Autocade is an international car cyclopædia that’s geographically unbiased, carefully edited for enthusiasts and media who want a quick, accurate reference. There is a greater emphasis on models produced after 1970.
Inside Autocade
Lotus Europa. 2006–10 (prod. 456, incl. 48 SE). 2-door coupé. M/R, 1998 cm³ (I4 DOHC). Revival of the Europa name for S and SE models, but not related to the previous car in concept, execution or market. Plush sports car, supposedly a GT targeting the Porsche Cayman (987c), on stretched Elise platform (same wheelbase as Opel Speedster). Heavier than Elise thanks to standard equipment, but cramped, and not comparing that well with Cayman, but, on the other hand, it was cheaper in its home market. SE (from 2008) plusher still, with performance upgrades. Very communicative steering, excellent handling as expected, but lacked mod-cons such as sat-nav (which purists would argue is a good thing).
Manufacturing location: Hethel, Norfolk, England
Marque: Lotus | Model: Lotus Europa
Shanghai Maple 305/Shanghai Maple Haishang (華普 海尚/ 华普 海尚) (SMA 7131/SMA 7151/SMA 7181). 2005–10 (prod. n/a). 4-door sedan. F/F, 1342, 1498, 1762 cm³ (I4 DOHC). Another variant of the Citroën ZX, not under licence, and the subject of a lawsuit alongside other Shanghai Maple cars. Grille resembled Audi A6 (C6). Originally with larger engines, but with newer Geely cars coming on stream, and a desire to phase out the Shanghai Maple marque, Haishang found itself with smaller units over time. Also called the Hysoul.
Manufacturing location: Shanghai, China
Marque: Shanghai Maple | Predecessor: Shanghai Maple Marindo | Successor: Englon SC7
q.v. Shanghai Maple Haiyue, Shanghai Maple Haifeng, Shanghai Maple Haiyu, Shanghai Maple Haixun
Chevrolet Equinox. 2005–9 (prod. 485,453 sold). 5-door SUV. F/F, F/A, 3350 cm³ (V6 OHV), 3564 cm³ (V6 DOHC). GM Theta-platform soft roader, related to Pontiac Torrent, Daewoo Winstorm and Saturn Vue (2002–7). Longer than Vue, but no third row of seats. Sport model from 2008 with lowered ride height and DOHC V6. Decent cargo room by the standards of the mid-2000s, but handling and steering were well below par for the segment.
Manufacturing location: Ingersoll, Ontario, Canada
Marque: Chevrolet | Model: Chevrolet Equinox | Predecessor: Suzuki Escudo (1997–2015) | Successor: Chevrolet Equinox (2010–17)
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