SCOOP! Chevrolet working on compact Enjoy

GM India is believed to be developing a sub-four-metre version of its recently launched MPV, the Enjoy. The shorter version of the Enjoy will be priced even cheaper as it will get the benefit of a lower rate of excise duty that is offered to cars less than four metres long and a petrol/diesel engine less than 1200cc/1500cc respectively.  

 

For the Enjoy to pass these criteria, we expect GM India to swap the current 1.4-litre 102bhp petrol motor for the 1.2-litre 85bhp unit that does duty in the Sail. The reduction in cubic capacity and power will, to some extent, be compensated by a reduction in weight – the sub-four-metre Enjoy could weigh as much as 150kg less than the 7-seater version, which will help performance and fuel efficiency. 

 

The current Enjoy is 4305mm long and hence engineers will have to condense the MPV by more than a good 305mm. Hence, the smaller sibling may have to do away with the final row of seats, thus making it a five seater. More importantly, the excise benefits will make the shortened Enjoy around Rs 40,000 cheaper, which is a significant amount in the segment. A reduction of nearly half a lakh rupees on its price tag will pit the smaller sibling right in the meat of the hatchback segment. GM India has been struggling in the sluggish Indian market, but with the utility vehicle segment enjoying a phenomenal growth, these MPV siblings could provide the change of fortunes for the Chevrolet brand in the coming years.