2007 Holden Epica – Korean Goodness
February 5, 2007 by Alborz Fallah
Previously when we wrote a bit about the Holden Epica, it caused a little bit of a storm, readers argued amongst themselves as to why Holden continues to bring out Korean made vehicles with a Holden badge stuck on. Anyway, last friday at the Brisbane International Motorshow, the Epica was unveiled, and my god was it ugly!
The Epica which goes on sale in early April 2007, will be available in two variants (CDX and CDXi) with a choice of either a 2.0 or 2.5-litre in-line six cylinder engine, depending on the model. At the motorshow, GM Holden Chairman and Managing Director Denny Mooney was there entertaining us with his Texan accent and trying to convince us that the Epica would offer outstanding value for money, an extremely refined drive and fuel economy comparable to a four cylinder car.
Firstly, if I can point out the obvious, for many years now Holden has been going on about how In-Line six engines are inferior to their V6 engines, obviously a stab at Ford’s Falcon which is competing directly with Holden’s own Commodore. But of course when you start sourcing cars from Korea, you really have no choice in the engine, so if its in-line its good!
Holden still hasn’t released any actual pricing figures, but specifications are a little cleared now. A five-speed manual or automatic transmission will be offered depending on model. Whilst a respectable fuel economy (ADR081/01) of 8.2 litres/100km for the 2.0-litre manual variant and 9.3 litres/100km for the 2.5-litre automatic.
“Epica’s in-line six cylinder engine delivers a very refined and smooth ride and returns better fuel economy than some of the four-cylinder rivals in the mid-size sedan segment.
It has generous interior space, excellent standard specifications and stylish fit and finish. We believe Epica will suit the value end of the mid-size sedan segment but will also be a great alternative to vehicles right throughout that segment.” Mr Mooney said.
Its obvious that these engines are designed for Korean cars, a simple comparison between this car the Toyota’s new Aurion would show a few things, I know the two cars are not in the same class and I am comparing apples and oranges but bare with me for a second.
Toyota’s 3.5L engine in the Aurion puts out 200kWs and 336Nm of torque, and has a fuel economy of 9.9 litres. Whilst the 2.5 litre 6 cylinder engine in the Holden Epica puts out 115kW of power and 237Nm of torque whilst using 9.3 litres. Hmmm? so Mr Mooney’s comments about the epica being refined, are absolute bullocks.
Let me assure all you potential epica buyers, this vehicle is not Australian, it has been given a suspension touch up and a rebadging here in Australia. The actual car is manufactured at GM’s Bupyong plant in South Korea.
Power figures for the two engines are as follows
- 2.0-litre 105kW – 195Nm.
- 2.5- litre 115kW – 237Nm.
The Epica model line up will be:
- 2.0-litre: CDX (manual transmission only)
- 2.5-litre: CDX (automatic transmission only)
An optional pack featuring leather trim (two colour options) will be available on the CDXi.
Holden Epica CDX standard features include:
- 16-inch alloy wheels (15” steel spare)
- front and rear power windows
- cruise control
- air-conditioning
- six-speaker CD audio system (MP3 compatible),
- ABS
- traction control
- front and side airbags for driver and front passenger.
Holden Epica CDXi models include all of the above, plus:
- 17-inch alloy wheels (15” steel spare)
- sports body kit
- climate control air conditioning
- side curtain airbags
- electronic driver information display
- eight-speaker six disc audio system (MP3 compatible)
- front fog lamps
- leather wrap steering wheel and gearshift.
Pricing: For both models it is still not clear as Holden is trying to work out how much the Australian public is willing to pay for their mistakes.
The Epica range will go on sale in April. God help us all.
Print it: 
Holdenwoo, shame on you for giving us more Korean crapness, just can’t be forgiving for making people think this is true blue, this rebadged crapica (disguised daewoo) will NOT mean alot to Australia, at least you are getting 10 year old technology… Fukkkkkkkkk
Well there is a lot of emotion in car choice, and I know for a fact that I’ll never buy a GM product again after my first taste. I was given an EJ for my first car. It seemed like an “old car” at the time, vintage really and I wasn’t too disconcerted when I dicovered that there were absolutely zero parts available for it from Holden. None, zilch nada nothing. However what seemed “old” to a 16 year old kid, now as a 45 year old doesn’t seem that old. The car was at the time only 14 years old. I’ve got 3 registered vehicles right now, none are GM, but my oldest is a suzuki. An import, and currently 22 years old. I live in the country and I’ve found that every single part I’ve ever needed has been delivered to me next business day at the latest and most delivered same day. Not that I’ve needed many parts. This car has *never* failed to get me to my destination *ever*. While my mate’s SV6 commodore spends more time at the dealers than in his garage, and we don’t need to mention the fact that my EJ broke down constantly, over heated when driven at more than 40 miles an hour, was more bog than steel, burned nearly as much oil as petrol and spun a mainbearing three months after getting it back on the road after a ground up rebuild. (ie. it was completely stuffed, I rang a wreckers who took it away for free). You may “love” your holdens, but comparing them to proper cars… They’re just a joke. Especially the “all new” commodore that uses an engine designed before the Vincent Black Shadow….
