GM India introduces Chevrolet Sail U-VA at Rs. 4.44 lakhs

Finally today GM India launched its game changer, the Chevrolet Sail U-VA, in 4 petrol and 3 diesel variants, here in Chennai.

The car is offered in 7 colours. GM is launching the Sail U-VA simultaneously in Mumbai, Delhi and Chennai today.

After tasting relatively limited success with small cars such as the Beat and Aveo U-VA, the American car maker General Motors is making yet another attempt to succeed in the B segment by introducing the Chevrolet Sail U-VA to win a sizable share of the rapidly growing hatchback segment in India which makes up 50,000 units of car sales every month.

Designed and developed with its Chinese partner SAIC (Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation), the Sail is China's second best selling vehicle and is also the most exported vehicle in China. Over 5 lakh units have been sold worldwide since its launch in China in 2010.

But this is India and can this launch help GM capitalize on the growing demand for diesel cars in India or would it follow the same path as the Beat, which got off to a good start, but started losing steam over time?

GM has carefully modified the Sail for the Indian market with the engine and suspension calibrated for local conditions with ground clearance improved. Here are a couple of slides from a presentation that summarizes the changes on the India-spec Sail.

The car is powered by a 1.3 litre Smartech diesel engine, which is based on the Fiat Multijet diesel engine that powers a dozen cars in India and is India's best selling diesel engine. The company claims that the diesel engine will offer 22.1 kmpl (ARAI figure) and a 1.2 litre petrol engine borrowed from the Beat puts out 86 PS at 6,000 rpm and 113 Nm at 5,00o rpm and offers 18.2 kmpl. The car has a boot space of 248 liters when the rear seat is in place, and the driver side airbag is standard on all variants except for the 'Base' petrol variant.

The Sail U-VA is richly equipped with the base model having features such as power steering, aircon, front power windows, power adjustable outside mirrors, dual tone interior and driver airbag.

The 3 year Chevrolet Promise covers scheduled services including cost of parts, labour and consumables, maintenance for all parts except tyres, battery and accidental damage, and 3 wheel alignments and balancing. It also includes warranty for 3 years/1 lakh kilometers.

Read our comprehensive review, test drive of Chevrolet Sail U-VA

Chevrolet Sail U-VA prices (ex-showroom Delhi)

Chevrolet Sail U-VA Petrol

• Base - Rs. 4.44 lakhs
• LS - Rs. 4.83 lakhs
• LS ABS - 5.18 Rs. lakhs
• LT ABS - Rs. 5.57 lakhs

Chevrolet Sail U-VA Diesel

• LS - Rs. 5.87 lakhs
• LS ABS - Rs. 6.19 lakhs
• LT ABS - Rs. 6.62 lakhs

During 2011, GM India delivered 1,11,510 units against 1,10,804 units last year. The increment in numbers is anticipated with the launch of the Sail U-VA, Sail sedan and the Enjoy MPV, officials said here at the regional launch.

Chevrolet Sail U-VA Specification Sheet

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