Chevrolet Beat will be yet another important launch by General Motors in India. The launch of Chevrolet Beat is after the recent launch of Cruze. Cruze has been received very well by Indian Customers. The new Chevrolet Beat is expected to be launched on January 4, 2010 at International Auto Expo Delhi. Chevrolet has started giving multiple teaser advertisements on TV like they did with their Cruze. The pictures show us, Beat will be more like Matiz Creative. The only difference being, Beat will have Chevrolet logo instead of Daewoo’s. The GM’s line-up constituting the Daewoo-sourced Matiz/Spark, will be replaced by Chevrolet beat.
The vehicle is a five-door instead of a three-door. The front doors are shortened. The Chevrolet Beat is not certified for the U.S. The reason may be the U.S. customers will not go for a car smaller than the subcompact Chevrolet Aveo. Chevi Beat is also considers as a new version of existing Spark models in India. Currently Spark is the largest selling brand for GM India. The arrival of Beat would accelerate their growth in entry level car segment. The India price, variants and technical specifications of Chevrolet Beat will be announced at Delhi on Jan 4.
The Beat concept was designed and built leveraging General Motor’s Global Product Development process. The concept was created from best practices around the world which integrate design, engineering, powertrain and manufacturing organizations. This is to ensure that each vehicle program meets its quality, timing and business targets.
It was being excogitated that Chevrolet India might be launched as “Beat” in India. Or the “Matiz” brand name might be revived. But now it has been officially announced that the new Chevrolet small car will be named as “Beat”. This is same as the concept’s name. Production for sale of the vehicle will start on December 15, 2009. Chevrolet Beat will be displayed at the 2010 Auto Expo.
Chevrolet Beat is expected to be launched with a 1.2 litre four-cylinder engine. There will be a five speed manual transmission. The production model of Chevrolet Beat bears the spirit of the Beat concept, which offers compact, city-friendly dimensions and a small-displacement engine, which deliver excellent fuel economy as well. The new Chevrolet Beat will add further depth and breadth to Chevrolet’s global line-up. Chevrolet is a brand which is sold in more than 90 countries. The new Chevrolet Beat will give the brand a leadership position in the segment.
Design and Style of Chevrolet Beat 2010:
Chevrolet Beat is a car that is more suitable for people with an urban lifestyle. The styling of a sporty hatchback showcases the new concept of GM design and also a new trend in the design of mini-car segment. Chevrolet Beat’s spacious proportions and vibrant styling are courtesy of its segment-leading. It has a length of 3640mm, height of 1520mm. wheelbase is about 2375mm, and width is 1595mm. The attraction is its “body-in/wheels-out” stance.
Chevrolet Beat’s dramatically sized headlamps are noticed at first sight. It looks like stretching from the front fascia to the back of the hood. The polycarbonate lenses and chrome-coated bezels, looks like diamonds. All these add an unforeseen appearance and glamour. It has a window line which is slanted dynamically upward. The arching roofline and sharp sidelines gives a sporty and edgy look. This is rare in the segment.The secret vertical rear door handles are located in the C-pillar. This is yet another unusual feature. These rare features give Beat a unique, sporty three-door appearance. But five-door utility is not sacrificed.
The integrated rear spoiler of Chevrolet Beat is standard equipment. This is a first-in-segment offering. The spoiler essentially extends the rear roofline, provides enhanced aerodynamic performance and gives a stable stance in high-speed driving. It also provides increased fuel efficiency. Round tail lamps of Chevrolet Beat along with clear polycarbonate lenses adds to the strong rear impression. It has a chrome-coated radiator grille and two fog lamps. The two outside mirrors have a two-tone colour. The refined-looking roof rack along with other design cues extends the Beats’s styling beyond that of a mini car.
Interiors and Comfort Features of Chevrolet Beat:
The flowing interior of Chevrolet Beat threads together the instrument panel, front seats and door trims. This creates an environment which is harmonious, uninterrupted and pleasing to the senses. The instrument panel is matched with the exterior. Door trim will be offered in red, blue or in silver. This will enhance the unified design of the car’s interior and exterior.
The fresh colours and fabrics, exterior colour schemes all continue inside to Chevrolet’s unique ‘dual cockpit’ layout and the door panels. Textured inserts flow from the elegant instrument panel to each side of the cabin into the doors. Thus adding another eye-catching element to the interior. It also has a high level of interior acoustic refinements similar to larger vehicles.
