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Chevrolet Sail

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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by 188.123.231.4 (talk) at 15:43, 24 April 2012 (→‎Second generation (2010–present)). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Chevrolet Sail
2011 Chevrolet Sail sedan
Overview
ManufacturerShanghai-GM
Production2001–present
AssemblyYantai, Shandong, China
Body and chassis
ClassSupermini
Body style4-door sedan
5-door wagon
5-door hatchback
LayoutFF layout
RelatedOpel Corsa B

The Chevrolet Sail is a supermini which is produced by Shanghai General Motors[1]. Launched in 2001, the car was sold as Buick Sail, both in sedan and wagon form which were both based on Opel Corsa B. Since 2005 as the brand Chevrolet was officially introduced in China, the car received a facelift and its name was changed to Chevrolet Sail and Sail SRV. In 2010 the new Sail has got a complete new design. The new Sail offers sedan and hatchback variations. The latest Chevrolet Sail has been exported to Chile[2], Ecuador[3] and other devoloping countries in North Africa and Middle East.

First generation (2001–2009)

Buick Sail S-RV (2001–2004)

Buick Sail

On 12th December 2000, the first Chinese-made Buick rolled off the production line as part of trial production. Series production commenced in April 2001.[4] This car was the first compact car produced by the SAIC-GM joint-venture, and was aimed squarely at young families. The Buick Sail was based on Opel Corsa B, and the body design is shared with the Brazilian Chevrolet Corsa Classic and India's Opel Corsa Joy. This four-door saloon bodywork was never offered in Europe, instead being intended for developing markets. The only engine choice is a 1.6 litre, 92 PS (68 kW) inline-four engine, coupled to a five-speed manual transmission.[5] The price was unter 100,000 RMB. The car went on sale in June 2001.

Shanghai Auto Saibao SAC6420

In December 2001, the wagon version, Buick Sail S-RV, was also introduced to the Chinese consumers. Basically this vehicle is also a body variation of the Opel Corsa B. The engine is the same as the Sail sedan. In June 2002, SAIC subsidiary SAIC-Yizheng introduced a locally built version of the Corsa-based Opel Combo glazed tallboy van as the "Shanghai Auto (Shangqi) Saibao SAC6420".[4] Equipped with the same 1.6 litre engine and five-speed manual transmission as the Buick Sail (albeit only with 90 PS (66 kW)*), it was produced in fairly small numbers (2,053 cars in 2004, for instance[4]) until 2005. "Saibao" has sometimes been anglicized as "Sabre". There was also a Saibao DeLuxe version available, with alloy wheels and other extras. The Saibao could reach 160 km/h (99 mph).[6]

Chevrolet Sail

Chevrolet Sail (2005–2009)

In February 2005, the Chevrolet brand was introduced to China, where it was described as a "younger" brand than Buick. As part of an endeavour to redefine the brand image of Buick, the Sail became the first Chinese-built Chevrolet passenger car.[7] The Chevrolet Sail (SGM7165) received a locally upgraded design. The interior was also refined. Both sedan and wagon (now the SGM7166) forms were kept, although production of the Saibao Van ended. While sharing the original's wheelbase, the new wagon version (at 4,097 mm) is 71 mm longer than the old one's 4,026 mm. The 90 PS, 1.6 litre-engine option remained unchanged, while the transmission options originally were limited to a five-speed manual but were later joined by a four-speed automatic. Claimed top speed for the manual versions is 177 km/h (110 mph).[8]

Rear view of the Chevrolet Sail Sedan (2005–2009)

In autumn 2006 the Chevrolet Sail was exported to Chile as Chevrolet Corsa Plus. The Corsa Plus includes dual front airbags, anti-lock brakes, air conditioning, electric windows and central locking as standard equipment.

The production in Shanghai-GM ceased at the beginning of 2009. But at the same time the Chevrolet Classic and its wagon version Chevrolet Classic SW adopted the design of the Chevrolet Sail and were released in Latin America as 2010 model year. Until now the sedan version is still available in Argentina and Brazil, but the models offered in those countries are equipped with different engines. In Argentina the Classic is powered by a 1.4 L 8V 69 kW engine. And the model offered in Brazil has a 1.0 L Flexpower engine, of which the output is 56.7 kW when fueled with gasoline, or 57.4 kW with alcohol.[9][10]

Second generation (2010–present)

On 11th January 2010 Shanghai-GM introduced the all-new Chevrolet Sail.[11] This car was designed and engineered by PATAC. A 1.2-liter S-TEC II 64 kW engine and a 1.4-liter 76 kW S-TEC III engine can be both offerd. The transmission options include a five-speed manual and a five-speed electronic manual transmission (EMT). It is said that this car was engineered to archive 4 stars in China New Car Assessment Program (C-NCAP). Airbags, central locking, AUX in/ USB input and Powerful steering are offerd as standard. The pricing begins from 56,800 RMB.

At the 2010 Auto China in Beijing GM unveiled the Sail hatchback. This car is about 3947 mm long. But its trunk area has up to 1,215 liters of space. Engines and transmissions are also shared with Sail sedan. On 21st October 2010 the first new Sails were exported to Chile and Libya.[12] The local Chevrolet dealers take care of the Sail services.

At the 2010 Guangzhou International Automobile Exhibition GM showed a EV version of the Sail Hatchback.[13] Although this concept car does not wear a Chevrolet badge, it is still a part of the Chevrolet's worldwide electric vehicle stragety.[14] According to GM's press release this car has a 65 kW motor which has a maximum torque of 220 Nm. Top speed is about 130 km/h and the driving range with full battery is claimed as 150 km. It was also reported that this car had reached the electric vehicle safety requirements set by SAE and ISO.

At the New Delhi Auto Expo 2012 the Chevrolet Sail hatchback made its Indian debut, alongside with the Chevrolet MPV Concept, a rebadged GM-Wuling Hong Guang microvan.[15] The Sail will go on sale in India later 2012. The engineers at the GM Technical Center – India in Bangalore have participated in localization of the vehicle, in order to meet the local requirements.

References

  1. ^ 2011雪佛兰新赛欧两厢(Chinese)
  2. ^ Chevrolet Sail - auto sedán compacto (Chile, Spanish)
  3. ^ Carros Chevrolet SAIL (Ecuador, Spanish)
  4. ^ a b c World of Cars 2006·2007. Warsaw, Poland: Media Connection Sp. z o.o. 2006. p. 237.
  5. ^ 别克赛欧今日下线 三种配置售价10—12.5万元(Chinese)
  6. ^ De Feyter, Tycho (2011-12-08). "Spotted in China: Shanghai Auto Saibao panel van". CarNewsChina.com.
  7. ^ World of Cars 2006·2007, p. 238
  8. ^ World of Cars 2006·2007, p. 395
  9. ^ Chevrolet Classic 4 Puertas (Argentina, Spanish)
  10. ^ Chevrolet Classic (Brazil, Portuguese)
  11. ^ Shanghai GM Introduces Chevrolet New Sail Small Car
  12. ^ 雪佛兰新赛欧实现批量出口 首批订单近万辆(Chinese)
  13. ^ General Motors Participates in Guangzhou Auto Show
  14. ^ Chevrolet to Produce Spark EV All-Electric Vehicle
  15. ^ Chevrolet Sail Premium Hatchback and MPV Concept Make Indian Debut
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