January 5, 2010, New Delhi: General Motors India has showcased 11 production and concept vehicles at the 10th Auto Expo which opened in New Delhi today. The vehicles have been displayed under three themes of “Chevrolet Green, Chevrolet Performance and Chevrolet Hot Hatch” categories. The Chevrolet Green theme will include the much awaited Hybrid Volt, the Electric Spark which runs on an all electric drive train, the Aveo CNG and the well established Spark LPG. The ‘Chevrolet Performance’ theme covers, the all muscle legendry Camaro SS, WTCC Cruze race car alongwith the Captiva, the recently launched Chevy Cruze and the Optra Magnum. The third theme that takes the center-stage is the ‘Chevrolet Hot Hatch’ section that includes the all new Chevrolet Beat, launched on 4th January with its established siblings, the Chevy Spark and the Aveo U-va. The Chevrolet Beat which made its national debut on Monday is clearly the most stylish mini car in the market representing the fresh face of the Global New Chevrolet design philosophy.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Karl Slym, President and Managing Director, General Motors India said “display of an array of GM's latest generation vehicles at the Auto Expo demonstrates and reiterates GM's continued commitment to this market. We brought these outstanding models to India to demonstrate our technological prowess in terms of green technology, performance, latest design philosophy, envrionment friendly mobility solutions, and to seek local feedback on our products, brands and technologies that we believe have long-term potential in the domestic market, he added.
CHEVROLET GREEN:
Chevy Volt
The Chevrolet Volt is an electric vehicle with extended-range capability. It is expected to drive up to 40 miles OR 64 kms on electricity without using a single drop of petrol or producing tailpipe emissions. It is a revolutionary car that is a significant departure from conventional hybrids as wheels are powered by an electric drive unit always. A 16 kWh, T shaped Lithium-ion battery pack powers the electric drive unit capable of meeting full vehicle speed and acceleration requirements. For longer trips, the on-board range-extending engine is used to drive an electric generator when the battery’s energy has been depleted. This creates additional electricity to power the car for hundreds of kms. It is estimated that Chevrolet Volt will save about 1,892 liters of petrol every year based on 64kms of daily driving / 24,000kms annually.
The Volt is more than its advanced electric propulsion system. With technology beyond the battery, the Volt takes personalization, feedback and interaction to new levels. The Volt’s “Efficiency Meter” in the digital instrument cluster gives the driver real-time feedback on driving efficiency. The heating and cooling system has three efficiency modes, while activating the Volt’s “Green Leaf” button provides access to vehicle Power Flow, Charging and Energy information. The driver will be able to set the charging schedule inside the vehicle or remotely, based on time of day or cost. And the Volt even has audio and visual cues to alert the driver when the car powers on, off and when charging is activated.
Chevrolet Volt will make its US debut in late 2010. Introduction in India will also be evaluated as we showcase the car in AutoExpo 2010.
Electric Spark (e-Spark)
The “e-Spark” is GM India's bold move into the Battery Powered Electric Vehicles and will be India's first 4 door Passenger Electric Vehicle! The e-Spark is a local initiative of GM India in collaboration with Reva Electric Car Company. This is a path breaking initiative that has the ability to re-define how automotive companies in India plan for future mobility solutions keeping the carbon footprints and environmental issues in mind. The e-Spark will be one of the leading platforms of GM India in its Drive to Green initiative.
The e-Spark is a true Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV). It is going to be based on the existing Chevrolet Spark architecture and will be powered by the RECC EV powertrain. The vehicle will be equipped with a host of smart consumer friendly features.
This car will boast of smart and comfortable seating for four. The 4 doors will allow for ease of entry and exit. The e-Spark will be an "automatic drive" car owing to its unique propulsion system and will be extremely easy to drive without the hassles of using a clutch in the dense city traffic conditions. The easy drive system will be coupled with an equally informative and intelligent Driver Display System that will provide all necessary and vital signals on the dashboard, easily visible to the driver.
