General Motors Announces Chevrolet Essentia and Chevrolet Beat Activ for India at the 2016 Auto Expo. The Chevrolet Essentia is a sedan, while the Beat Activ is a soft roader. More details and images of the new products are provided below
Chevrolet Essentia
The Chevrolet Essentia previews a new production car from Chebrolet that recognizes the need for a traditional but richly appointed notchback. Chevrolet wants to position it as an aspirational product that is rich terms of luxury of space. Functionality is at its core to ensure there is room to comfortably fit five adults and plenty of luggage without any compromise to style. It reflects the growing maturity and the sophistication of Indian consumers.
Chevrolet Beat Activ
Chevrolet Beat Activ concept is positioned as a fun and youthful product which is meant to stand out from the crowd. The Beat Activ is a soft-roader concept, meant to take on the unbeaten trail every once a while. With expressive design language and significant attention to detail, this youthful car is Chevrolet’s response to India’s maturing market and aspirational lifestyle. With a tough and aggressive stance, adventure is at its core, while its interior ensures the driver remains comfortable and connected.
The lead designer of these two show cars is Indian-born Lead Creative Designer Harish Kumar, who worked on this key project in India before following the cars to Korea. He is just one of several Indian designers currently located at the GM Design Studio in Detroit and is proof that Indian designers are influencing global products.
The face given to the Essentia and Beat Activ comes from the new Chevrolet design language. All future Chevrolet products for India will have this recognizable and distinct Chevrolet DNA, which ensures the vehicles will stand out on busy roads. These concepts represent the evolution of Chevrolet – distinct, modern and progressive.
According to the official Chevrolet statement “Both of these products blend practicality with style while offering greater safety and connectivity with state-of-the-art features that are designed to fit seamlessly in customers’ busy lives. They offer Chevrolet MyLink2 – a class-leading infotainment system that includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto – which gives users complete control within the car. Key active and passive safety features include dual air bags, ABS and a rear camera, for complete peace of mind.
The details about the engines and transmission for the two products have not been revealed yet, and will be released closer to market launch.
Designed in direct response to consumer demand for passenger cars that offer a combination of value, space and technology, the Essentia has functionality and style at its core. It strikes the perfect balance between personality and practicality, content and luxury.
The Beat Activ is a concept that explores the desire among more youthful consumers for a fun, spirited car that reflects their personality while meeting all of the challenges of the sometimes tough Indian environment.
Both cars boast Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Chevrolet’s latest MyLink infotainment system.They are designed to support an active lifestyle.
With the introduction of its new products, GM India is committed to increasing the localization of its vehicles built in India to over 85 percent within five years while increasing exports from 21,000 units in 2015 to 50,000 units this year. Its manufacturing facility in Talegaon will be capable of producing best-in-class products for India and the world.
Kaher Kazem, President and Managing Director, GM India: “The Essentia and Beat Activ were created in direct response to the growing Indian market and signal Chevrolet’s commitment to the maturing Indian A-segment market. Both evolutions of the proven Beat platform, these two important vehicles give us the opportunity to speak to a wider audience. They clearly demonstrate we are listening to our customers and are being led by their need for small cars with more content and more choice. We are confident it is cars like these that will increase our presence on Indian roads.”
Michael Simcoe, Vice President – Design, GM International: “The Essentia and Beat Activ perfectly represent the evolution of the Chevrolet brand – they are distinctive, aspirational, modern and progressive. One platform but two distinct cars with two distinct personalities. The Essentia is refined and sophisticated, while the Beat Activ is young, more aggressive and spirited. These vehicles demonstrate how we design global cars, ensuring they are tailored to meet local tastes.”
“The two show cars are further proof that GM is committed to revitalizing the Chevrolet brand in India by strengthening the customer experience, and enhancing the dealer and service network,” said Kazem.
Jacoby concluded, “Our transformation in India not only supports multiple product launches but also strengthens our manufacturing operations and network to meet the needs of Indian consumers and make GM a strong player in this important market.”
Check out the image gallery of the two products below
