The all-new Chevrolet Sail U-VA has been launched in the Indian passenger car market by American auto firm General Motors (GM) on November 2, 2012. Styling, performance and safety have been dealt with topmost priority in this new offering from GM. The freshly new offering Chevy Sail U-VA has been built at par with the best small passenger cars available globally which are best-suited for the fast-growing markets, among which India features prominently.
Lowell Paddock, President and Managing Director (MD), General Motors India Private Limited (GMIPL), said, “The much-anticipated Chevrolet Sail U-VA hatchback is an important addition to GM’s small car portfolio in India. It brings a new sense of vitality to the largest, fastest-growing and most competitive segment in the domestic passenger car market.”
With bold, stylish exteriors, Sail U-VA hatchback features sporty looks along with Chevrolet’s signature design cues, muscular arches rendering it an enticing three-dimensional appearance. Further, the Hawk Wing style headlamps coupled with Shooting Star style front fog lamps enhance the look of the car. A perfect ratio of dimensions is maintained in the vehicle with long front and short rear. For better fuel consumption, drag is reduced by the streamlined design of the vehicle. Overall, the car has the appearance of a big car with big side windows and a rear door opening which is very spacious. The car is available in seven vibrant colour options - Super Red, Switchblade Silver, Summit White, Caviar Black, Linen Beige, Sandrift Grey and Misty Lake.
Sail U-VA hatchback’s interior is smartly designed and comfortably capacious. The car’s state-of-the-art Horizon View dashboard design provides an incessant panoramic view. In the new Sail U-VA hatchback, five people can be comfortably accommodated, besides there is more headroom with the high roof design of the car. There is ample space for luggage in the back, figuratively, exactly 1,134 litres. Entertainment system pairs five phones, supports audio streaming and has Bluetooth connectivity.
Sail U-VA hatchback is powered with GM India’s newest family of Smartech engines, both petrol and diesel, offering high power and greater fuel efficiency. The four cylinder 1.3-litre SDE Smartech common rail diesel engine churns out maximum power of 77 bhp at 4,000 rpm with a torque of 205 Nm at 1,750 (+/-50) rpm, while returning a fuel efficiency of 22.1 km per litre. A lightweight aluminium alloy DOHC cylinder head, lightweight pistons having graphite-coated skirts possessing anti-friction properties, as well as low-tension piston rings capable of decreasing weight and increasing fuel economy are the other influences of modern technology on this car.
On the other hand, Sail U-VA hatchback’s 1.2-litre Smartech petrol engine features a DOHC valvetrain. It further improves efficiency by direct-acting valve actuation. Noise, vibration and harshness is reduced by lightweight crankshaft and low-end torque is provided by long-runner plastic intake manifold.
Further, the car incorporates better steering, suspension and braking systems, which are well-suited for Indian road conditions. Both front and rear shock absorbers are gas-filled to sustain all kinds of bumpy and demanding roads. The rigid chassis with front Macpherson struts and rare semi-independent suspension provide a comfortable ride. Sail U-VA hatchback has been provided with big tyres to counter-effect depressions as well as bulges on the roads.
Buyers need not worry about the safety aspect as the car’s three-point structure can disperse up to 80 per cent of the force when impacted from the front. Steel beam-rolling ribs protect the large fuel tank of the car. Central door locking, speed-sensitive automatic door locks and remote keyless entry are the other attributes of the car. Two top models also provide anti-lock brakes having electronic brakeforce distribution.
Chevrolet Sail U-VA hatchback has travelled more than 6.3 million km for testing in different surfaces and climatic conditions across the globe. To provide the best to its customers, GM put 1,567 components through stern global tests, which are mainly undergone by GM’s luxury cars. A three year/100,000 km standard warranty is attached with this new entrant. A unique add-on service maintenance package, the Chevrolet Promise, can be provided to customers that entail them with absolutely free maintenance for three years or 45,000 km (whichever comes first).
