Shanghai GM launches Chevrolet Sail 3; start-stop standard across all 5 variants

19 December 2014

Shanghai GM launched the Chevrolet Sail 3 in Chengdu; the third-generation Sail had been unveiled last month at the Guangzhou Motor Show. Five variants of the new family car with a choice of new 1.3L and 1.5L engines are available.
The Sail 3, built on Shanghai GM’s new-generation small car architecture, is the first model in its class that comes standard with a start-stop system, which reduces fuel consumption by 3-5% in heavy traffic.

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Another segment-exclusive feature is the EPS system, which reduces overall fuel consumption by an additional 3% while ensuring stable cornering at high speeds and flexible steering at low speeds.

The Sail 3 presents a new powertrain lineup that boosts power by 10-20% compared to the earlier model. It features a choice of 1.3L VVT or 1.5L DVVT engines, and a five-speed manual transmission.

• The 1.3L VVT engine offers maximum power of 76 kW (102 hp) and peak torque of 127 N·m (94 lb-ft). The engine achieves best-in-class fuel economy of 5.3 liters per 100 km (44.3 mpg US).

• The 1.5L DVVT engine generates maximum power of 83 kW (111 hp) and peak torque of 141 N·m (104 lb-ft). It consumes up to 8% less fuel than its predecessor, and offers fuel economy of 5.4 liters per 100 km (43.5 mpg US).

The Sail 3 has the most spacious interior in its class. It is 51 mm longer and 45 mm wider than its predecessor, while its wheelbase has been extended 35 mm. The result is 6 mm more shoulder room in front, 8% more headroom and 25% more knee room.

Shanghai GM and Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center (PATAC) engineers developed the Sail 3. Utilizing GM’s global standards and processes, the two GM joint ventures earned 59 patents for technologies in the model’s chassis, powertrain, exterior, interior, electronics and assembly.

Safety cage construction protects occupants in the event of a collision. Up to 5.7% of the vehicle’s body consists of PHS hot-rolled steel, which has a tensile strength of at least 1,300 MPa. The Sail 3 also comes standard with anti-lock brakes (ABS), electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD) and cornering brake control (CBC). Selected variants are equipped with four air bags.

Shanghai GM’s first use of a flexible tooling transmission system in small car manufacturing enhances the Sail 3’s production efficiency and overall craftsmanship. In addition, each Sail 3 is put through 107 high-standard painting processes and five anti-corrosion processes for exterior coating, and receives nine layers of anti-corrosion coating.

The Sail 3 complies with G0 global vehicle durability test standards for emerging markets. About 48,000 km of architecture tests, 350,000 km of powertrain tests, 640,000 km of exhaust tests and 2.8 million km of simulated road tests were carried out. Sail 3 buyers receive a three-year/100,000-km warranty.

The Sail 3 is priced from RMB 59,900 (US$9,600) for the 1.3 LS MT to RMB 73,900 (US$11,900) for the 1.5 LTS MT. All variants are entitled to an energy-saving subsidy of RMB 3,000 (US$483) as a result of the sedan being listed in the National Energy-Saving and Eco-Friendly Vehicle Catalogue.