Chevrolet Essentia Spied Testing In India

Launch date is likely to be in the first quarter of 2017

American carmaker Chevrolet has had a quiet 2016. The coming year, however, will be a lot different. The auto giant is expected to launch the new Beat hatchback and the sub-4 metre sedan, the Essentia. The latter was showcased at the 2016 Auto Expo and a test mule was recently spotted testing in India. The sedan shares its underpinnings with the next-gen Beat and is smaller in dimensions than the Chevrolet Sail sedan, which is currently on sale in India. 

Destined to land in one of the most hotly contested segments, Chevrolet is expected to leave no stone unturned with the Essentia, which will likely get a funky interior design and features like Chevrolet MyLink 2 infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support, and reverse camera with parking sensors. All variants are expected to boast dual airbags with ABS as part of the standard kit. Under the hood, the sub-4 metre sedan will, in all probability, get an option of a 1.2-litre petrol motor or a 1.3-litre diesel engine. Power will be transferred to the road via a five-speed manual transmission and an AMT (automated manual transmission) might be offered as well.

Chevrolet is expected to launch the Essentia in the first quarter of 2017. Once launched, it will lock horns with the Tata Tigor (It has been reported that Tata will launch the Tigor on March 29, 2017), Honda Amaze, Hyundai Xcent, Tata Zest, Volkswagen Ameo, Ford Figo Aspire and the Maruti Suzuki Dzire. All these cars have their unique selling points and Chevrolet must come up with at least one of its own. Prices are likely to hover around the Rs 4.5-7 lakh bracket.