Review of the new Chevrolet Matiz 0.8 SE Autpmatic

The Chevrolet Matiz has developed into something of a cult classic as a nippy urban runabout. And urban runabouts, you would have thought, need automatic transmission. Surprising then, that so few of them have it. Chevrolet hope to change this trend and their dealers are actively encouraging buyers of the popular 0.8SE variant to opt for a four-speed automatic gearbox that makes this little car even easier to manoeuvre and drive.

There used to be a time when automatic transmissions were only considered viable for cars with 2.0-litre engines or bigger but advances in electronics and technology have seen useable clutchless derivatives available on most cars, irrespective of their engine size. The 796cc three cylinder petrol engine in the Matiz 0.8 SE would seem at first glance to be unsuitable for the demands of an automatic transmission but the new 'box offers the full flexibility of a conventional system and is aided by sophisticated electronic controls. These aim to match the needs of the engine with the demands of the transmission, thereby optimising the performance of both. The result is a very practical, if not wonderfully exciting, drive. Bearing in mind that the majority of customers for a Matiz do not have lightening fast performance at the top of their wishlist in the first place, this is of little relevance.

The small engine and a range of advanced manufacturing processes have enabled Chevrolet to keep the price of this 0.8-litre SE variant low at only £7,500 on-the-road. Plus there are a number of features that will appeal to those looking for something other than a bog-standard tin box. First shown at the 2004 Paris Motor Show as the M3X Concept, this car retains many of the first generation Matiz's signature design cues. The front end is a little more mature, with bigger LED headlights and a more pronounced grille and bumper structure. The bonnet is domed high to ensure excellent pedestrian safety and the rear retains the high-mounted round lamps that featured on previous Matiz models. Overall the latest styling gives the Matiz a much more upmarket look.

"The Matiz 0.8-litre SE automatic is an inexpensive car to run, with low servicing and insurance costs"

The sides are still rather vertical, with a high roofline and a wheel-at-each-corner look that maximises internal space. Much of the expertise in building a car like this is expressed in terms of its packaging. The 'small on the outside but big on the inside' ethos is what drives many of the design decisions and Chevrolet have done a very good job with the Matiz in this particular respect. Seating four adults in comfort with excellent all round visibility was the starting point. Every other styling direction was subservient to that requirement, so unlike many other cars where the occupants are forced to conform to the design, Chevrolet have set out with the philosophy that comfort and ease of entry are priorities. At 3.5 metres long and 1.5 metres wide, the Matiz will fit easily into tighter parking spaces and will result in no grey hairs when negotiating urban width restrictions. It's also 1.5 metres high, so entry and exit is easy and there should be few problems with headroom.

The fascia is adventurously styled with centrally mounted instruments sitting atop the plane of the dashboard and key indicators residing close to the driver's line of sight. Body-coloured detailing is a key theme, as is metallic bright work on many surfaces. The days of cheap black and grey plastics have long gone, marking the company's confidence in product development.

The three-cylinder 0.8-litre engine has been thoroughly uprated and now develops 51.5 PS or 50bhp with a maximum torque of 71.5Nm at 4,400rpm. It's not the most rapid performer (with a top speed of 84mph). Nor should you try and race anything away from the lights, as the standing start to 62mph will take you a very leisurely 21.9 seconds. Where this car really performs is at the petrol pump, delivering over 49.6mpg on the combined cycle and emitting a miserly 132g/km of CO2.

The citycar market has moved on since the Matiz first launched in the nineties and customers now are expecting more refinement in their cars than they previously enjoyed. Chevrolet have recognised this and have fitted out this SE model pretty astutely. It features power-assisted steering, remote central locking, an engine immobiliser, electric front windows, rear seat headrests, ABS brakes, a 60/40 split folding rear seat, a rear wash/wipe, a digital clock and a CD player with four speakers. Safety has also been improved, with driver and passenger airbags as well as seat belt pre-tensioners all coming as standard. The body structure of this Matiz uses state-of-the-art light but strong steel to improve its performance in a crash.

The Matiz 0.8-litre SE automatic is an inexpensive car to run, with low servicing and insurance costs. The price includes delivery, road tax, a three year comprehensive warranty and three years' AA roadside cover, making it one of the cheapest cars to run in the UK. Certainly, for those on a budget, this little Chevy represents a sound choice for those where the majority of their journeys are on busy city streets.

As other citycars have grown in size with each new model, Chevrolet have bucked the trend by keeping the current Matiz small on the outside, yet improving the space available inside the car. This, along with its modern cute looks and practicality, should ensure that, automatic or no automatic, it remains one of the top selling citycars in the world.