General
Motors India has launched the new Chevrolet Sail hatchback and sedan. While the
Sail hatchback is priced between Rs 4.41 and Rs 6.81 lakh, the Sail sedan is
priced between Rs 5.19 and Rs 7.64 lakh (ex-showroom, New Delhi).
The
Sail model was first introduced in 2012 in the country. The car was built on a
global passenger car platform that was created especially for India and other
fast-growing emerging markets. The platform has crossed the 1 million sales
figure in July 2014, according to a GM India press release.
The
Chevrolet Corvette-inspired dual cockpit design incorporates seats with new
leatherette upholstery. The new icy blue illumination complements the new
luxuriously blended black and beige dual-tone interior with highlights in
silver and chrome.
The
car has been designed to accommodate five adults in comfort. Short front and
rear overhangs along with the fuel tank’s position in the middle of the car
maximise interior space and provide ample legroom for passengers in the rear
seat. The car has a high roof design and smart storage spaces as well as a
spacious boot.
The
new 2–DIN music system has Bluetooth functionality. It supports up to five
phone pairings and music streaming. There are new chrome surrounds for the AC
vent bezel and HVAC control knobs along with silver surrounds for door handles
and the gear shifter. The Chevrolet signature golden bowtie on the new black
steering wheel lends a sporty touch.
The
car has hawk wing style headlamps and shooting star style front fog lamps with
chrome garnish surrounds. It has wide-opening rear doors that give the car the feel
of a much larger car. It is also equipped with a chrome strip on the boot-lid
for added visual appeal from the rear.
The
1.3-litre SDE Smartech turbo-charged common rail diesel engine powers the new Sail.
It delivers power of 74bhp @ 4,000 rpm and torque of 190 Nm @ 1,750rpm along
with fuel economy of 22.1 km/l. The engine has a lightweight aluminum alloy
DOHC cylinder head, lightweight pistons with graphite-coated skirts and
anti-friction properties, and low-tension piston rings that decrease weight and
increase fuel economy. The engine’s short-skirt compact cast iron cylinder
block with an aluminum bedplate enhances stiffness.
The
engine’s advanced common rail fuel injection system, close-coupled diesel
oxidation catalyst and electrically operated, water-cooled external EGR with
pneumatically controlled EGR bypass effectively limit emissions. A
fixed-geometry turbocharger with a vacuum-operated waste gate for smooth and
efficient operation delivers superior torque from very low engine rpms. An
electronic accelerator control further enhances the engine’s smooth operation.
The
Sail diesels are matched with a premium F17 transmission, which is popular in
Europe and other parts of the world. It features a high-efficiency two-shaft
single housing gearbox with slick shifting for sporty and spirited performance.
The gear ratios have been customised to handle demanding traffic conditions in
India, which mandate low-end torque delivery.
As
for the petrol engine is a locally developed one, a 1.2-litre Smartech petrol
engine that was created by the GM Technical Centre-India in cooperation with GM
India’s powertrain plant in Talegaon, Pune. The engine features aluminum
cylinder heads, a deep skirt cylinder block and lightweight pistons with
low-tension rings, which decrease weight and maximise fuel economy.
The
engine delivers power of 83 bhp @ 6000 rpm and torque of 108.5 Nm @ 5000 rpm
along with a fuel economy of 18.2 kmpl.
Picture of new Chevrolet Sail