Chevrolet Trax launch on 25 Feb in South Korea

Chevrolet Trax launch date

The new compact SUV from American car giant General Motors (GM), Chevrolet Trax is making waves these days as it gets prepared for the unveiling at Paris Motor Show in September this year. The Chevrolet Trax launch in India is expected by early 2013, where it will lock horns with potent challengers in the form of Ford EcoSport and Renault Duster.

Chevrolet Trax price

The success of inaugural mini-SUV, Chevrolet Trax, will heavily depend upon the appropriate pricing from the company. However, the Chevrolet Trax price is expected to fall in price bracket of INR 8-10 Lakh. The price war in this budding segment will be interesting to watch as Renault Duster is already in with starting price of INR 7.19 Lakh besides Ford EcoSport expected to hit anything between INR 8-10 Lakh for base model with its innovative EcoBoost engines.

Chevrolet Trax Review by Expert

Renault Duster, Maruti Ertiga, Premier Rio are here while a long list that includes Ford B Max, Mahindra Quanto, Hyundai Hexa Space, Maruti Alpha awaits its turn. Add another name ‘Chevrolet Trax’. Yes, this product, a compact crossover, is from the renowned stable of General Motors (GM).  What all is happening here? In the recent times compact segment in the country i.e. MPV or SUV, is all heated up and every car maker desires to get a bigger chuck of this lucrative segment. The Chevrolet Trax is not that all new, but a marvellous and modern work of rebadging. It’s a perfect mix up of North American Buick Encore and Opel Mokka of Europe. The production model of Chevy Trax compact SUV will have its global premiere at the Paris Motor Show in September 2012. After its unveiling new Chevrolet vehicle will go on for sale in nearly 140 countries that includes India and other prospering markets worldwide. According to recent speculation, the Chevrolet Trax launch in India is projected by amid or early next year.

Lately, ahead of its Paris Show, some images were leaked online and these suggest that this Trax is pretty different from its prototype that was showcased at the 2007 New York Auto Show. The compact crossover has got more of sportiness incorporated alongside an imposing stance with its pronounced wheel arches at the front and rear. The front grille of Chevrolet Trax observes new design language of the company, which is inclined towards grandeur and is seen in all the latest Chevy vehicles. The boxier window line is well complemented by a magnificent roof line that has satin roof rails. The rear with classy looking tail gate and tail lamps appears splendid.

Inside the cabin you will find spaciousness more than expected out of this chic and compact shaped Chevrolet Trax. The European model is a 5 seater, but when it comes to India, there are chances of adding-up of 2 more seats that will make it a perfect 7-seater. As per the images revealed, the seats and seating position seems great, while there is impressive dash and central console with loads of advanced gadgetry besides the usual ones. The leather wrapped steering has mounted controls of audio, Bluetooth and phone. Many handy features and convenient storage spaces make life of the occupants unproblematic. The safety and security features will be truly up to date with ABS with EBD, air bags, active head restraints, speed sensing auto locking of doors, automatic headlamps, rear parking sensors etc.

Furthermore, globally Chevrolet Trax is expected to be rolled out with three engine specifications, two petrol turbocharged engines, i.e. 1.6L and 1.L, whilst a 1.7L diesel turbo. Out of these three, any of the two are speculated to come with 6-speed AT, whereas the left out will boast 6-speed manual gearbox. For Indian market, 1.4L petrol powertrain and locally developed 1.3L Multi-jet diesel will be seen under hood that will ensure decent mileage and satisfactory performance. With this tweak, the Chevrolet Trax price will come well under INR 9-10 Lakh.

Chevrolet Trax Mileage and Fuel Efficiency

As per company sources, Chevrolet Trax is an all-round, fuel-efficient compact SUV, offering car-like handling and all-wheel drive on demand. The SUV will be showcased at Paris Motor Show and it is being said that the SUV will come in three engine options. The line-up includes a 1.4-litre turbocharged engine producing 115PS power, a 1.6-litre petrol unit churning out 140PS power and a 1.7-litre 130PS turbo diesel motor. Whilst the 1.4 and 1.7 engines will be coupled with 6-speed manual transmission, the 1.6 litre Chevrolet Trax petrol engine will be satisfied with only a five-speed manual gearbox. 1.4 L and 1.7 L engines will come with optional 6-speed automatic transmission and All Wheel Drive. Manual transmission variants will also feature stop/start function which does not allow engine to sip in more fuel. Officially, there is no information about Chevrolet Trax mileage, however, you can keep check this space for latest updates on Chevrolet Trax.

 

Chevrolet Trax Models and Features

Variants	Features
Chevrolet Trax 1.4 MT	Chevrolet Trax 1.4 MT comes with 1.4 litre turbocharged gasoline engine coupled to 6 speed manual transmission. Chevrolet Trax features power of 115 Ps.
Chevrolet Trax 1.6 MT	Chevrolet Trax 1.6 MT comes with 1.6 litre petrol engine producing 140 Ps power and mated to a 5 speed manual transmission.
Chevrolet Trax 1.7 MT	Chevrolet Trax 1.7 MT comes with a 1.7 litre diesel engine producing 130 Ps of power. The engine is mated to a 6 speed manual transmission.
Chevrolet Trax 1.4 AT	Chevrolet Trax 1.4 MT comes with 1.4 litre engine coupled to 6-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive.
Chevrolet Trax 1.7 AT	Chevrolet Trax 1.7 MT comes with a 1.7 litre diesel engine mated to a 6 speed automatic transmission and AWD.

