Auto Expo 2016: Chevrolet Spin and Cruze update to be showcased
Chevrolet is betting big on the Indian market. Last year, the company announced a massive Rs 6,660 crore investment in India in the coming years and the first car to be built in India with this fresh infusion of funds is the Spin MPV. The launch is slated for some time this year. Chevrolet also plans to give the Cruze a mild update for the Auto Expo and for sports car fans, the Bowtie brand will display the Corvette Z06 and Camaro.
Chevrolet Spin
The seven-seater Spin will compete with Honda Mobilio, Maruti Suzuki Ertiga and the Renault Lodgy. Chevrolet will target the Spin as an upmarket MPV compared to the Enjoy. Spy images doing the rounds on the internet show that the Spin is undergoing testing in India. The Spin is larger than the Enjoy so could be positioned with a slight premium, but expect it to compete on the pricing front with the Ertiga. The India Spec Spin will get the Fiat sourced 1.3-litre diesel engine developing 89bhp and 200Nm of torque and will come mated to a five-speed manual transmission. A 6-speed automatic might also be on the cards, but only on the petrol variants. Expect the Spin to come with a starting price of Rs 7 lakh (ex-showroom, New Delhi).
Chevrolet Cruze facelift
The updated Cruze coming to the Indian Auto Expo isn’t the one that has been showcased internationally. We only get a minor facelift. Updates include a larger grille, tweaked headlamps and tail lamps, LED DRLs and projectors in the headlights. The new Cruze will also get the MyLink infotainment system we recently saw in the Trailblazer. Features like Bluetooth connectivity, voice recognition and handsfree telephony. We expect a mild revision in prices.
Chevrolet Corvette Z06
It’s not often that one gets to see a Corvette in India, but every two years when its Auto expo time, Chevrolet makes sure that all the shiny metal in its lineup is there to ogle. This time it’s going to be the Corvette Z06. The Z06 has a massive 6.2-litre supercharged V-8 under the hood that generates 641bhp of max power and 881Nm of peak torque. All the big American horsepower is channeled through a seven-speed manual transmission to the rear wheels.
Chevrolet Camaro
A Camaro is coming to the Expo but we can’t confirm yet if it’s the latest generation model as it reaches dealerships in the US only towards the end of 2015. But Ford is bringing the new Mustang here so Chevrolet might want to steal some spotlight. From a 2.0-litre turbo to a 450 horsepower small block V8, the Camaro has a range of engines on offer. The engine is a close sibling of the one in the Corvette.
