Chevrolet Unveils Sail EV Concept in China
General Motors has unveiled the Chevrolet Sail Electric Vehicle concept at the Guangzhou Auto Show in China. The Chevrolet Sail electric concept vehicle was developed by Shanghai General Manager and the Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center in Shanghai. Based on the Chevrolet Sail that went on sale at the beginning of the year, it is an environmentally friendly small car that is targeted at ordinary Chinese families.
The Chevrolet Sail electric concept vehicle is powered by a lithium-ion battery with maximum output of 65 kW and utmost torque of 220 Nm. It has a maximum speed of 130 km/h and can go up to 150 KM on a single electric charge. It uses regenerative braking to produce additional energy. The Intelligent Charging Assisting System maximizes the energy conversion ratio. Inspiration has come from leaves, and is reflected across the exterior. The Chevrolet Sail electric concept vehicle features a simple yet modern interior along with a range of electronic amenities. It has adopted electric vehicle standards for safety set by SAE and ISO.
2010 Guangzhou Auto Show
At the 2010 Guangzhou Auto Show, General Motors is showcasing the Sail concept. This could be an important model for India as GM India could study the possibility of selling this car in India. General Motors has said it will display an electric vehicle in April 2011 and what you see here could very well be that model.
The Sail electric concept is powered using a lithium-ion battery pack with maximum output of 65 kW and maximum torque of 220 N·m (162 lb-ft). A top speed of 130 km/h (81 mph) is not very impressive but on a single charge it can travel upto 150 kilometers. Other popular Chevrolet cars are: Aveo, Aveo U-VA, Beat, Captiva and Cruze. Like some other hybrid and electric cars, the Sail EV features regenerative braking to produce additional power to charge batteries. Image of Chevrolet Sail hatchback has no connection to the story. Images of Sail EV coming up shortly.
Chevrolet UK offers free gift wrapping on new Beat
Christmas means Santa Claus. And Santa Claus means gifts.If you live in Britain and a new Chevrolet Beat is the best present for your loved one, then you don’t want to miss out on this. Chevrolet UK is present complimentary gift wrapping on the Beat (known as Spark in UK). Chevrolet claims the gift wrapped Spark makes “the opening ritual a bit more fun.” The offer is running as we speak and available to people who book their cars till the 21st of December (today).
A group of expert gift wrappers will then take over and use as many as ninety nine rolls of adhesive tape and forty six square meters of merry wrapping paper to prepare it for the “tadaa” moment. We wonder how many rolls of adhesive tape Chevrolet needs if this offer was available on the Chevrolet Captiva. One could purchase a new Spark with that money!
Rick Hendrick buys the first Chevrolet Volt
General Motors has confirmed the winning $225,000 bid for the first Chevrolet Volt, that was auctioned online. The winning bid came from Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports and chairman of Hendrick Automotive Group, has purchased the first Chevrolet Volt offered for sale. Proceeds will benefit science, math, engineering, and technology education initiatives through the Detroit Public Schools Foundation. “This was an opportunity to own a piece of history while giving back to the community,” said Hendrick, an avid car collector. “I have been a Chevrolet dealer for more than 30 years, and the Volt is one of the most exciting and important new cars since we opened our first dealership in 1976.
“Hendrick Motorsports has been racing Chevys since 1984, and any success we’ve had is due to the quality of our people,” continued Hendrick, who has won a record 10 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series car owner championships. “The Detroit Public Schools will prepare the next generation of talented engineers and technicians who will help Chevrolet and Hendrick Motorsports compete at a high level on the racetrack every weekend.”
Detroit Public Schools Foundation President and CEO, Chacona W. Johnson, believes the donation will make a meaningful difference for many Detroit students. Other popular models of Chevrolet are- Chevrolet Aveo, Beat, Cruze and Forester etc.“With Mr. Hendrick’s contribution, we have the opportunity to inspire thousands of children to learn about science, technology, engineering, and math,” said Johnson. “That inspiration will help make Detroit Public Schools students more successful in higher education, and better prepared for careers in the 21st century workforce.”
Chevrolet Camaro i42 by Irmcher
German tuner Irmcher has released a tuning program for the Camaro SS dubbed i42, that debuted few weeks ago at the Essen Motor Show. The Camaro i42 features a supercharged version of the 6200cc V8 that produces 502 horsepower. Together with partners Auto Magnus and Velocity Performance Parts, Irmcher engineers added a new supercharger, sport exhaust system, performance brakes and an adjustable sport suspension.
Other most popular Chevrolet cars in India are New Tavera, Cruze, Spark and Beat. The Camaro i42 rides on 22-inch alloy wheels in a black and silver design. The body features black racing stripes and a Since 68 stickers, with a reference to Camaro’s past. 0-100 km/h comes in 4 seconds and the top speed is 275 km/h. Prices in Germany start at €49,000 for the whole car based on the Camaro SS.
