CHEVROLET LAUNCHES SAIL HATCHBACK AND MPV.

By -

Sail hatchback to be powered by 1.2-L petrol, 1.3-L diesel motors. MPV to get 1.4-L petrol engine.

Chevrolet India has unveiled the Sail and MPV models at the Auto Expo 2012. The two cars are the first models to be launched from GM India’s Chinese partner SAIC’s portfolio of models.The Sail is a sub 4-metre hatchback (overall length is 3947mm) that is scheduled to go on sale in mid-2012. While styling may not break new ground, the Sail is quite pleasing to look at. Linking the Sail to the rest of the Chevy range is the split grille with the bowtie emblem in between. The Sail looks quite smart from the rear, thanks to its near-vertical tail section. A 2465mm wheelbase promises good interior space. Like the exterior styling, the cabin is quite neat too but does not really standout in terms of design.The Sail will be launched with a 81bhp 1.2-litre petrol engine. A Fiat-sourced 1.3-litre diesel will be added to the line-up later in the year.

The ‘MPV’ will the second model to be added to the Chevy line-up by mid-2012. While styling may be inoffensive, the MPV’s ability to seat seven (or eight depending on configuration) will be its biggest selling point. The MPV will be sold initially with a 94.6bhp, 1.4-litre petrol engine. As on the Sail, the 1.3-litre diesel engine will be made available towards the end of the year. Interestingly, British car maker Lotus worked with engineers at GM’s technical centre in Bangalore to fine-tune the MPV’s chassis.


Chevrolet is likely to price the both models aggressively and this could really be a new beginning for GM in India.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

All new Ambassador makeover by Hindustan Motors in 2012 .

By -
Image
Sixty years back, the word ‘car’ in India literally meant the Ambassador for most Indians. A lot has changed since then, with horde of automobile manufacturers active in the Indian market, sales figures for Hindustan Motors have hit an all time low 5,510 units in the first 10 months of the current fiscal year. Over the years, it has been the Indian political class that has been keeping Hindustan Motors rolling. The latest blow to Hindustan motors came from the Govt. of India itself, which replaced the Ambassador with cars like the  Maruti SX4  and the  Tata Indigo CS considering safety and performance issues. The next-gen Ambassador will feature structural, aerodynamic and aesthetical chages. Changes on board the 2012 Ambassador include new engine calibrations, an anti-lock brake system and aluminium alloy wheels. For comfort, there will be new leather seats coupled with wood grain interiors. For the first time, there will also be an integrated music system and redesigne...
Read more

Force One to get 4x4 in mid-2012

By -
Image
Force Motors, which launched its first SUV, Force One, last August will launch a new 4x4 version and a variant equipped with ABS by mid-2012. The new 4X4 was displayed at the Auto Expo last month. At the launch, the company had indicated its intentions to offer more features in the SUV at a later stage. These features have made it to the SUV, but the company has been tight-lipped about launch date  and price tag. The 4x4 variant will continue to be powered by the FM-Tech 2.2-litre common-rail turbo-diesel motor that develops 139bhp and 32.6kgm of torque. It will be offered with a five-speed manual gearbox as is the case with the 4x2 version. There will be no visual changes to  differentiate the 4x4 from its 4x2 sibling, except for  the badge. We expect the ABS-equipped 4x4 version to  cost at least Rs 1 lakh more than the 4x2 variant, which costs Rs 10.65 lakh (ex-showroom,  Delhi). 
Read more

Maruti 800 replacement coming soon.

By -
Image
Authentic Cars  broke the news on the upcoming Maruti 800 way back in July last year   and now we bring you more info on the car that will finally replace the venerable Maruti 800.  This new car, to be called the Alto 800 (codename: YE3), is based on the Alto, but with significant modifications done to make it cheaper. Not to be confused with the Alto sold in Japan, the new Alto 800 is based on the current generation Alto (YG4) but with a new body and interior. As seen in the pictures, the design is rather basic but there is more than a passing resemblance to the Japanese Alto, especially from the front. The nose gets high-mounted headlights, a slim, slot-like grille and there is a huge secondary air-inlet opening above and below the bumper. The styling is in line with the current-generation Suzukis, and details like the slanting window-line point to an aggressive tip-forward stance. Also, there is a prominent character-line that runs on the sides, right from the head...
Read more