 

 

Chevrolet Trax Engine, Power and Performance

Those who are die-hard ‘Transformers’ fans, must know Trax well. Chevrolet Trax is going to launch in about 140 countries. The models destined for European market will come with a choice of three engines - 1.6-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine churning out 140PS max power and coupled to 5 speed manual transmission, a 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine linked to a 6-speed manual transmission and producing 115 Ps of power and 200 Nm of torque, and a 1.7-liter turbocharged diesel engine delivering 130PS of max power and 300 Nm max torque and coupled to a 6 speed manual transmission. The last two engines will also be offered with a six-speed automatic transmission and the option of all-wheel drive.

 

All Chevrolet Trax engines with manual transmission will come fitted with Start/Stop functionality as standard equipment. The engines, as said by company officials, will be fuel efficient. Chevrolet in investing a hefty amount on the production of Chevrolet Trax and the result will surely be better and greener engines. In India, however, all or any of these engines can be tweaked when GM launches the crossover somewhere in 2013 to take on the likes of the Ford EcoSport which will be launched in India later in 2012.

Pick Up and Acceleration

 

Chevrolet Trax is said to be built on the same platform as Chevy’s Aveo and Sonic (not in India). This GM Gamma II platform is also shared with the Opel Mokka and Buick Encore. According to initial information, the European engine line-up will include a 1.4 L turbocharged petrol motor coupled to six-speed manual transmission , a 1.6 L petrol powertrain coupled to 6 speed manual transmission and a  1.7l turbo-diesel engine mated to a 6 speed manual transmission. The AWD system and 6 speed automatic transmission optional with variants that come with the 1.4L turbo petrol and 1.7L diesel engine. There is no official wording about Chevrolet Trax pick-up and acceleration as of yet however, all powertrains with manual transmission will come with Start/Stop functionality as standard.

 

Chevrolet Trax Interiors and Features

This five seater compact SUV, Chevrolet Trax will have upmarket interiors. The SUV is based on Open Mokka and will share some features with the car. Main elements of Chevrolet Trax interiors will be fresh dashboard and centre console. The central console will be flanked by storage spaces. A storage space is also offered above the console and under pass seat tray. These bins are necessary when you are on an excursion. Moreover, Chevy’s Trax will sport a secondary stowage area under the luggage compartment, measuring 358 litres. The small crossover features a 60:40 split rear seat. If you think that is a common feature, Trax boasts of a front passenger seat which can be folded flat, making a total of eight seating combinations. The premium-ness will go a notch higher with Chevrolet’s MyLink infotainment system in high-end trims and a navigation app that can be downloaded onto compatible smartphones as standard. Needless to say, Chevrolet Trax interior comfort level would be high like all other Chevrolet cars in India.

 

Chevrolet Trax Exterior and Features

Back in 2007, Chevrolet showcased a concept called Trax at the New York Auto Show. The name is back in news and this time the production version of Trax is totally unlike the concept. Basically, Chevrolet Trax is a compact SUV that is a badge-engineered version of the Opel Mokka SUV, sold in many countries. Trax that will go on sale in Europe later this year, and will most likely be launched in India in 2013. With Chevrolet Trax, a new generation of pickups would begin in 2013. This small SUV sports uniquely designed front and rear ends, prominent front and rear wheel arches as well as a boxier rear window line.

 

Not intricately, but the company has provided the details of Chevrolet Trax exterior measurement. The length will be 4,248 mm, width will be 1,776 mm and the wheelbase would be 2,555 mm. The crossover will compete with Ford Ecosport in India and hence the exteriors are squeezed. From Chevrolet Trax pictures released, one gets the feel of a hatchback with Trax. However, roof rails, roof antenna at rear, prominent creases on the bonnet and beltline, skid plates, rear spoiler, black mouldings outlining the entire vehicle’s base and alloy wheels render a true SUV look to Chevrolet Trax. The roofline slopes backwards like Mahindra XUV500. The rear wheel arch is so extended that it carries the stylish tails lights in them only. High-mount stop lamp and rear wiper comes as standard. The tinted rear windshield is small and rear defogger is quite visible.

 

Driving and Handling of Chevrolet Trax

Chevrolet Trax driving and handling is expected to be supple. Although, 3 engines are proposed for the European-spec model of Trax, it might be possible that none of the models make way to India. There are slight speculations that Indian model will run on a 1.3 litre engine, although nothing is confirmed yet. The company heads have made an official statement that “It is a modern, highly versatile yet fuel-efficient small SUV, offering car-like handling and all-wheel drive.” Alloy wheels will have a good control on road and disc brakes can make the matters interesting.

 

Safety Features in Chevrolet Trax

Sports Utility Vehicles are expected to be loaded with safety features as these vehicles frequent a lot on highways and hilly trips where chances of accidents are more. As per initial information, Chevrolet Trax safety feature kit will include six airbags, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake Distribution, Electronic Stability Control (ESC) including Hill Start Assist (HSA), Traction Control (TC). These features are on Opel’s Mokka and therefore car pundits are expecting them to be on its re-badged version too. Trailer Stability Assist (TSA) and Hill Descent Control (HDC) can also be included for a comprehensive safety in Chevrolet Trax SUV.

 

Chevrolet Trax Accessories

The details about Chevrolet Trax accessories are not out in market yet. On the entertainment front, though, the upper trims will be equipped with Chevrolet MyLink. The infotainment system gathers content from smartphones on a seven-inch, full colour touch-screen, high resolution display. MyLink will soon feature a navigation app too which can be downloaded onto compatible smartphones. It will showcase the route calculated by the smartphone onto the MyLink’s touch-screen.

 

Chevrolet Trax Conclusion

The new Trax will make its global premiere at September 2012’s Paris Motor Show before its sales begins in markets around 140 countries of the world in 2012 and 2013. Trax will fill out Chevrolet’s range of SUVs in India along with Captiva, which is a premium product. Chevrolet Trax will meet head-on with the likes of Ford EcoSport.