NOTHING MICKEY MOUSE ABOUT ORLANDO

By Joe Duarte, Autonet.ca - Chevrolet's Orlando show car is a seven seat wagon meant to demonstrate the flexibility of the Cruze platform.

Due in showrooms late in 2011, Orlando carries Chevrolet's signature design language with a noticeable resemblance to that of the larger Traverse, though it bears a more rugged profile due to squarish flared fenders.

Meant to do battle with the likes of the Kia Rondo, Mazda5 and Mitsubishi Outlander, Orlando features adaptable, theatre-style seating in three rows. If the need is more to carrying cargo, all seats fold flat (including the front passenger seat) to create a long load. The middle row is made up of a 60/40 split bench and the third row is 50/50 set-up.

Like the diminutive Spark and Cruze (and other Chevrolets before them), Orlando features Chevrolet's 'dual cockpit' design theme. The cabin is designed to meet the demands of owners who need plenty of options (whether that be for people, cargo, entertainment, etc). On the show car, a storage compartment extends along the center of the roof, providing useful stowage space. Further storage space is provided in the centre console, the middle row center arm-rest and under the cargo floor in the trunk area.

The roof houses twin glass panels that stretch nearly completely from windshield to liftgate, though it's not known if these would make it into production.

At 2,760 mm, the Orlando wheelbase is 75 mm longer than that of the Cruze, while the front and rear tracks are 50 mm and 30 mm wider, respectively. It all adds up to seating and cargo-carrying space the company says will be among best-in-class for compact Crossovers.

In Europe, Orlando will be offered with Chevrolet's latest-generation 2.0-litre turbodiesel, which develops 150 hop and 236 lb.-ft. of torque. On this side of the pond, power would likely be supplied by a gasoline engine - a 2.0 turbo "four" Ecotec engine currently makes 260 hp and 260 lb.-ft., which would be the types of outputs Chevrolet would desire for a vehicle that would likely be weighed down with cargo and/or people.

General Motors has announced Orlando would be produced in North America (though it doesn't look as though it will be sold south of the border).