General Motors India unveiled the first two products from its joint venture with Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC), the Chevrolet Sail premium hatchback and the Chevrolet MPV Concept, at the Delhi Auto Expo 2012. GM hasn’t revealed the specifications of the two cars that will be launched later this year in India.
The Sail is a sub 4-metre hatchback (overall length is 3947mm). 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.
The Sail hatchback’s exterior and interior design exudes Chevrolet’s sporty styling. The front view features Chevrolet’s signature styling cues, including a dual-port grille adorned with a gold bowtie. The hood features muscular cut-lines that provide a three-dimensional look. From the side, the unique waistline gives the Sail hatchback a dynamic stance. Its body proportions offer a perfect ratio of a long front and short rear, with a lower stance in front that moves upward to a higher stance in back.
The interior of the Sail hatchback is spacious, airy and bright, with Chevrolet’s dual-cockpit design. The sporty instrument panel with chrome-plated accents contains a radio, CD player and music Aux-in interface.
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 concept is engineered for the B segment and is specifically developed for the emerging markets keeping in mind the need to accommodate bigger families and so has flexi-seating and a choice of seven or eight seats. The chassis has been designed with the help of Lotus.
“The MPV (multi-purpose vehicle) will be launched in India by the end of this year and the hatchback will be commercially rolled out by June-July this year,” General Motors India Vice President Corporate Affairs P Balendran said at the ongoing 11th Auto Expo.
He added that both the models would be launched in both petrol and diesel variants and would be competitively priced.
Chevrolet Sail Hatchback & Concept MPV At Delhi Auto Expo Picture Gallery:
