While in the United States the GM sedan is an
endangered species, a new Chevy sedan has been officially unveiled in China. We’re referring to the all-new
Onix compact sedan, which has just been revealed in the People’s Republic.
The Onix is the first of many new Chevrolet and
Buick B- and C-segment vehicles to use the GEM platform. It is also a big deal
for GM because it marks the nameplate’s transition from being a South
American-only model to one that will be sold in some 40 countries worldwide —
excluding the United States and Canada. Another first is the fact that
the Onix is offered as a four-door sedan; up until now, the nameplate was only
used on a five-door hatchback in South America, with its four-door variant
being called the Prisma.
The Onix Sedan is significantly larger than the
Prisma, adding 190 mm in length. That makes it almost as big as a
C-segment model and places it between the Sail and Cavalier in Chevy’s Chinese
lineup. The model debuted in Redline trim, becoming the sixth local Chevrolet
product to include that grade after the Equinox, Cruze, Orlando, Malibu XL, and
Monza.
Adopting the brand’s latest design language, the
Onix features a dual-grille design, new headlamps and new LED DRLs/fog lamps at
the front. In Redline trim, it comes with standard black 16-inch alloys, black
badging, and red accents on the grille, mirror caps and wheels.
No powertrain details were offered, but according to
GM Authority, the Onix sedan will offer two new three-cylinder gasoline engines
in China: an entry-level naturally aspirated 1.3-liter with 102 hp and
a turbocharged 1.0-liter rated at 114 hp. Alongside the Onix, Chevrolet has
also announced pricing for the new Monza sedan, which is offered in five grades
ranging from RMB 89,900 to RMB 119,900 (US$ 13,400-US$ 17,850).
