Metro Plus
Bangalore
Chennai
Coimbatore
Delhi
Hyderabad
Kochi
Chevrolet's sedan encore
|
First came the Optra, and it's now the smaller Aveo that wears the Chevrolet badge proudly. ASHISH MASIH says it could well be king of its class
|
The Aveo looks much bigger than it really is - a good thing here in India, where bigger almost always means better
TAKE A BOWTIE The handsome, Fiesta-sized Chevrolet Aveo is part of a Daewoo-based product line-up destined for the Indian subcontinent
Arch rivals the world over; General Motors and Ford simply hate to be one-upped by the other. Last year, when Ford launched the Fiesta and ran away with close to ten thousand bookings, GM was certainly paying close attention, and here is its reply to the Fiesta. The Aveo sedan is the first car of a troika that GM plans to launch this year. The three new cars should give it a substantial product line-up and ensure that it becomes a bigger player in the Indian subcontinent. The arrival of the Aveo also marks the end of the unsuccessful Opel brand in India, with GM only focussing on the Chevrolet brand.
Looks that cook
Giorgetto Giugiaro's Italdesign studio in Turin, Italy is responsible for the Aveo's looks. With a raised stance that's probably due to its massive 181mm ground clearance, the Aveo is probably one of the tallest cars in its class. From a distance it does resemble its bigger sibling, the Optra - a huge one-piece grille is similar and the bowtie badge on it ensures you can't mistake it for any other brand on the road. Also, the Aveo looks much bigger than it really is; a good thing here in India, where bigger almost always means better. The overall design is modern and handsome without being offending or fussy. Vis-à-vis the smaller engined, 1.4 variant, the top-of-the-line 1.6 features a rear spoiler and a chrome strip running above the number plate on the boot, in addition.
The interiors are a nice mix of beige, grey and tan. The dashboard is funky, and all components feel well built. There is not a single plastic bit around that feels cheap. The quality of the fabric is also good and lends an upmarket feel to the cabin. The gauges have silver surrounds around them and their design is similar to the Optra's. The front seats offer good support and the driving position is comfortable. The rear seats are comfortable too despite a much too-raked backrest and there is plenty of room to sit three adults in comfort. The cabin feels roomy and there is an overall feel of plushness to the picture inside.
Forces that motivate
Chevrolet sells the car with two engine options - a 1.4 and a 1.6-litre. The 1.4 litre engine churns out 94bhp, but is a bit gruff and becomes quite audible as soon as you decide to rev the motor. Even mild revs make it lose its smoothness that it shows when at idle. In the case of the 1.6, Chevrolet has done some smart organ sharing with the Optra - yes, it's the same 16-valve E-tec motor, but seems astonishingly less refined here, despite the fact that there are hydraulic mounts holding the engine. This could however be due to the overall weight of the Optra being greater, which helps it absorb residual vibrations.
Most of this can be forgiven, but in an age when cars are getting to be driver-centric, one big issue needs to be addressed. The gearbox is unforgivably notchy and this slow-witted unit doesn't like an eager shift. This is more pronounced at lower speeds and can get quite irritating.
Dances with tarmac
The car doesn't like being hustled through corners either. The explicitly raised suspension makes its presence felt while cornering hard, and the car exhibits considerable body roll. No, the Aveo is definitely not for the boy racer or for driving in the `fast and furious' mode.
However, the redeeming factor is this - the ride quality of the car though over broken patches is impressive, the long-travel suspension absorbs bumps well, and unlike other competing cars, the Aveo doesn't throw its passengers around. The suspension however is pretty audible over large bumps and potholes. The wide 185 tubeless tyres also aid the good ride. Chevrolet has wisely chosen to give all the variants these tyres, which should help in making the Aveo's ride one of the best in the market.
In the end, though, it all comes down to the price, which in Aveo's case is thankfully quite reasonable. This Fiesta-sized sedan is relatively spacious, but both its engines are a bit on the harsher side and there is no diesel option either. But starting at Rs 5.54 lakh (1.4 base variant, ex-showroom, Delhi), it's priced quite well and even this economy version comes with necessary features like power windows, power steering and even a defogger. And don't forget this one - all Chevys in India come with a bumper-to-bumper, peace-of-mind package that includes a big warranty, free servicing for two years and breakdown assistance. Yes, the Aveo may lack sheer brilliance but more than makes up for it with an overall feel-good factor, a plush ride, comfort and great looks.
TECHNICAL DATA
CHEVROLET AVEO
How much?
Rs 5.54 to 7.35 lakh
(ex-showroom, Delhi)
How big?
Length: 4,310 mm
Width: 1,710 mm
Height: 1,505 mm
Wheelbase: 2,480 mm
Fuel tank capacity: 45 litres
Engine
Versions: 1399cc/ 1598cc, 4 cylinders, petrol
Max power: 94 bhp/ 102 bhp
Max torque: 12.95 kgm/ 14.99 kgm
Performance
0-100 kph: 13.2/ 12.4 seconds
Transmission
5-speed manual, synchromesh
Tyres
185/60 R14
Printer friendly
page
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Metro Plus
Bangalore
Chennai
Coimbatore
Delhi
Hyderabad
Kochi
|