The Electric Drive AC Motor provides 100% torque on tap as soon as the accelerator pedal is pressed down. This leads to fantastic acceleration performance. The e-Spark will have a Regular Drive Mode and a Boost Mode that will provide power to the vehicle through a high torque AC electric motor. The Boost Mode will provide additional torque to the driver for a short duration to manage driving style and during those critical moments on the go! The e-Spark will be launched end of this year.
Aveo CNG
The Chevrolet Aveo CNG is being launched with a company backed Sequential Injection type CNG kit. Sequential Injection represents the most advanced level of evolution for what concerns the equipment of gas injection. In the sequential system the ECU calculates the opening times of the injectors for each cylinder and acts separately on each gas injector with highest precision.
The highlights of Aveo CNG are:
- Sequential Injection kit with precise control of fuel delivery through electronic injectors ensuring efficient combustion
- Minimal deterioration in performance in petrol mode
- Hardened Valve seats and Anodized pistons are used in the proven 1.4L VGIS petrol engine. This ensures no engine damage or reliability issues on CNG mode.
- Minimum service requirement owing to advanced electronic operation.
- Reworked suspension that leaves the ride and handling unchanged after CNG kit fitment.
The customers will have an option of running the Chevrolet Aveo on CNG that will give class leading performance and fuel economy without any impact on vehicle warranty. The Chevrolet Aveo CNG also comes with a 3 years/100,000-km standard warranty, which is an industry first in the midsize sedan segment, and a service interval of 5,000 km or six months (whichever comes first).
The Aveo CNG will be made available first in Delhi by end of January.
Spark LPG
Chevrolet Spark has been ruling the JD Power Asia Pacific IQS study for 3 years in a row. This entry level Hatchback provides unbeatable value through its modern, dynamic styling, unmatched fuel economy and class leading comfort and convenience.
The Spark is one of the world’s most popular mini-cars. Since its launch in 1998, about 2 million vehicles have been sold in well over 100 markets.
The fun styling on the outside is complemented by a groundbreaking interior, which has a completely redesigned cockpit. Positioned at the centre of the dashboard and easily visible to all occupants is the new age speedometer cluster with a digital panel containing tachometer and other warnings. The interior is richly appointed in premium beige colour across all trim levels, with high-quality fabrics used on seats and door trims.
Chevrolet Spark LPG was launched in May 2009 with a segment leading sequential injection technology in May 2009. This technology ensures that the Spark provides spirited drive to the customer on LPG mode as there is negligible power drop, while bringing the economical running cost of the LPG fuel.
The advantages of Sequential Injection system are:
1) Precise control of fuel delivery through electronic injectors ensuring efficient combustion
2) Minimal deterioration in performance in petrol mode
3) Precise spark control on various engine conditions.
4) No backfire thereby preventing any engine damage
5) Minimum service requirement owing to advanced electronic operation.
The Chevrolet Spark LPG also comes with a three-year/100,000-km standard warranty, which is an industry first in the mini-car segment, and a service interval of 5,000 km or six months (whichever comes first).
CHEVROLET PERFORMANCE
Camaro
The New Chevrolet Camaro combines great looks and performance; advanced technology and surprising efficiency. The 2010 Camaro honours its heritage while delivering on customer expectations of a sports coupe for the 21st century. The all new Camaro was created to meet that mission. It was developed by an international team of designers and engineers who made sure that it was 21st century on entry level.
With a design almost mirroring the original concept and paying homage to the first generation model, the 2010 Camaro acknowledges its heritage and features classic proportions over its 2,852 mm wheelbase. The aerodynamic qualities are not compromised by the Camaro’s muscular stance, and drag co-efficient is kept low, due to a long hood and short deck.
Designed to compete with the best in the world, a state of the art fully independent suspension system gives the 2010 Camaro a very light and nimble feel.
The SS model is equipped with a 6.2L V8 pumping out a 462 hp at 6400 rpm and 609 Nm at 4800 rpm of torque. Indeed, the surprising fuel efficiency of the new Camaro enhances the driving experience.
The Camaro offers a comprehensive system of safety features including the use of high strength and ultra high-strength steel in key areas throughout the structure. A comprehensive 8 air bag system, safety belt load limiters and front passenger air-bag deployment suppression detection systems combine to ensure safety too is high on the agenda for Camaro.
