Chevrolet Sail Hatch Skims Into China For $8,314

by Alex Luft
Jun 26th, 2010

Shanghai GM has begun taking preorders for the Chevrolet Sail hatchback. The Sail hatch is the least expensive Chevrolet in China and is available with a choice two four-cylinder engines: a 1.2 liter (available on the SE and SX trim levels) and an up-level 1.4 liter.

The 1.2 liter has a starting price of RMB 56,800 ($8,314 using current exchange rates) and can be mated to either a manual or an automatic electronic manual transmission (EMT) while the up-level 1.4 is available with an EMT only and starts at RMB 75,800 ($11,153). We’re not sure whether these engines are part of GM’s ECOTEC family, but I’m guessing they’re not – otherwise the trademark would be all over this one.

GM says that the Sail hatch has a “stylish exterior” and a “flexible interior” and that its boxy design maximizes the use of interior space. In fact, the trunk of the Sail hatch has a capacity of 330 gallons (1,250 liters) of space. According to GM, this is good for a 26-inch bike or a 56-inch LCD TV. The Sail hatch will join the Sail sedan that is currently selling at about 7,500 units per month.

And in case you’re wondering what, exactly, an electronic manual transmission (EMT) is (like we were) – here’s the description straight from GM’s press release:

The five-speed EMT transmission features Marelli technology, which has been updated by Shanghai GM and the Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center (PATAC) in Shanghai in line with local driving needs and driving conditions. Gear shifting, acceleration and the clutch are all controlled mechanically. The TCU computer module functions like a brain, choosing the best time for shifting gears based on driving conditions. The result is a 10-16 percent improvement in fuel economy compared to traditional automatic transmissions.

With the unique Creeping function, the driver only needs to control the brakes when reversing. Acceleration, the clutch and gear shifting are handled by the EMT. The EMT also costs less and has a lower maintenance cost than a standard automatic transmission.

The Sail hatch and sedan were completely developed by GM China and the Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center (PATAC) – a 50-50 joint venture between General Motors and its Chinese partner SAIC. The Sail hatch joins Chevy’s other small car offerings in China such as the Sail sedan, Aveo, and Lova (Aveo Sedan). GM believes that Chevrolet’s extensive lineup “offers an unmatched number of options for young families and other small car buyers across China.” The all-new Spark, however, is noticeably absent from the Chinese market at this time.

Chevrolet New Sail Hatchback Goes on Sale Across China
Priced from RMB 56,800 to RMB 66,800
2010-06-01

Shanghai – Shanghai GM began taking orders today for the Chevrolet New Sail hatchback. The 1.2-liter SE and 1.2-liter SX are currently available. The 1.4-liter EMT with an electronic manual transmission is expected to be available in three months. The three variants are priced from RMB 56,800 to RMB 66,800.

The New Sail sedan will also be available with an electronic manual transmission, with the 1.2-liter EMT SX and 1.4-liter EMT joining its lineup. The two variants will retail for RMB 66,800 and RMB 75,800, respectively. The New Sail sedan with a 1.2-liter manual transmission will join the lineup as well.

The New Sail hatchback maintains the four core advantages of its sister model, the New Sail sedan: high quality, a high level of safety, a roomy interior and low fuel consumption.

It has a stylish exterior that continues into its flexible interior. With its Boxy design, the New Sail hatchback maximizes the use of interior space. The hatchback offers 965 millimeters of headroom in back, ensuring a comfortable ride for all occupants. The rear seats can be folded in a 4/6 configuration or folded completely flat, providing 180 degrees of interior space.

The trunk area has up to 1,215 liters of space. With the seats folded flat, the hatchback can accommodate a 26-inch bicycle or even a 46-inch LCD TV. An integrated sliding rod makes it easy to reconfigure the rear seats in line with individual needs.

The five-speed EMT transmission features Marelli technology, which has been updated by Shanghai GM and the Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center (PATAC) in Shanghai in line with local driving needs and driving conditions. Gear shifting, acceleration and the clutch are all controlled mechanically. The TCU computer module functions like a brain, choosing the best time for shifting gears based on driving conditions. The result is a 10-16 percent improvement in fuel economy compared to traditional automatic transmissions.

With the unique Creeping function, the driver only needs to control the brakes when reversing. Acceleration, the clutch and gear shifting are handled by the EMT. The EMT also costs less and has a lower maintenance cost than a standard automatic transmission.

Since its launch earlier this year, the New Sail sedan has enjoyed average monthly sales of about 7,500 units. The New Sail complements Chevrolet’s other small car offerings, the Lova and Aveo. With its extensive lineup, Chevrolet offers an unmatched number of options for young families and other small car buyers across China.

General Motors, one of the world’s largest automakers, traces its roots back to 1908. With its global headquarters in Detroit, GM employs 205,000 people in every major region of the world and does business in some 140 countries. GM and its strategic partners produce cars and trucks in 34 countries, and sell and service these vehicles through the following brands: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, GM Daewoo, Holden, Jiefang, Opel, Vauxhall and Wuling. GM is the joint global automobile partner of World Expo 2010 Shanghai along with Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation Group (SAIC). More information on the new General Motors can be found at www.gm.com.

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