ALL-NEW CHEVROLET CAPTIVA’S DYNAMIC DESIGN INSPIRED BY STEALTH FIGHTER JET

07/06/2019

Buzz around the award-winning All-New Chevrolet Captiva continues to
build with Chevrolet Thailand now releasing details about the vehicle’s
stunning exterior design and styling
Research shows stylish design is a key purchase driver for SUV buyers in Thailand and Captiva delivers stealth fighter jet styling!
Captiva on-sale in the second half of 2019 with a starting price of less than 1 million baht, a life-sized interior with five- and seven-seat options, stunning panoramic sunroof and smart technology

The buzz continues to build around the All-New Chevrolet Captiva SUV, going on sale later in 2019. Hot on the heels of Captiva winning the prestigious “Most Exciting New Product Award” at this year’s Bangkok International Motor Show, Chevrolet Thailand can now share the secrets of the Captiva’s stunning exterior design.

Captiva will bring to Thai customers the “3S” philosophy of Chevrolet SUVs: Space, Style and Smart Technology. Here, Chevrolet brings you the story of Captiva’s exterior style.

The All-New Chevrolet Captiva marks a new design direction for the returning name plate that reflects the brand’s global SUV styling, leverages the latest technologies, and is inspired by the U.S. Air Force F-35 stealth fighter jet.

Captiva models an all-new design that artfully applies styling cues seen on other global Chevrolet SUVs. Captiva’s trapezoidal grille is like that of the Chevrolet Equinox, while the separate positioning of LED daytime running lights and projector headlights is reminiscent of the Chevrolet Blazer. The family resemblance continues with its strong front-to-rear shoulder lines like those on Chevrolet Traverse.

The fact that Captiva sits comfortably within the global Chevrolet SUV family is important, because market research clearly shows that customers in Thailand rate stylish design near the top of the list for reasons to buy an SUV. With Captiva, the brand’s bold American design effectively blends sporty looks with life-sized interior space and functionality to deliver the perfect combination for customers.

“Captiva’s prominent hood line conveys power and distinction, a trait that all global Chevrolet SUVs share. The slim lamp graphics also convey a sense of sportiness, a trend that is more evident in our modern Chevrolet SUVs today as well as the lean muscular forms that define the body side surfaces,” said Colin Phipps, Director of Design, GM Advanced Design in China.

Captiva’s exterior styling embodies a linear dynamic design language. It starts with a wide grille and aggressive front fascia flanked by ultra-thin LED daytime running lights that also function as turn signals and hazard lights. When styling the lower front fascia that houses the LED projector headlamps and fog lamps, the design team captured them within C-shape frames inspired by the U.S. Air Force F-35 stealth fighter jet.

Phipps said: “The main requirement of the design of our daytime running lights was that it had to be aggressive and intriguing. Meeting users’ demand for a high-profile design was also our goal. Along the body-side, we adopted a linear dynamic design language to compliment the daytime running light.”

In profile, the All-New Captiva’s dynamic parallel design language is clearly expressed with sculptured body lines extending from front to rear, complemented by a floating roof design. The vehicle’s stance is confident, ever ready to roll on 17-inch two-tone aluminium alloy wheels.

From the rear, the All-New Captiva’s aerodynamic design is expressed through its shark-fin antenna and integrated spoiler with high-mounted LED brake light that works in conjunction with the slim LED rear lamps and bumper-integrated rear combination lamp.

As the design team translated the Captiva concept from two-dimensional renderings into a 3D model, they utilized both digital and hand-modelling techniques, blending high technology with artistry, to arrive at the final design. This process allowed Captiva’s design team to rapidly deliver a product that meets consumers’ needs and market demand for a new midsize SUV.

“The consumer is at the center of every design,” Phipps said. “The focus of our attention is merging innovation with visual beauty. Despite the Captiva being an SUV, we gave it a sporty appearance that caters to the preferences of our young consumers.”

The All-New Chevrolet Captiva goes on-sale in Thailand in the second half of 2019.