WTCC Cruze
In 2005, Chevrolet embarked in the World Touring Car Championship (WTCC), one of the only three FIA world Championships, next to Formula One and the World Rally Championship (WRC). This was meant to show our confidence in our products and their qualities to the public, our dealers and employees. The WTCC features cars close to the regular production products: ‘Real cars, real racing’ is the championship’s tag-line that very appropriately encapsulates both the spirit of the WTCC and Chevrolet.
The new Chevrolet WTCC weapon has also been developed by the UK-based Ray Mallock Ltd (RML), one of the leading world specialists in Touring, GT and Rally cars. Over the years, the racing adventure with Chevrolet that started in the spring of 2005 has steadily progressed, from the indispensible ‘learning curve’, against fierce and much more experienced competitors.
Sportiness is enshrined in the very DNA of the new Chevrolet Cruze, and this is expressed in the involvement in the WTCC. Aptitude to race, as said, has been an element taken into account by the multi-national team that has designed the Cruze, with a close relationship with the racing team engineers. In 2009, the Cruze won 6 races including 2 on the new street circuit of Marrakech (Morocco) and at the grand finale in Macau (China).
Captiva Xtreme
Chevrolet Captiva was launched in India at the AutoExpo 2008. Since its launch, the Captiva has established a clear niche for itself and has emerged as a top contender in the premium SUV space. GM India is now launching a limited edition of Captiva called the Xtreme. The highlights of Captiva Xtreme are:
- A New Front Bumper
- Electric Sunroof
- Sporty Red & Black two tone interior trim
- Black Bezel Headlamps
- Smoked Lens Tail Lamps
- Based on the 2.0 VCDi LT variant offering Front Wheel Drive and Manual Transmission.
The vehicle also sports the limited edition logo "XTREME" at the rear to identify the SUV. The Captiva Xtreme is set to further build the vehicle as a robust, modern and sporty vehicle.
The other vehicles showcased in the ‘Chevrolet Performance’ theme are the existing Optra Magnum and the recently launched, bold-stylish-aggressive Chevrolet Cruze.
CHEVROLET HOT HATCH
Chevy Beat
The highlight of the Hot Hatch theme is the all new Chevrolet Beat. Sexy, Smart & Tough - New Global mini car to be the key pillar of Chevrolet’s growth strategy in India. Based on GM’s global mini-vehicle architecture, experts took 27 months to develop the Beat. Chevrolet Beat will be launched in over 150 markets around the world including those in Europe, other parts of Asia and North America in the coming days.
With its best-in-segment design, performance and safety, the Beat is destined to become an industry benchmark and a winner among consumers in India. The Beat is a car that is ideal for those with a modern lifestyle. With the styling of a sporty hatchback, it showcases the new direction of Chevrolet design and a new trend in the design of mini-cars.
The Beat comes with a new generation Smart-TEC II 1.2L engine delivering a class leading 80.5ps and an exceptionally high fuel efficiency of 18.6kmpl per ARAI tests.
There is liberal use of High Strength and Ultra-High Strength Steel in the body of Chevrolet Beat. It is also offered with host of active and passive safety features like Dual Airbags, Seatbelts with Load Limiters, ABS and Tubeless Tyres. In fact, the Chevrolet Beat has already received high Star ratings in the Euro NCAP tests.
The Beat also offers some segment first luxury features like Automatic Climate Control and Tilt Steering. An integrated rear spoiler is also standard which adds style and also improves the aerodynamics of the car enabling better fuel efficiency.
The Beat comes in three trim levels: 1.2, 1.2LS and 1.2LT. In addition to this there is an Option pack available on LT that consists of ABS, Alloy wheels, Dual Airbags and Seatbelts with Load limiters.
In addition to the Beat, the Incredibly Spacious Aveo U-VA is also presented in the ’Hot Hatch’ theme. The Aveo U-VA is a well-established brand in the premium HB segment and will continue to appeal due to its unique product strengths.
