Chevrolet Essentia compact sedan spotted testing; to be launched in early 2017

General Motors India unveiled the Chevrolet Beat Activ crossover and Essentia compact sedan concepts at Auto Expo 2016. Both the vehicles are based on the next generation Beat hatchback which is also due in 2017. The company has started testing of the compact sedan and a test mule was recently spotted testing.

The spy picture taken by Carwale shows limited information on the vehicle as it is partially camouflaged. The sub-four metre sedan is expected to features same styling of the concept form when it is launched early next year.

Chevrolet claims that Essentia has been designed in GM Korea Design Studio to specifically suit the taste of the Indian consumer. The face of the compact sedan gets a split grille with a bowtie logo which is a signature design cue of Chevrolet cars. The grille is flanked by swept back smoked headlamps. The side profile is similar to Beat up to the C-pillar, while the rear gets a small boot. The boot is well integrated into the car and is cohesive to the overall design.

The interior of the compact sedan comes with two-tone upholstery. The vehicle also gets three-spoke steering wheel similar to Beat. Essentia will be powered by a 1.2-litre STEC II engine that is good for 77bhp and 107Nm and the diesel mill will be a 1.0-litre XSDE unit 56bhp and 142.5Nm. Both the engines will be mated to a five-speed manual gearbox.

Chevrolet Essentia will go up against Maruti Suzuki Swift DZire, Ford Figo Aspire, Hyundai Xcent, Honda Amaze, Volkswagen Ameo and Tata Zest. In Chevrolet India's stable, Essantia will receive the baton from the Sail sedan, which has failed to attract many buyers.