Chevrolet Essentia

Introduction:

Chevrolet is getting the entire market in a tingle with reports of an upcoming hatchback on its platter, generously titled, the 'Essentia'. Details of the vehicle aren't released yet, but we've managed to dig through many reliable sources to bring you information about the vehicle as close as it gets to the reality. The model is supposedly going to launch in the coming year of 2017, and that gives us all plenty of time to lay back and begin jotting down all we can about the vehicle and its details.

Pros:

1. Eye catching exteriors, we're sure it'll appeal to a larger crowd of audiences.

2. It is to come in both petrol and diesel variants, and we're sure this would score a good point.

Cons:

1. From what we've heard, it doesn't exhibit real muscle with its performance and specs.

2. Some could feel that its price range goes over the bracket, being from an expensive US brand.

Stand-out Features:

1. Word is out about an advanced My-Link Infotainment system it's set to come with, and isn't that just the type of thing we all love?

Overall:

Unveiled at the Auto Show 2016, this vehicle has got a lot of people talking. At this point, with a whole year left for its launch, much of the vehicle remains blanketed in mystery. However, we do hear that it's to come with a 1.0-litre diesel engine, together with a 1.2-litre petrol engine. Aside from this, the cabin would also ordain a fine experience with many sound comfort and entertainment facilities, at the top of which is a 7-inch Infotainment system and many others. We're sure that many core features that are in widespread use in the day, including adjustable seats, warning signals, USB and Aux-In, and a sound speaker arrangement together fortify the overall drive, ensuring that nothing is left amiss for you as you take a drive in this lean new machine.

Exteriors:

While it's not confirmed exactly what the cosmetic coating of the vehicle will be, we spotted a pretty delightful overall profile in pictures of the car circulated online. It comes with a streamlined and slender shape that most people would find greatly attractive, and we personally thought it added a sporty dimension to it.

There were some noticeable silver highlights about the body-side, such as the grille area, the door handles and the rear. Its face has a long, robust position, and you're sure to detect a distinguished mark here. The front grille is slimmer than most people would imagine, and we thought it merged into the overall set-up of the front perfectly. The Chevrolet emblem is branded at the centre of the grille, while on either side, headlamps swipe out towards the body-side.

In some of the images found online, there are touches of silver by the grille, and this does make for a more esteemed character of the vehicle. The massive air dam at the bottom was a rather sensational element of the front figure in our opinion, and on either side, the fog lamps are blanketed by a large black surrounds that further enhances the overall appearance.

The bonnet flows upwards towards the windscreen, with gentle curvatures that vitalise the design. The metallic skin of the front streams over the wheel archs in an aesthetic fashion, giving the fenders a more prominent demeanour. When you take a look of the vehicle's side, you're sure to be taken by the serene lines that run over the door-side, a great design feature.

The rear portion of the vehicle is more well toned, and we thought this perfected the vehicle's balanced structure. The tail-lamps at the rear invoke a more artistic image, and the muscle at the rear adds more energy to the picture.

Interiors:

We can't exert too much precision with this section as most of the details of the vehicle are still kept under wraps. But from images we've scrolled through, we drew the impression of a well done-up cabin that resembles many of the modern interior structures of the day. Sources indicate that there would be a dual tone brown and white combination, and we thought this was both genuine and awe-inciting.

The centre region of the dashboard has been cloaked in brown, with the lower area that slides down into the leg area is grey. The leg-space at the front is supposedly generous, and we would be sure that taller, broader and huskier people could have a comfortable experience within. At the centre of the dashboard is a large My-Link Infotainment screen that has been wrapped in the white colour that flows down from the lower region of the dash.

We also hear that car would be equipped with some pretty sound entertainment and connectivity functions including Bluetooth, Android App and a CarPlay system. By the right hand corner, the steering wheel absorbs the conventional, modern design that most vehicles of the day exhibit. The well noticeable, sporty touch comes along with some handy functions, and mounted controls, and we felt that this would make for a more wholesome experience.

Directly ahead of the wheel, the instrument cluster comes along with tachometer and the speedomer, and the lighting design is said to be peppy too.

Aside from this, there is news of the seating arrangement being enhanced by many facilities like headrests, armrests, adjustable function, reclineable function and others. We're sure that the company would do the honours of adding a rich upholstery coating for the seats, and most people of this day look out closely for such small elements in a ride.

Performance:

According to reliable online news outlets, the vehicle will come with both petrol and diesel variants. At the diesel end, we're expecting a 1.0-litre engine that comes with 3 cylinders incorporated together. It is supposed to pull out a power of 56bhp and a torque of 142Nm. We'll agree with you if you think the figures could be better, no doubt. Meanwhile, the petrol variant is going to be a 1.2-litre engine that whips out 77bhp of power and 106Nm of torque. We hear that the machine would come with a 5-speed manual transmission, as well as an optional automatic version. We'd put a word out there for you that this is certainly not the performance class of machines, and as a result, if you're looking for a sharp, sporty boost from this machine, you're certainly not going to get it.

Ride and Handling:

Strong discs would be rigged onto all the wheels, and we're sure that the braking would be reasonably smooth and friendly. Apart from this, the vehicle is also sure to come with some pretty gritty drive aids such as ABS, EBD, electronic stabilisation control and more, although we can't confirm this right now. Electronic power steering would also be programmed into the system, and most people would find that this greatly strengthens the drive quality and handling overall. The chassis is sure to come with a standard McPherson strut at the front, something you find almost every hatchback vehicle. You'd also be safe to expect a a torsion beam at the rear, and this helps to complete the formation of the car's chassis. Like most machines of the day, we're sure that the overall ride quality would be neither too harsh nor too plush. Higher speeds might relieve you of most of the strains, and the more punishing roads would toss passengers around a bit. However, we can rest assured that the company has absorbed a sound understanding of Indian road conditions and is, therefore, imparting the most endurable design character to the suspension.

Safety:

It's certain that the car would come along with standard safety elements such as airbags, seatbelts, a more potent body structure, strong headlamps and head restraints. We would also put a few tender guesses out there, and say that you could expect the ABS/EBD systems, a central locking system, driver's side seatbelt warning, fuel indicator and many more of the mainstream features that you find in cars everyday. 

Variant:

We're sure that the vehicle would come with at least four variants, with the luxury and class consolidated at the higher end trims. The price range would also resemble that of all models of the day, with a diluted price for the lower trims and a progressively more costly one for the higher ranges.

Verdict:

This vehicle has made quite a buzz in the media, and like most people, we're keeping our fingers crossed that it creatures just the response upon its release. For now, the Essentia looks pretty promising, and we're not exaggerating there. The strong and majestic tone of its appearance is sure to get most people's eyes wide, while its atmospheric interiors would allure many more. We know for one that there'd be no shortage in terms of comfort and entertainment, and many things on the inside are sure to get audiences excited. In the end of the day, we're going to have to await the launch of this bristling vehicle to see whether or not it capitalises upon the attention it generated, or whether it lets it trickle out like water cupped in a person's hands.

Chevrolet Essentia price