Chevrolet unveils Sail hatchback car, MPV concept at Auto Expo

General Motors (GM), today unveiled the Sail hatchback and a concept MPV at the 2012 Delhi Auto Expo. GM says the Sail hatchback and the MPV Concept are tailored for the local market conditions and needs of Indian consumers looking for economical, user-friendly personal transportation.

The best part is that both are going to available soon enough—Sail in March and the MPV in June.

Chevrolet Sail hatchback

Watch a video review of the Chevrolet Sail hatchback

The Sail has Chevrolet’s trademark bowtie grille as found in the Beat and Cruze. The car’s rear has high mounted tail lamps as in the Fiat Punto and Ford Figo. The large dimensions suggest its spacious interiors which could become the car’s unique selling proposition. Overall, we feel the Sail has enough styling to attract small car buyers.

The interior of the Sail is spacious and can comfortably seat five adults. The fuel tank is positioned in the middle of the car and hence, it frees more space inside. Expect good number of storage spaces as well.

The Sail will get the Smartech engines from the Chevrolet’s lineup in India. We expect the 1.2-litre petrol motor from the Chevrolet Beat which puts out 79.5 bhp of power. The diesel version of Sail may get the GM’s version of Fiat’s 1.3-litre Multijet engine that powers the Fiat Punto, Maruti Suzuki Swift and Tata Vista.

The Sail hatchback will have safety cage body with extensive use of high-strength steel. The fuel tank located in the middle is protected with steel beam-rolling ribs that offer maximum safety to driver and passengers.

High local components will help GM India to price the Sail competitively. We expect GM India to price the Chevrolet Sail in the Rs. 4 lakh – 6 lakh price range.

Chevrolet MPV (Multi Purpose Vehicle) Concept

The MPV Concept looks like a near-production vehicle and is the Indian version of the Chevrolet CN 100 (Hong Guang) sold in Chinese market. It has conservative styling with a conventional smiling front grille that has three horizontal chrome tipped bars.

Watch a video review of the Chevrolet MPV here

The headlamps have a unique shape and the leaf-shaped fog lamps complete the front profile. At the sides, the MPV comes with pull type door handles, mildly flared wheel arches and large glass area. The rear of the MPV concept has conventionally designed taillamps. The interiors of the vehicle houses seven seats and commendable boot space. The company will also offer the MPV in 8 seater configuration as well.

Initially, Chevrolet will offer the MPV powered by 1.4-litre petrol engine that puts out 96 bhp of power and 128 Nm of torque. The engine will be mated to 5-speed manual transmission. The company will introduced the diesel version at a later period.

Lotus, British automaker has worked with GM Technical Centre in order to fine tune the chassis of this MPV.  The MPV Concept is built with high-strength and ultra-high strength steel which are used in the body and chassis to offer safety to the passengers.

Chevrolet will extensively test the Sail hatchback and the production version of the MPV concept across the country. GM is yet to announce the launch period of these two cars.