Chevrolet Enjoy

This was the third time in six months that I was entering GM’s gates at Talegaon with all the three visits being for all-new vehicles. This makes it clear that the American giant means business this time around and is trying hard to get its share of the market. With the Sail U-VA and the Sail sedan already out, GM has brought out the third offering from its GM-SAIC joint venture, the Chevrolet Enjoy.  Now this isn’t the first time that we have laid eyes on the Enjoy. GM already showcased it at the 11th Auto Expo in Delhi and the response was terrific. A little over a year later, here it is in the flesh.

Chevrolet Spark facelift review

When Chevrolet first rolled out the Spark in 2007, it made its intentions clear with the little hatchback. The Spark was destined to be a cheap and cheerful hatchback designed specifically to provide basic transport from point A to point B. And although we know that the little hatchback is good for its intended usage, it never seemed to click with those on a strict budget in India.

That said, Chevrolet isn’t ready to throw in the towel just yet, and has given its Spark a much-needed facelift. But is that enough to garner fresh interest? Chevrolet thinks so.

The majority of the Spark's restyle is at the front, where the original car’s simplistic styling has been replaced by something that’s a whole lot more ‘in your face’. Leading the list of changes here is the new two-part grille that extends onto the redesigned front bumper, linking the Spark to other cars in Chevrolet’s line-up. If anything, this should help give the Spark a more premium image. The chrome piping in the region of the grille and fog-lamp enclosures also adds a bit of flash. The clear-lens headlamps help establish this as the new Spark. Viewed from the side, it’s only the black plastics on the door sills that distinguish the updated Spark from the old one. Similarly, changes at the rear too are restricted to the addition of a black panel on the lower portion of the bumper. 

The cabin, too, remains largely unchanged. The basic design of the dashboard is a carryover from the original Spark of 2007, but the plastics now come finished in a different shade of beige. A revised instrument cluster (with a digital tachometer) and new fabrics for the seats are the only other noteworthy changes. Sadly, Chevrolet has missed an opportunity to improve front-seat comfort on this update. As before, the seat base slopes slightly downwards and this can be quite uncomfortable on long drives. However, even so many years after launch, the Spark’s rear seat continues to impress with space and comfort, bettering the Alto on this vital count. Boot space though is quite compromised and you’ll be best off packing light. 

Styling update and minor changes to the cabin apart, the new Spark is pretty much the same car as before. Chevrolet has not tinkered with any of the car’s mechanicals, so it drives just like the Sparks of old. What that means is you get a smooth and linear power delivery from its 63bhp, 1.0-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine. Sure, the Spark is not particularly fast, but overall performance is more than acceptable for a city car. Helping the Spark’s city car credentials is its feather-light clutch that is allied with an equally light, if slightly notchy, five-speed gearbox. 

The Spark’s excellent manoeuvrability and its steering requires little effort to turn, which will make it very appealing for first-time car buyers. Ride quality and stability are also pretty impressive for a car of this class. In terms of economy, you can expect 12.3kpl in the city and 16.9kpl out on the highway. You also have the option of buying the Spark with a factory-fitted LPG kit. Interestingly, the Spark LPG is only available in the higher LS and LT trim levels. The base Spark (Rs 3.26 lakh, ex-showroom, Delhi) is only offered in petrol guise. In terms of features and pricing, the Spark is at par with the competition. The top-spec LT model that costs Rs 3.81 lakh gets decent kit with power windows on all four doors, power steering, internally adjustable rear-view mirrors, rear defogger and an MP3 CD player with Aux and USB input. However, airbags are not offered even as an option.  

So in conclusion, the new Spark holds on to its core strengths of being a city-friendly and easy-to-drive car with a comfortable back seat. It now has more flamboyant styling, it still offers good value, is fuel efficient and thanks to Chevrolet’s service incentives, should be cheap to maintain as well. All in all, the Spark maintains its status as one of the best hatchbacks to buy for those on a tight budget.

Chevrolet Orlando

The Multi Purpose Utility concept vehicle of the General Motors- Chevrolet Orlando- has got European flair of design, the roofline is low and rest of the body matches to crossover like built. The front face of the MPV carries trademark appearance comprising of bow-tie-badge, and split radiator grille. The vehicle has been adorned with sweeping headlamps like Chevy Cruze, wraparound tail lights, flared fender lines, sporty stance, etc.  The side view of the Orlando looks very gentle with minimum art work, it has body colour stylish rear view mirrors and door handles. The rear side of the Chevrolet Orlando has got new design tail lamps, full-length glass-roof, twin chrome finished exhaust system.

CHEVROLET EQUINOX review

SRX, brings a quicker, more responsive feel without worse gas mileage. But our recommendation for most shoppers with the 2013 Equinox remains the fuel-efficient (and lower cost) four-cylinder models. With 182 horsepower, the 2.4-liter four idles smoothly, albeit with a somewhat clattery direct-injection sound, and once underway it's agreeable and unobtrusive. The combination comes with a stellar 32-mpg highway rating, too. The Equinox doesn't track as confidently on the highway as we'd like, but this is first and foremost a family vehicle.

Chevrolet Beat Review

Chevrolet Beat is a sporty hatchback in B segment of cars. The small car was launched in 2010 in petrol-only variant. Then in February 2011, General Motors launched the LPG variants of Beat and finally the much awaited Chevrolet Beat Diesel was launched in July 2011. The Chevrolet Beat diesel literally triggered a price war among diesel hatchbacks in India. The diesel car spreads its glory with a mileage of 25.44 kmpl and is the most fuel efficient car of India.

chevrolet spark; the average looking average car

Personally the experience that I have had with Chevrolet Spark hasn’t been really good. I finally understood why Chevrolet India gives a 3 years warranty. This car is good if one changes their car every 2-3 years. Right when the warranty got over, the visits to the service centre increased. The car is cheap no doubt but the spare parts are priced sky high. This was my first car that I bought out of my own pocket and I am not happy with it, more because of the service that I get every time I have to visit the service centre.