The new generation of Chevrolet Montana is getting closer and closer to reaching our country. scheduled for second half of the yearAlthough without a confirmed date, it will arrive from Brazil to fight in the incipient compact pickup segment made up of Fiat Toro, Renault Oroch, Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Cruz (the possibility of being marketed in Argentina has cooled down and its arrival is uncertain) .
The success of pickups in the region is well known and more and more users are prioritizing this type of vehicle over any other.
In Argentina, for example, Toyota Hilux and Volkswagen Amarok were in the Top 5 of overall sales in 2022, discounting that the Zárate-made pick-up was the absolute market leader in 2016, 2018, 2019 and 2020, even overtaking cars cheaper.
Since the compact pick-up segment was inaugurated in 2016 by Renault Duster Oroch (today only Oroch) and Fiat Toro, the category has established itself in the markets of the region, closing 2022 with an average penetration of 3.2% and projecting to reach 4.5% in 2023.
Montana enters the ring
The regional launch of the Chevrolet Montana will have a lot to do with that part. The new pick-up has just been launched in the Brazilian market and in the coming months it will be added to Colombia, Ecuador, Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay, Argentina and possibly Mexico (where negotiations are advanced).
Unlike the rest of its competitors, General Motors does not flaunt its work vehicle capabilities (for example, it won’t have 4×4 versions), but points out that this new generation has everything an SUV offers, including driving comfort, but in a pick-up format. That’s why he calls it SUP (Intelligent utility withdrawal).
While the old Montana was built on the basis of the Corsa and measured 4.40 metres, this new generation was conceived on the gem platform which the company uses for its Onix and Tracker models.
Precisely with the latter it shares a large part of the mechanics and components, even if it also differs in having received modifications to the rear axle, the suspensions and the rear brakes for improve your walk in the citywhere the pickups tend to have permanent bounce.
To verify these qualities, Clarin car went to the Brazilian city of Curitiba to get the first contact with this new compact truck which will initially arrive in Argentina in two automatic versions: ZTL and Premier, the two best equipped in the range.
Loaded in the top-of-the-range version, we covered more than 200 kilometers between urban circuit, highway and dirt roads to join Curitiba with the Guaricica Nature Reserve, in the municipality of Antonina.
During the trip he reached the behavior ea exemplary ride comfortallowing us to forget that we were aboard a pick-up.
He was in demand on back roads to test his racing gear. The suspensions turned out to be calibrated in such a way that the irregularities are practically not felt inside the passenger compartment. Another strong point is the soundproofingwhich enhances that attribute with which the brand tries to distinguish itself.
The petrol engine 1.2-litre, turbocharged, three-cylinder It’s the same as the Tracker, only with 132 horsepower instead of 128. It’s an efficient engine, with good reaction and low fuel consumption, even if a little noisy when the accelerator requires it.
It is associated with A 6-speed automatic gearboxs (variants with 6-speed manual gearbox are also available in Brazil) calibrated to optimize comfort and take care of fuel consumption.
The feeling behind the wheel is very good: height and depth adjustment of the steering wheel to find the most suitable driving position and excellent comfort and safety features which also include Wifi and the OnStar communication system.
The space in the rear seats is decent, there is neither excess nor lack. To illustrate this better, if the driver were 1.80 meters tall, another occupant of the same height could sit in the back seat without his knees being pressed against the front seat backrest.
On the other hand, the box (capacity 874 liters) has an organizer (Multi-Flex) for facilitate the loading and unloading of objects and with a canvas cover with an effective waterproofing system that we were able to verify after riding in pouring rain.
It still remains to know what the prices of the two versions that will reach our market will be, a fundamental information that will only be revealed at launch.
Data sheet
Length: 4,717mm
Width: 1798mm
Height: 1,659mm
Wheelbase: 2,800mm
Ground clearance: 19.4cm
Angle of attack: 20.7°
Starting angle: 25°
Cargo volume: 874 litres
Load capacity: 600kg (Premier)
Weight: 1,310 kilograms
Fuel tank: 44 litres
Engine: Naaftero, turbocharged, 1.2L (three cylinders)
Power: 132 HP (at 5,500 rpm)
Torque: 190Nm (2,000-4,500rpm)
Traction: simple (front)
Gearbox: Automatic, 6-speed.
Maximum speed: 181km/h
accel. 0-100km/h: 10.1 seconds
Average consumption: 8.2 L/100 km
Premier Version Gear (Full)
six airbags
emergency stop warning
blind spot warning
Tire pressure monitoring
Traction control and stability
hill start assistance
rear view camera
parking sensors
8 inch touch screen
Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
wireless cell phone charger
Native Wi-Fi on board
OnStar system
automatic climate control
box lid
Source: Clarin
Ben Stock is a journalist working for News Rebeat, where he covers the automobile section. With a passion for cars and the industry, Ben brings insightful and in-depth reporting to his readers.
