Chevy’s all-new UV-A for India

The Chevrolet UV-A is a good car, and has been acclaimed for its credentials. GM did a good job by launching this car in the nick of time and sales have not been all that bad too. After the doom of cars like Astra and Corsa which had the Opel tag on them, GM changed its marketing stragety and brought in its famed Chevrolet brand.

Having gotten serious about India, GM wants to make sure that every step it takes, is a calculated move to capitalize on the market trend. This might drive the company to offer an all-new UV-A sooner than what is expected.

The most prominent feature is the visually arresting exterior which now is characterized by a huge horizontally split grille section with a body-coloured crossbeam that houses the Chevrolet’s ‘bowtie’ corporate logo. An imposing air dam also adds to the aggressive look of the car. The front bumper also has a distinct look to it and houses neat looking fog lamps. The curved headlamps are of the clear-glass variety. The wheel arches lend a masculine look to the car’s stance.

The rear side of the car is equally likable and the large tail-lamps are eye-catching. The hatch door has a neat and tidy look which falls flawlessly into the solid rear bumper which, like the one upfront, is very aggressive in its look. The wide stance of the car is complimented by the prominent shoulder-line which helps it look tall.

The interior is an inspired effort, the Aveo sedan being looked at for the inspiration. The smart layout of the dash is complimented by the chrome-trimmed air con vents. A fully integrated audio unit looks neat and the soft-touch finish of the dash exudes a classy feel. Though the pictures suggest a dull and gray interior tone, when it comes to India, be sure that Chevrolet would offer shades of beige inside to give a more upmarket look to the car. The steering wheel mounted stereo control is a novel feature. Wish the horn buttons could be better. Optional features should include climate control and leather upholstery.

The 1.2L in its current form is surely a good option that Chevrolet has to power this car with. In addition to this, another engine of the same capacity but with a DOHC format might be offered and will offer close to 85 horses. This will surely heat up the things for the UV-A.

Expect this car to be on our shores by late 2008 or early 2009.