernavaca, Mexico |
Engine
|
|
2.0L DOHC I-4 |
Displacement (cu in / cc): |
122 / 1997 |
Bore and stroke (in / mm): |
3.31 x 3.55 / 84 x 90.1 |
Block material: |
cast aluminum |
Cylinder head material: |
cast aluminum |
Valvetrain: |
dual overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder |
Ignition system: |
coil on plug |
Fuel delivery: |
sequential multi-port fuel injection |
Compression ratio: |
9.7:1 |
Horsepower (hp / kW @ rpm): |
131 / 98 @ 5200 |
Torque (lb-ft / Nm @ rpm): |
139 / 188 @ 4800 |
Max engine speed (rpm): |
6400 |
Recommended fuel: |
regular unleaded |
Emissions controls: |
three-way catalytic converter; PCV, evaporative collection system |
EPA fuel economy (city / hwy): |
TBD |
Transmission
Type: |
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) |
Gear ratio range: (:1) |
|
Forward: |
2.631-0.378 |
Reverse: |
0.745 |
Final drive ratio: |
4.828 |
Chassis/Suspension
Front: |
MacPherson strut with coil-over spring; twin-tube dampers and stabilizer bar |
Rear: |
solid axle with multi-leaf springs, twin-tube shock absorbers |
Steering type: |
electric power-assisted, variable-ratio rack-and-pinion |
Steering ratio: |
18.3:1 |
Steering wheel turns, lock-to-lock: |
3.59 |
Turning circle, curb-to-curb (ft / m): |
36.7 / 11.2 |
Brakes
Type: |
front vented discs and rear drums, with stability control system that includes anti-lock, brake assist system and electronic brake force distribution |
Brake rotor diameter x thickness
|
11.14 x 1.10 / 283 x 28 |
Drum diameter (in / mm) : |
9 / 228 |
Wheels/Tires
Wheels: |
15 x 5.5-in steel (std.)
|
Tires: |
P185/60R15 |
Exterior
Wheelbase (in / mm): |
115.2 / 2925 |
Overall length (in / mm): |
186.3 / 4732 |
Overall width (in / mm): |
68.1 / 1730 |
Overall height (in / mm): |
73.7 / 1872 |
Approach angle (degrees): |
17.3 |
Departure angle (degrees): |
24.8 |
Track (in / mm): |
front: 60 / 1524
|
Curb weight (lb / kg): |
3252 / 1475 |
Minimum ground clearance
|
front: 6.5 / 164
|
Step-in height (in / mm): |
front doors: 14.8 / 376
|
Cargo area lift-over height
|
21.1 / 536 |
Interior
Seating capacity: |
2 |
Headroom (in / mm): |
41.7 / 1059 |
Legroom (in / mm): |
42.6 / 1082 |
Shoulder room (in / mm): |
54.1 / 1374 |
Hip room (in / mm): |
51.3 / 1303 |
Cargo area length (in / mm): |
82.8 |
Cargo area width (in / mm): |
54.8 / 1392 (wall to wall)
|
Cargo area height (in / mm): |
53 / 1346 |
Passenger volume (cu ft / L) : |
55.6 / 1574 |
Cargo volume (cu ft / L): |
122.7 / 3475 |
|
|
Fuel tank (gal / L): |
14.5 / 54.9 |
Engine oil (qt / L): |
5 / 4.7 |
Cooling system (qt / L): |
8 / 7.5 |
Curb weight (lb / kg): |
3270 / 1483 – LS
|
Maximum payload (lb / kg): |
1500 / 680 |
GVWR (lb / kg): |
4751 / 2155 |
*Cooling capacity higher with fuel-operated heater.
Note: Information shown is current at time of publication.
Tom Burkart is the founder and managing editor of Car-Revs-Daily.com, an innovative and rapidly-expanding automotive news magazine.
He holds a Journalism JBA degree from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Tom currently resides in Charleston, South Carolina with his two amazing dogs, Drake and Tank.
Mr. Burkart is available for all questions and concerns by email Tom(at)car-revs-daily.com.