GM also unveiled today at the Chinese auto show the Chevrolet New Sail which comes in two body styles - hatchback and sedan. The Chevrolet New Sail is powered by either a 1.2-liter or a 1.4-liter engine coupled with an electronic manual transmission (EMT). The company says the new EMT gearbox of the Chevrolet New Sail combines the convenience of an automatic with the fuel consumption of a manual.
The Chevrolet New Sail features the company's Boxy design offering 965 mm of headroom and a 1,215 liters of luggage space.
The Chevrolet New Sail aims to attract younger customers and more female customers. The Chevrolet New Sail price list and options will be announced at a later date.
Chevrolet Press Release:
The Chevrolet New Sail family has grown with the introduction of a hatchback and the addition of an electronic manual transmission (EMT). Both the Chevrolet New Sail hatchback and a Chevrolet New Sail sedan equipped with the EMT are being shown at Auto China 2010 in advance of their introduction to the market by Shanghai GM in June.
“The Chevrolet New Sail has set a new standard for its segment, raising the bar for safety, convenience, quality and overall value for money since its launch in January,” according to Shanghai GM President Ding Lei. “The addition of a hatchback and the EMT transmission will give consumers a greater choice in the domestic small car segment.”
Boxy Hatchback Design
The hatchback version of the Chevrolet New Sail is aimed at young urban families who want something more than the ordinary passenger car.
It is expected to attract younger customers and more female customers than the original Chevrolet New Sail sedan.
The Chevrolet New Sail hatchback utilizes the Boxy design concept, which is becoming increasingly popular among designers of everything from bags to chairs.
With the Boxy design, the Chevrolet New Sail hatchback maximizes the use of interior space.
Rear seat headroom has been optimized; the hatchback offers 965 mm, ensuring a comfortable ride for all occupants. The trunk area has up to 1,215 liters of space.
The rear seats of the Chevrolet New Sail hatchback can be folded in a 4/6 configuration or folded completely flat, providing 180 degrees of interior space. With the seats folded flat, the hatchback can accommodate a 26-inch bicycle or even a child’s wardrobe. An integrated sliding rod makes it easy to reconfigure the rear seats in line with individual needs. The hatchback itself has a square opening, making the loading and unloading of goods a pleasant experience.
The Chevrolet New Sail hatchback will come with a
choice of 1.2-liter or 1.4-liter engines. The special extra cheese yellow body color is also being offered.
Efficient EMT
Both the Chevrolet New Sail hatchback and sedan will offer the five-speed EMT transmission. The new transmission combines the convenience of an automatic transmission with the better fuel economy of a manual transmission. It also costs less and has a lower maintenance cost than a common automatic transmission.
The transmission features Marelli technology, which has been updated by Shanghai GM and the Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center (PATAC) in Shanghai in line with local driving needs and driving conditions.
Gear shifting, acceleration and the clutch are all controlled mechanically. The TCU computer module functions like a brain, choosing the best time for shifting gears based on driving conditions. The result is a 15 percent improvement in fuel economy compared to traditional automatic transmissions.
With the unique Creeping function, the driver only needs to control the brakes when reversing. Acceleration, the clutch and gear shifting are handled by the EMT.
High Standard of Safety
Both the hatchback and sedan have been designed to achieve four-star ratings in China New Car Assessment Program (C-NCAP) testing. The hatchback meets the same safety standards as the sedan, with extensive use of high-intensity steel, steel-beam protection, and an energy-absorbing design for optimum occupant protection. Dual air bags in front, an energy-absorbing steering column, child safety locks and equipment for holding a child safety seat are all available. The Chevrolet New Sail is also designed to help protect pedestrians in the event of a collision.
“GM’s largest global brand, Chevrolet, is synonymous with sporty design, driving enjoyment and fuel-efficient technology,” said Ding Lei. “It has been acclaimed by the young generation in China. The Chevrolet New Sail lineup is expected to boost the sales of Chevrolet nationwide.”
