Holden Epica Vectra
September 5, 2006 by Alborz Fallah
Feb 2007 Update: Details of the Holden Epica are available here
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It seems like Holden hasn’t learnt much from its mistakes with the Daewoo sourced Holden Barina selling rather miserably given its 2 star safety rating and the obvious “stick a Holden badge and re-release” attitude that Holden took to selling the car. And in a truly Holden-like fashion, the old General has again turned to South Korea, this time to replace the Holden Vectra.
So what is Holden replacing the Vectra with? Well, what else but the Daewoo Tosca sedan for a currently speculated $24,990 AUD. Look at it! It looks like Holden went back in time to 2001 and stole a car design and brought it back with them. The mid-sized sedan, will be called the Holden Epica and it will become GM Holden’s fourth Daewoo-sourced model to be sold as a Holden, following the Barina baby car, Viva small car and Captiva all-wheel-drive wagon.
Currenly Holden is tight-lipped about the whole deal as information regarding the Epica wasn’t even meant to be released. Nonetheless the internet is a beautiful thing. Holden has never sold too many Vectra’s and although the car looks outstanding (at least from a personal perspective) Holden holds better hopes for the Daewoo built vehicle.
Holden will sell the Epica with a choice of a 2.0-litre V6 (104kW) and a 2.5-litre V6 (115kw). The Current vectra’s power range is from 108kW for the 4 cylinder and 158kW for the V6 variant. The Epica will be front-wheel drive (cringe) and will be mated to either a five-speed manual or five-speed automatic.
Unconfirmed fuel economy figures put the Epica’s 2.0 engine at 8.2 litres/100km for higihway/city. The diesel variant is set for Europe and currently Holden seems to have no plans to bring it down under. The Holden Epica might sound good to Holden but it makes me wonder how well it would do against the likes the Toyota Camry, Hyundai Sonata, Kia Magentis, Mazda6 and Honda Accord.
The standard features for the Holden Epica should include
- alloy wheels
- anti-skid brakes
- dual airbags
- traction control
- electric windows
- cruise control
Expect to see Holden’s new Epica at the Australian Motor Show in Sydney in October.
Print it: 
Matthew, Ford got rid of Kia years ago – it’s now owned by Hyundai. That’s why the Festiva was dropped.
The new Ford Mondeo is based on the same platform as the Mazda6, the Focus on the same one as the Mazda3 – heck, they should build them side by side in Japan, like they did with the Telstar/626 and Laser/323.
Similarly, Daewoo should go back to building Opel designs.
European product, Asian price tag.
Holden made Vectras at their Elizabeth assembly plant for a few years in the late 90’s but stopped because they were not selling enough.
LOOK BELOW THIS IS WHAT HOLDENWOO CRAPICA STANDS FOR
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MAN.. WHAT A JOKE OF A CAR, IMAGINE THE RESALE VALUE 5 YEARS FROM NOW, MAYBE $4000 IF YOUR LUCKY HAHAHAHAHA…. 7-10 YEAR OLD TECHNOLOGY, WHAT DO YOU EXPECT I SUPPOSE WITH THAT CORRECTED, MAKES THE CRAPICA 15 FUKING YEARS OLD OH MY GOD………….
Micheal, you must have been very lucky with your Camira. I had a 2.0L Camira which cost me more in repairs than I paid for the car. Either I got a dud, or you got a ripper, or both.
QUOTE=”We will be trading in our trusty 2.0l Camira (has over 500000 klms on the original engine and still going fine)on a new Epica with the optional body kit.”
I consider myself patriotic, I’ll always try to buy Australian made whenever possible (hence my cars are usually Falcons).
If I were to buy an imported small/mid-sized car I would choose one from Fords new range (European sourced) over Holdens re-badged Daewoo (Korean sourced) range anytime. They may cost more but I think the power, driveability, reliability, looks, interior quality (pretty much everything) will more than make up for it.
