The newly launched Chevrolet Sail U-VA wishes to rub
shoulders with the segment leaders. We test it to know if it can be the future
crown bearer
It comes for granted that when you buy something a little
less expensive, you will have to make a compromise somewhere or the other. Like
a missing button on a shirt bought under a 50 per cent discount tag, a bunch of
annoying fellow travelers on a budget trip, poor air-conditioning in a fancy
hotel and, coming to the main topic, less cabin space in a small car. But why
should you? With the roads getting more crowded with every passing day,
diminishing parking space and sky-rocketing fuel prices, it does make sense to
buy a small car, but definitely not at the cost of your comfort.
The Chevrolet Sail U-VA is well known for its
comfortable ride quality and cabin space
Now that I have raised the bar so high, I must give you a
product that fits it well too and I have something apt in mind, the newly
launched Chevrolet Sail U-VA. The car has come at a time when there is already
a long list of options waiting for buyers in the market. That means the Sail
will have to fare exceptionally well vis-a-vis its rivals in every test in
order to make a good first impression. And does it? We find out.
A clutter-free dash, in dual tone hues is what the
Sail has on offer
The Chevrolet U-VA may not look like 'a sugar in a plum',
but was quite a head-turner on the public roads owing to its fresh looks. New
stretched back headlamps and edginess that the new styling brings along take
away the boring 'Plain Jane' feel from the looks of the Sail, which spoiled the
show for the old Chevrolet U-VA. What its sibling Beat does with sci-fi
'Transformers' looks. the Sail may not do that, but it will appeal to those
looking for a car that neither announces its arrival nor goes unnoticed.
Digital Tachometer is funky but does not indicate when
its best to shift
Open the door and you are welcomed by a rather humble
looking cabin. A wide windscreen offers good visibility. Basic instrumentation.
dual-tone interior and decent storage space make for the other highlights of
the cabin. The quality of plastic didn't quite feel up to the mark, though.
Air conditioning quality is excellent; No climate
control even on the top-end model
Talking of the engine and the drive, the new Sail comes with
a 1,248-cc, four-cylinder, turbo-diesel engine, the same mill that we know as
the 'FIAT Multijet', but with notable changes. Offering peak power and torque
of 78 PS and 205 Nm, respectively, the gearing of the Sail has been kept short
for the first three gears (thus necessitating frequent gear-shifts at lower
revs) and tall in the fourth and fifth gear, giving the car a better top-speed
than the competition (163 km/h).
Pull-up type door lock does not belong in the B+
segment or in the year 2012
The acceleration run showed that the car crossed the 100
km/h mark in a little over 16 seconds. Just as one would expect from a diesel
city car, the torque has been focused towards the bottom and the mid-range,
thus making the top end suffer a little. So the car offers a good drive through
the city, but doesn't feel that 'hot' on the highway.
