New Chevrolet Beat
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Highlights
Pros
Cons
- Fuel-efficient
- Chic exterior
- Value for money
- Innovative Rear door handle
- Funky Instrument console
- Climate control first in its class
- Rear Window limits rear visibility
Overview
The Chevrolet Beat debuted as a concept car at the 2007 New York International Auto Show. The root of this compact car can be traced all the away back to the Daewoo Matiz. General Motors reintroduced the Matiz as the Beat in 2007 when this car giant bought the dying Korean car company. The Beat was designed to appeal to young car buyers in urban markets, infusing the energy, diversity and excitement of urban life into a car that would deliver good-looking fun, fuel economy and value.
After the success of the Chevrolet Cruze in India, General Motors has unleashed the Beat to beat the heat of the Maruti Suzuki Ritz, Fiat Grande Punto and Hyundai i10. The commercial production of the five-door Chevrolet Beat started from December 15 2009 in Halol, India. General Motors is bringing this car to India before other markets in the world as this car is very important for the company for make a mark in the small car segment.
The Beat comes in 3 variants: PS, LS and LT.
Powertrain & Performance
All the 3 variants of the Chevrolet Beat comes with a 1.2-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine which is mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox. This gearbox provides crisp shifting of gears. The top three gears are quite short which makes highway overtaking easy and even with a full load the Beat doesn't feel sluggish. The short fifth gear makes the drive wonderfully refined.
The 1.2-litre engine is incredibly refined as low revs and has a perky throttle response, which is useful in stop-and-go-traffic. The engine can give a power output of 79 bhp at 6200 rpm and a torque of 108 Nm at 4400 rpm. The Beat is eco-friendly as it has an average fuel economy of 18.6 km/l. The S-TEC II engine employs PDA (Port De-Activation) system which "ensures high exhaust gas recirculation, resulting in combustion stability at low speeds and optimal performance at high speeds together with improved fuel efficiency." The PDA system also reduces carbon emissions.
Build & Styling
The build of the Chevrolet Beat sets it apart from any other car in its segment. Adopting the body-frame integral (BFI) system, the upper body structure and frame are engineered as a single unit, resulting in better feel of the road along with a heightened sense of firmness and stability. A McPherson strut front suspension of Chevrolet Beat combined with a four-point mounted long engine cradle and a width power reduction spring enhances the solidity of the entire chassis, for improved crash safety and driving performance. A rear compound crank torsion beam incorporates a tubular V-beam for more effective tuning and dynamic performance.
The Chevrolet Beat is targeted at the young urban crowd. This sporty hatchback showcases the new direction of General Motors' design and a new trend in the design of small compact cars. The dramatically sized headlamps that literally stretch from the front fascia to the back of the hood, with clear polycarbonate lenses and chrome-coated bezels of the Beat resemble diamonds and adds an upscale appearance and glamour. A window line that is slanted dynamically upward, an arching roofline and sharp sidelines bring a sporty yet edgy look, a rarity in the segment. Secret vertical rear door handles located in the C-pillar are another unusual feature that peps up the exterior giving it a three-door coupe look. A first-in-segment offering of an integrated rear spoiler in Chevrolet Beat that extends the rear roofline, for enhanced aerodynamic performance and provides a stable stance in high-speed driving as well as increased fuel efficiency. Round tail lamps of Chevrolet Beat with clear polycarbonate lenses add to the Beat's rear fascia. A chrome-coated radiator grille and fog lamps, outside mirrors with two-tone color, and a refined-looking roof rack are other design cues that transport the Beat's styling beyond that of a compact car.
The interior of Chevrolet Beat has a sharp-edged design and the neat centre console show that plenty of thoughts has gone into it. An exterior-color-matched instrument panel and door trim are offered either in red, blue or silver which enhances the unified design of the interior and exterior. The cabin looks good and feels solid. The pattern-printed semi-bucket seats are cozy. With high-quality materials and exceptional craftsmanship, they also enhance the luxurious interior atmosphere. The instrument cluster with ice blue lighting looks cool.
Safety features like dual-frontal airbags, ABS and Front and Rear Crumple Zone. The beat has got 4-Star NCAP Safety Rating and the Safety Cage is reinforced with welded tubular section members that frame door openings and support the roof and steel members in the door.
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