General Motors India is making plans to jump into the entry-level sedan segment, which is currently dominated by the likes of Toyota Etios and Maruti Suzuki Dzire. So far GM has been going through an average sales season where it is not growing.Thus the company has high hopes from the launch of this new sedan. With two facelifts and three launches in line this year, the sales of the company should rise once again. Sharing the plan, Lowell Paddock, President and Managing Director, General Motors India (GM) said that the company will soon make an entry in the premium economy segment by the month of June or July this year, with its entry-level sedan Sail. A hatchback and an MPV (Multi Purpose Vehicle) along with two facelifts in collaboration with SAIC (Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation) which is a Chinesefirmshould help.
This sedan will come in two engine options. The first is a 1.2 liter S-TEC II with a powertrain which could produce a maximum power of 53.1kW/L,which can accelerate the car from 0 to 100 kmph within 12.9 seconds. The second engine is a 1.4 liter S-TEC III generates a power of 54.3kW/L, which enables the sedan to reach 100kmph from zero in just 11.9 seconds flat. The powertrains are mated with VGIS (Variable Geometry Intake System) for excellent torque throughout its mill speed and power delivery. Manual five-speed transmission is fitted on both the engine options. When it comes to safety, Chevrolet Sail is decorated by four-star rating in the C-NCAP testing.This is an organizational body, the same as the Euro NCAP. A set of dual air bags which are fitted in the front side protects the passengers on the front from major crash injuries during a head-on-collision. The ABS (Anti-lock braking system) coupled with EBD (Electronic breakforce distribution) adds extra protection to the car when it’s on the move. Child safety lock along with the retractable steering column is also there in this new entry-level sedan. The fuel tank is surrounded by a strong steel frame which gives it a thorough safety against any collision or accident.With that there is also a safety cage for the car which incorporates the crumple zones making it further safe.
Apart from all these new releases of fresh vehicles and facelifts, Chevrolet Captiva and Chevrolet Tavera will also come to the market with some small up-gradation later this year. However, General Motors India is not bringing the diesel version of Sail sedan, which may not be appreciated very much by the Indian customers since the price of petrol is rising at an incredible rate all over the nation. Let’s see what happens with the price of the petrol and consequently the demand of new sedan when it islaunched this year.
