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Story by Daewoo: 17th February 2000

DAEWOO AT THE 2000 GENEVA MOTOR SHOW

Tacuma small MPV set for autumn UK launch

The seventh car in the Daewoo model range will make its show debut in final production form at this year’s Geneva Motor Show on 29 February. It is set to go on sale in the UK in October. The current Daewoo range of Matiz, Lanos, Nubira, Leganza, Korando and Musso vehicles will also be represented.

The Tacuma was launched (under the domestic name Rezzo) in the Korean market in January 2000, since when it has notched up a remarkable 3756 sales. Western Europe will launch during the second half of the year while the US launch is planned for early 2001. Tacuma is being built at Daewoo’s ultra-modern Kunsan facility. Initial annual production will be 100,000 units, of which 70% are intended for export.

Star of the stand will be a special edition Tacuma featuring a complete Sony In-Car entertainment system comprising TV, DVD, MiniDisc and PlayStation with drop-down monitor. Daewoo will be gauging customer opinion with a view to the possible introduction of the package as a special edition or additional equipment option when the vehicle is launched across Europe later this year.

Initially, Tacuma will go on sale with a 2.0-litre DOHC petrol engine, but a 1.9-litre diesel and 1.6-litre DOHC petrol engine are planned to follow. It will compete in a growing segment of the market alongside the Renault Scenic and Vauxhall Zafira. The options for transporting families and their leisure gear now stretch beyond simply buying a large four-wheel drive vehicle, and the popularity of the versatile monobox and semi-monobox body styles is increasing.

Extremely compact external dimensions (4350mm length, 1755mm width and 1580mm height) belie the spacious interior, comfortably seating five passengers without surrendering any of the 455 litres of luggage space. The three rear seats are adjustable and removable and the front passenger seat can be turned through 180° . Both front seats feature tray tables mounted for use by rear passengers.

As you would expect from a Daewoo, high levels of safety and equipment will come as standard, and all for around the same price as the current Nubira. ABS, twin airbags and side impact bars, alarm and immobiliser, power steering, audio system and even a mobile phone with free connection complete the picture.

All this is complemented by Daewoo’s legendary customer support package of a three-year/60,000-mile warranty, three years’/60,000 miles’ free servicing (including parts and labour), three years’ AA cover and now free advanced driver training and test in conjunction with the Institute of Advanced Motorists.