GMs Eeco rival spied
These are the first pictures of GM’s upcoming MPV offering, spotted by reader of leading auto magazine AutoCar India. Known as the Wuling Hong Tu in China (codename: N200 internally), this people-mover sports fresher styling than other offerings from the Wuling stable. When launched, the Hong Tu with its 2500mm wheelbase will compete with the Maruti Eeco. This model is powered by a 1.2-litre 85bhp petrol motor which qualifies it (along with a sub-four meter length) as a “small car” which entitles it to an excise saving in India. The rear wheel drive Hong Tu comes with a five-speed manual transmission. The base variant has rear leaf spring suspension while the top variant gets coil springs.
[Image courtsey: AutoCar India]
Don’t be put off by the strange sounding names of these products because they will be completely re-badged and in all likelihood sold under the “Tavera” moniker, the sub-brand GM is planning to create for its range of Wuling products. Also, these products will be modified for Indian conditions. This means giving them higher ground clearance and re-engineering them for overloading.Initial impressions of GM Wuling products indicate that they are indeed hardy if a touch crude. Reliability and durability are believed to be good but the fit and finish of the interiors is quite poor and well below Maruti standards. However, for the Indian market, these products which are expected in 2011-12 will be completely revamped and sold at prices that could send shockwaves through the industry.
[Source: AutoCar India]
Chevrolet India to Launch Spark 800 in 2011
General Motors (GM) plans to launch the Spark, for the Indian market in the next 24 months with a smaller engine. The new Spark will be GM’s lowest-priced car in India, fitted probably with an 800 cc engine and will compete against the Alto, Tata Nano, and Maruti 800. Chevrolet Spark is the smallest car offered in India by General Motors. At present, the Spark is powered by a 1- litre petrol engine and an LPG version is also available. Karl Slym, president, General Motors India, said, “We have a small-engine Spark available in the overseas market and are looking to bring it to India in the next twenty four months.”
The company sells the Chevrolet Spark 800 cc in South Africa at a price of around $ 5,220. GM will initially import the power train of the 800cc Spark till it localizes its production in India. Powered by a 795cc SOHC 3-cylinder gasoline engine, the smaller engine Spark produces maximum power of 51hp with torque of 68.6Nm. The 6 valve motor is highly fuel efficiency (22kmpl). Simultaneously GM is working on a diesel variant of the Beat and will be launching an LPG version in January, next year.
[Via: Bikes India]
General Motors cars to get expensive by January 2011
General Motor India is reporting a price hike early next year. The car creator would soon be investing $500 million in its expansion plans. There are plans to expand operations and launch new vehicles. The car manufacturer is also looking to ramp up dealership interact all over the country by next year. Speaking on the price hike, GM (India) Vice-President (Corporate Affairs) P Balendran said "We are reviewing the cost pressure, but there will be an increase in prices across models from the first week of January 2011. We typically increase prices between 1.5% and 3% of cars like Chevrolet Spark, Aveo, Captiva, Tavera, UV-A, Cruze and Optra ." "He added, "There is a huge input cost pressure. Some component prices have increased between 5 and 15%."
Speaking on the investment plans, Chevrolet India President and Managing Director Karl Slym said, "We have invested over $1 billion so far and we plan to invest another $500 million for our future expansion." The last price revision was done in June-July, after which GM had earmarked $500 million investment in the next two years to increase operations. Launching new vehicles and ramping up dealership network all over the country was also a part of the agenda. General Motors plans to launch 6 new vehicles in India over the next 24 months. The vehicles include van, hatchback, small car and the SUV models.
GM Launches Festive Edition Chevrolet Aveos
General Motors India has launched festive editions of the Aveo cars. Available in both hatchback and sedan variants, the Chevrolet Aveo and Aveo U-VA festive editions are available with a host of extra features to celebrate the coming new year.
The Chevrolet Aveo U-VA festive edition is available in 1.2 base and 1.2 LS variants and features : -
- Rear Parking Sensors
- Rear Spoiler
- Body Coloured door handles and outside mirrors with turn indicators
- Body Graphics
* 2-Din CD/Mp3 Music System with USB port and Bluetooth
The Aveo festive edition is available in 1.4 LS and 1.4 LS CNG variants and features : -
- Rear parking system with night vision camera
- Body coloured door handles and outside mirrors with turn indicators
- Body graphics
- 2 DIN touch screen music system with USB port, Bluetooth connectivity and reversing camera display.
Chevrolet Celebrates 100 Years With Vintage Car Drive
Chevrolet India flagged off the Vintage Car Drive to memorialize the celebrations of the closing of 100 years of the Chevrolet’s successful operations globally in next year 2011. The proud owners drove through new delhi cruising through the town on the morning of Sunday, October 31. The line-up for the drive included Chevrolet Cars convertibles, tourers, saloons, 2 and 4 door cars and coupes, dating back to 1926.
“It’s an exciting day to ride the 28 kilometers with vintage Chevrolet cars from India. The Drive recognizes not just these proud owners of our vintage cars but also commemorates the 100 years celebrations of Chevrolet globally. Chevrolet has always believed in bringing together the finest elements in its creations for its valued customers. This is a proud moment for us and this is a platform to recognize the brand values and Chevrolet promise that we stand by,” Mr Karl Slym said.