GM India presented their replacement for the aging Aveo at the 2012 Auto Expo in New Delhi. No, it’s not the Sonic as one would have imagined. It is actually a Chevrolet Sail from the SAIC portfolio. The Sail was first spied by IAB in a parking lot in Pune. Sure, it’s not as good looking as the Sonic but this is what we are getting and that’s the end of it.
The Chevrolet Sail was jointly developed by Shanghai GM and Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center (PATAC) off a new architecture in accordance with GM's Global Vehicle Development Process (GVDP) and worldwide standards for engineering and quality. The Chevrolet Beat also complies to the same standards.
We have already discussed the design and mechanicals of the Sail. Now it is time to answer the big one – Safety. The Sail has secured 4 stars in the C-NCAP testing (an organizational body similar to Euro NCAP). It has a safety cage with integrated crumple zones. A steel frame surrounds the fuel tank as a protection in case of a crash. The car also features:
- Dual air bags in front
- A retractable steering column
- ABS with EBD
- Child safety locks are standard
What are the Sail’s chances against Etios, Manza, Verito and Fiesta Classic?
[ Image Source: IndianCarsBikes.in]
