Delhi show: Chevrolet teases Holden-crafted Adra

A BABY SUV concept developed collaboratively by Australia’s Holden and General Motors of India has been teased ahead of its New Delhi motor show debut this week.

A couple of shadowy images of the vehicle – dubbed Chevrolet Adra – were released overnight in the sub continent, showing a Chevrolet Spark-type grille and a stubby overall length that Indian reports suggest is under four metres to comply with local tax breaks.

The car reportedly is built on GM’s Gamma II small-car platform that sits under global vehicles such as the Barina (Aveo), Barina Spark, Trax and Mokka.

Although GM is yet to announce if the concept will make it into production, such a vehicle could give Chevrolet a competitor for Ford’s EcoSport and Renault’s Duster.

GM of India says the car was inspired by Indian designers at the GM technical centre in India, but GoAuto understands that the job – the first undertaken by GM’s Indian branch – was done under the watchful eye of mentors at Holden.

The final design work, including tricky technical designs and clay modeling, were done at Holden’s Melbourne studios.

The show car was also built by Holden Design, which is one of only two GM centres in the Asian region capable of taking a vehicle from initial design to completion.

Autocar India says the car will likely be powered by the same 1.3-litre diesel engine as the Chevrolet Sail and Enjoy sold in India.

It is unlikely to be aimed for export to Australia where the Holden Trax is the smallest SUV currently on sale in Holden showrooms.

Full details of the concept are expected later today, and GoAuto will carry a fully coverage with official images.

As GoAuto exclusively reported last week, the Adra is one of at least two concept cars crafted at Holden recently, with another expected to pop up at the New York motor show in April.

Mystery surrounds the second concept, with GM keeping is cards close to its chest ahead of the next biggest motor show on the American calendar.