General Motors India is finally launched the large MUV segment. From the outside, the Tavera looks pleasant from most angles because of its contemporary styling and lines that flow well from the front to rear. Two easy creases on the hood coupled with sleek wrap around headlamps and neatly designed front grill give the Tavera a soft, look. The rear however is more on the lines of vehicles that belong to this product category.

 

The Tavera has a weight that varies from 1585kg to 1660kg depending on the trim level under consideration. The top of the line Tavera comes in a two-tone paint job that gives it a plush look.  Tavera will run on 15-inch steel wheels compared to the 14-inch ones for the Qualis and will be shod by 205/65 section tyres.The Tavera in India is powered by a 2.5-litre, direct injection, turbo diesel engine, capable of delivering a maximum 80PS of power at 3900rpm. Even more impressive are the torque characteristics of the engine as it develops a maximum torque of 186Nm at a very low 1800rpm lending it good drivability. It has a ground clearance and a wheelbase of 184mm and 2685mm respectively and turning radius of 5.62 meters. Fual efficiency is 14.3 kmpl Overall, 20.1 kmpl Highway Driving.

 

The 80PS engine is made to a five-speed manual gearbox which drives the rear wheels. The construction of the Tavera is body on ladder frame type with a specially stiffened frame which is sprung on double wishbones with independent torsion bar springs and an anti-roll bar on the front, while the rear incorporates of the semi-elliptical leaf springs. The suspension layout is actually quite similar to that on the Qualis.

 

 

The Tavera has a soothing interior trim from inside, good seating space for both front and middle row passengers and a commanding driver’s view with well laid out steering-seating arrangement. The leg room is more than any vehicle of its category; the third row of front facing seats is quite close to the floor thereby not offering adequate thigh support as the knees are raised. The instrument cluster is very basic comprising of the odometer, and fuel and temperature gauges, and it is only the top of the line variant that also gets a tachometer. High end variants of the Tavera will come with a split air condition with dual evaporator coils, one for the front and the other for the second/third row of seats. The air conditioning vents for the two rear row of seats are uniquely placed on the roof and throw air on both the rows. Seating arrangement also varies with a bench seat accommodating three in the front and/or a bench seat at the rear accommodating three or facing front or two bench seats facing side-ways instead of the third row and accommodating four persons, two on each bench.

 

 

 

The starting of the engine reveals a pleasant surprise with noise levels inside the cabin, especially with a DI, being awfully low as well. The gear shift is nice and smooth but there is a slight problem with the 2nd and 3rd gears being slightly far apart, and inducing rather frequent shifts when going up inclines.

 

The suspension has been set up taking into consideration Indian road conditions. The visibility from the front is great and the Tavera is as easy to drive as any car, and in fact drives better than many cars. The steering which feels fine at normal speeds does become slightly vague at higher speeds, but should not be a cause for any great concern.

 

This utility car has Robust 2.5 L Diesel Engine, Flexible seating option (7/10) Best-in-class mileage, Rear Door Child Lock, Spare Wheel under Floor, Remote Fuel Lid Opener, and Full Fabric Floor Carpet Tilt Quarter window, Day Night Inside Rear View Mirror.

Filed under: Chevrolet Cars in India