The centre console consists of a built-in single disc player that can play MP3s and radio. It also has a plug-and-play USB (mini-USB) input and an Aux input. The system is easy to use with large, clearly marked controls. The large volume knob adds to the usability. But the sound on most preset equalizer settings is quite unsatisfying. There is no meaning in comparing it to what we hear in larger cars, but just what is there in small car segment.
Since the Beat will necessarily be loved by younger audience, this is an important aspect of the audio section that needs to be improved. Seems like the speakers are the culprit. GM should consider getting good speakers. People will expect better sound quality since are spending more money for the extra bit of style and features.
The interior of the new Chevrolet Beat is functionality dedicated. The most striking and attractive design element is a motorcycle-inspired dynamic meter console. The refined interior provides upgraded functionality. Headrests can be vertically adjusted up to 65 mm. Carbon film-heated seats and various storage places add to interior utility. The pattern-printed semi-bucket seats of Chevrolet Beat provide a stable feeling. The high-quality materials and exceptional craftsmanship also enhance the luxurious interior atmosphere.
Interior space of the Chevrolet Beat will be comfortable for four large adults. The front seats of Chevrolet Beat are enough for large frames and the rear seat legroom is adequate, even though you have someone tall sitting in the front seat. Tall people will be fond of the fact that the seat rails on the front seats allow a fair bit of travel. The tilt-adjust steering in Chevrolet Beat helps you to find a perfect driving position. The addition of a dead-pedal will give a great deal of driver comfort. Chevrolet Beat
is not a car for you to squeeze five large adults. But it is comfortable for four. The boot is enough for the bags you’d need for a weekend.
Engine Options in Chevrolet Beat
The Chevrolet Beat has four cylinders, 16valve, DOHC, 1199cc engine. The engine produces 80bhp @ 6200rpm. Torque is 108Nm @ 4400rpm. This Euro-IV acquiescent engine is mated to a five-speed manual gearbox and powers the front wheels. The Beat will be sold in North America with a turbo engine mated to a four-speed automatic transmission. Thus making it a hot ‘minicar’.
This S-Tec II engine in new Chevrolet Beat 2010 sports chain-driven 16-valve DOHC valve train and variable intake geometry was first seen early last year in the Aveo range in other Asian car markets. For Indian market, the engine has been re-calibrated for a perfect balance between performance and fuel efficiency. ARAI test figures claim 18.6kpl of mileage. But a test drive which involved plenty of acceleration and many spirited highway driving gave 14kpl.
The car can attain a speed of 0-100kph in just 15seconds and a quarter mile time of 22-24 seconds. The company really worked on getting the gearing close to perfect keeping in mind the average Indian driver, who loves to drive the car in the second and the third through traffic.
Ride Quality and Handling of new Chevrolet Beat 2010:
The Beat has control stalks setup for right hand drive. This thing strike you as you settle into the seats. Your headlight controls and indicator stalk is on the right hand side. The left hand one is for wiper control. The three spoke steering wheel is easy to grip. It has contours for ideal ten-to-two hand placement for an ideal and smooth driving position.
The hydraulic power assist steering in Chevrolet Beat rack present you with effortless steering. And makes you feel almost perfectly weighed. The car rides fairly well over bad roads. The front runs on a McPherson strut setup with an anti-roll bar. The rear has a compound crank type setup. The 165mm ground clearance is good enough for most of the road conditions. But you have to be careful when you drop a wheel onto the rutted make-shift shoulders.
The tyres are adequate for the car. But in order to deliver better economy maybe the engineers decided to go for 155/70 R14s across the range other than 175 section rubber. Sticking to one size will also help streamlining inventory and reducing operation costs. At moderate speeds the brakes had quite a bit of feel to them. At high speeds a lot more pedal travel is needed to have the front discs and the rear drums bite as much as you’d like.
Chevrolet Beat price in Indian market:
General Motors has already pulled up its socks in the Indian market. And Chevrolet becomes a young, exciting, trendy and value brand in the minds of the Indian consumers. Service at the dealer level is something that Chevy needs to work on. They’ve done everything they can by offering maintenance packages, buybacks and launching exciting new products.
It is believed that the price of Chevrolet Beat price in India would be 3.75 lakh – 5.25 lakh. But only 5th January 2010 will tell us everything. It is expected that Beat is a well-styled car and has the ability to give other hatchbacks in its segment a run for their money.
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