The car would match up with a taxi driver,with what they charge to go to point A,and B.Just a cheap mock up.
It’s not that the Epica is bad, its just ordinary in most area’s and poor in some. The motor was a bad call, its really just not up to it. The engineering is old and cannot cater for ESP. Handling and feel are also issues.
Holden has done some good work where possible tho, the handling could be much worse, and the suspension does a pretty good job as well in term of ride comfort. The motor is in some circumstances fairly quite and refined, on others the trannie is having a fit.
Daewoo build quality and reliability have mostly always been an issue, partic after 50000 kms as a general rule, when sadly buyers most likely will be out of warranty. It’s not a matter of whether the vehicle has been put together nicely(not to bad from reports) but will is stay together??
Sadly, historical indicators are that it wont.
This is a tarted up Tosca, not a safe as MOST rivals, does not have the handling and power of MOST rivals, does not have the historical build quality and motor reliablilty of MOST rivals. The bottom line engineering on this vehicle is nearly 10 years old. Think about it, does a cheap Korean car loaded with goodies, no engine performance and limited handling abilities sound 90′ish to you guys :)
I have just purchased a epica cdxi. I was actually after the VE but the epica was in a class of it own for the price. the omega didnt have 17′ alloys, leather interior, 6 cd stacker, MP3 compatible, full electrics. you ask most people and they would expect these as common components on a car that is worth 30k+. When i hopped into the VE it just said “basic” but when i sat and then drove the epica it said luxury. For the price of the CDXi you will be hard pressed to find a car that has as many features as it.
I Have also just Purchased an EPICA cdxi
I’m agree with Windy The proofs in the Pudding!
Go for a Test drive before you spray this Value for Money vehicle!
A lot of Toyota’s are made in Thailand as is the Mini Minors etc etc
Most of all you buy these days is out of some Asian Country’s
I’ve been Driving for Thirty Seven Years and have Driven Hundreds of Different Cars and this Epica is up there with the Best!
My Two cents worth
Regards tall poppies.
I feel sorry for all the suckers who have bought the crapica and didn’t do thier homework, now ugly crapica has produced bad sales for Holden and resale value keep’s rocketing down :-)hahahahaha, Ford Mondeo kicks Holden (GM-DAEWOO) ass to the kerb, gee wizz that must hurt….
Dont worry Greg, Holden has great plans that may be better than fords mondeo!
Gregory, can I HAVE SOME OF THOSE DRUGS YOU ARE TAKING?
The epica is an example of devolution, this is car going backwards in time. You were a fool to buy it.
I have an Epica 2008 Model and I have a big complain: after 2-3 km the front wheel (rim) become hot. The dealer said that is normal for this model, but….
Maybe is a bad car.
On the web site I cannot send any complain to manufacture.
Go to consumer affairs Jean.. Holden rebadge cars so it’s not a Holden in the first place it’s called false advertising…
The Epica looks better than the falcon range
“Anyway, last friday at the Brisbane International Motorshow, the Epica was unveiled, and my god was it ugly!”
Sorry CarAdvice but I don’t find this (the Epica) ugly it’s quite good looking!
It’s not awe-inspiring, but it’s hardly ugly. It’s very Camry, Aurion sort of bland.
The AU Falcon, now THAT was ugly.
In my work I get to drive most makes of cars and I was impressed recently by the smoothness and quiteness of the 6 cylinder Holden Epica I has the use of for several days.
It handled undulations and bumps in the road at least as well as any late model Holden or Falcon,was also quieter on the highway as well as being a much cheaper vehicle to purchase.
Maybe It could have done with a bit more power but unless you are a lead foot this would not worry you.
Every day the Epica (Daewoo Tosca) remains on sale it damages the Holden brand further. No ESP even in the “high end” models, dull dreary underpowered engines, dreadful resale values and in terms of ride handling dynamics it is completely outclassed by the competition.