Chevrolet launches Sail U-VA, the first of a raft of new models, in India

After conquering China, the world's largest car market where it is one of the best-selling cars, and teasing India with hundreds of spy-shots captured across all major cities, the Chevrolet Sail U-VA was finally launched in India yesterday. Replacing the market dud Aveo U-VA, the Sail U-VA has got to be one of the most important launches for General Motors in India. With the premium hatchback segment growing like there is no tomorrow and cars like Maruti-Suzuki Swift and Hyundai i20 breaking all sales records each month, it is essential that GM has a worthy model to compete and take sales away from competition.

The Sail U-VA is the car GM has chosen to entrust with that job. The car is available in 4 petrol variants - Base, LS, LS ABS & LT, that are priced at INR 4.44, 4.83, 5.18 and 5.57 Lakhs respectively. 3 diesel variants - LS, LS ABS & LT are also available with prices of INR 5.87, 6.19 and 6.62 Lakhs respectively. All prices are ex-showroom Delhi.

To avail excise duty benefits, the Sail U-VA is powered by a 1.2-liter petrol engine and a 1.3-liter turbo diesel engine developed jointly with Fiat. While the former produces 85 bhp of power at 6000 rpm and 11.52 kgm of torque at 4400 rpm, the latter churns out 77 bhp of power at 4000 rpm and 20.90 kgm of torque at 1750 rpm. This very-popular diesel engine that has earned a name for itself under the hood of many cars like the Swift, Swift Dzire and Indica Vista, is expected to be a major draw for the Sail U-VA. Though the power and torque figures aren't breaking new grounds, they are par for the segment.

Unlike previous Chevrolet models like Beat and Cruze that came with strikingly modern design that vowed the onlookers, the Sail U-VA looks plain jane. That doesn't mean it looks bad, it's just that the Sail U-VA looks so conservative with a 'please-all-offend-none' design. The characteristic split grille with the 'bowtie' emblem in the center ensures that you don't mistake the car for anything but a Chevy. The profile is boxy while the rear with its vertical taillights does look a bit dated, especially when compared to cars like Fiat Grande Punto, Volkswagen Polo and Hyundai i20.

In terms of interior features, the Sail U-VA, again, doesn't break existing barriers. While all variants come with power steering, front power windows, power mirrors, tilt steering and a digital tachometer, features like leather-wrapped steering wheel, ABS, dual Airbags, leather-wrapped gear knob, rear power windows, alloy wheels, audio system with bluetooth, speed-sensitive auto locking and rear wipers get added progressively as you move up the range. Having ran into folks who have thoroughly experienced the Sail in China, we can vouch for its class-leading passenger space in both the front and rear seats.

The Sail twins have been developed by GM India jointly with its Chinese partner SAIC which, until recently, was holding a major stake in the Indian arm. Quite a few India-specific changes like increased ground clearance, addition of beige trim, added interior features and upgrades to the air-conditioning system, suspension and component quality are said to be incorporated to ensure that the Sail withstands the harsh Indian environment better. Over the course of time, the Sail sedan will also join the line-up to take on entry mid-size sedans like Maruti-Suzuki Swift Dzire, Tata Indigo CS and Mahindra Verito.