Let’s not forget the Focus is to be made in Oz in a few years. If fuel prices keep going north I know what I’ll be getting for my next car.
I don’t know why you’re all bagging Daewoo.I have one and it is a very reliable,economical,comfortable car with more than enough power. In 348,000 kms it has only broken down once and that was a blocked filter on the end of the fuel pump.I did however fit new CV joints at 200,000kms as a precaution and I’ve changed the timing belt every 100,000kms.I have no complaints and if the new Epica is anything like my Espero then it will be a winner.
A view from rainy Oregon. We bought our 2004 Suzuki Verona (Read: Daewoo with inline six engine, immediate design predecessor to current Holden Epica) in December 2003. We now have 44,500 miles on it and have made several long trips to California, Georgia, etc.
The car is very pleasant. Reliability has been excellent: one update on the engine computer and one reset to the radio. Not all early Verona’s were that reliable, but Daewoo has continually improved reliability.
Amenities: Ours came with red lights on the lower door edges to show what one is stepping into–or out of. It has separate daylight running lights. Steering wheel radio controls. Alloy wheels. The Four speed automatic transmission has a separate economy setting. The rear seat folds down in two sections. Upholstery is leather, the fenders have rubber splash guards to keep road mud off the lower paint (quite useful in Oregon). The steering wheel tilts but does not telescope. Windows are electric. The power driver’s seat adjusts six ways.The usual dashboard lites warn of open doors, trunk, side door, etc. No tinny rod for the hood (bonnet?). It has a hydraulic stay-open strut.
My favorite features include the styling which is personal. Our version was styled with help from Italy. I like it very much. The engine is smooth, very smooth. It is even smoother than my wife’s elderly Cadillac. Engine refinement is a personal high point for me. It is notably smoother and quieter at idle than the Kia Amanti, and is smoother than our neighbors 2005 Toyota Camry. I can’t speak for BMW’s, Lexus’, etc., which are in a much higher class.
My pet peeve is the four speed auto. It should be a five speed, which I see the Epica now has to the tune of lower highway RPM and even less noise. Our car is quiet and good riding even at very high speeds (80-90 MPH) on long Western superhighways. The steeing is excellent and we enjoy it in the mountains.
The overall technology is not state-of-the art, but the engine has superior inherent balance to any V6 design. Suspension is strictly generic design but works well for all of that.
I don’t want to make this moderately priced car sound like a luxury brand, but it has served us very well, is a pleasure to drive, has a short turning circle, and merits respect even if you prefer another make. I would like to buy the new version now that ours is nearly four years old, but it is no longer imported here. Nothing else available here in its price range looks as good.
it the epica a daewoo
Just got my own 2003 Vectra CDXi manual a month ago and its a very classy car. I was hoping to see an upgrade model of this car from Holden. Well I guess this is the only Holden luxury car that has reputation to be compared to BMW series and other similar car in its class.
Saddened by the news holden replaced it by Epica which is a mile away behind compared to Vectra I had.
I guess 2003 Vectra CDXi will be remembered as the best car that came from Holden for now.
Chris, Yes pretty much!
I don’t kno why everyone is praising the vectra so much. It was the shittiest car I’ve owned. Constantly having problems and very unreliable, and you know why, because it was a euro shit heap. European cars are shit and most people know it, especially those who have had the displeasure of owning one. I have a Daewoo Lacetti at the moment, those of u may know it as the Holden Viva, and it is absolutely fantastic. Not a single complaint. So I would suggest drive the Epica first, then make a judgement.
Well after reading most of the above I hm bemused. I have a book that has pictures of early (XU1) era Toranas & six cylinder Cortinas that where built at the Daewoo factory in South Korea. I also know that they like Subaru, Nissan, Honda, Toyota, Audi etc etc have come a very long way since first manufacture. Daewoo have been manufacturing tough cars, trucks & buses for 50 years. They also operate in conditions a fair bit worse than ours, whats more with Asian drivers???