Chevrolet Sail U-VA to get 1.4 and 1.3 litre petrol and diesel engines

We have already caught the car on test and given out some spy shots too and now we also have an inclination on what engine Chevrolets little baby will be endowed with.

“The SAIL will be offered as a hatchback and a notchback. This model will replace the current Aveo line up. In fact the SAIL hatchback has been christened as the SAIL U-VA. Incidentally the SAIL will be offered with a 1.4 litre petrol and a 1.3 litre diesel. The diesel unit is the licensed MultiJet from Fiat and it is a proven engine here in India as well. The notchback will compete against the entry level midsize sedans such as the Dzire, Verito and Etios”

The above excerpt is from none other than Lowell Paddock, President and Managing Director, General Motors India who mentioned the same in an exclusive interview with ZigWheels. While we already knew the car would be positioned in the premium hatch segment, what is surprising is the displacement of the petrol motor. At 1400 cc, the U-VA will clearly miss out the excise benefits which are gained by its other 1200 cc counterparts. While it’s expected to be powerful is good news we wonder how GM will manage to price the U-VA better or on par with the competition considering the excise benefits will be negated. The diesel is the tried and tested 1.3 litre Multijet unit which is made and used by Fiat and also supplied to Maruti, Tata and Premier.

GM has also realized the potential in the entry level sedan segment and has rightly decided to bring out a notchback variant as well. Expect it to be priced below the Aveo and right on par with the Maruti Suzuki D’zire, the Mahindra Verito and the Toyota Etios. Pricing for both the models will be key and GM will have to get it right to give cars like the Swift a tough fight. Keep watching this space for more and don’t forget to check out the complete Lowell Paddock interview here.

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