Archive for the ‘New Chevrolet Spark’ Category

Chevrolet Beat – How it is to drive

Chevrolet Beat RedThe Chevrolet Beat has a good ride. The gearbox could have been better

Engine

The Beat comes with 1.2 litre S-Tec II engine, it develops 79bhp at 6200rpm and max torque of 108 NM comes at a high 4400rpm. What’s the deal with this as every manufacture offers a 1.2 litre engine to save money through excise cuts.

Start the engine and you ask yourself whether its running or not; the engine is as silent as a ghost at night but the silence ends the moment you start revving the engine. It gets pretty coarse the more revs you gain the more louder and harsher it gets.

It is not as rev friendly as the motors offered in Japanese duo of Ritz and Swift but it can be a fair match to the Kappa if not slightly better. The engine has a good low end grunt, which eases your day to day need in bumper to bumper traffic but once past the early perk it lacks the mid-range punch and delivers a feeble final punch at higher revs. It doesn’t possess the sound to provide you with an adrenaline rush and neither does it beg to be revved until the red line.

To summarize, this engine feels at home at exactly where it should be doing duties 90 percent of the time in the hands of its international customers – that’s in city runabouts. It is designed for start-stop traffic.

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Entry posted on March 17th, 2010 and filed under New Chevrolet Spark

Chevrolet Beat – Design and Styling

The Chevrolet Beat’s face is inspired from a Cheetah’s. Not sure if the designer was viewing Wild Discovery while drafting this car, but the entire design from bumper to bumper is packed with cuts, curves and bends. The design is inspired from a moving cheetah, I’d say. A cheetah moving in for the kill.

Though the Cheetah face isn’t very evident, what is is its close resemblance to the concept car. GM’s design team did not go beyond the first draft while freezing the production model’s design. They stuck to the pull back headlamps, rising window line and muscular wheel arches.

For once I can say loudly that not all car manufacturers bring imaginary cars to auto shows. The real world now has a foreigner arriving from that location.

How does it stand apart in the most crowded segment in the country, where almost 70% of cars sold are hatchbacks?

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Entry posted on March 14th, 2010 and filed under Car Reviews, New Chevrolet Spark

IAB Garage – Chevrolet Beat 1.2 LT

The Chevrolet Beat LT is in our garage this week

Launches, media drives and interviews, lately these were very frequent on IAB. We are back now to full test drive reports of the latest offerings from auto manufacturers in the country. In the next few days, we will be performing an extensive drive of the small offering from big American automaker which has to turn voluminous to veer towards the top three in the country. Yes we will be testing the top-end Chevrolet Beat to give u a full detailed review.

Before starting up with the drive let’s list out points which we expect Beat to prove itself:

1. How does it stand apart in the most crowded segment in the country, where almost 70% of cars sold are hatchbacks?
2. Now almost every new Hatchback sold in the country runs on 1.2 Ltr powerhouse, how does this drive?
3. Does it have a big car feel inside?
4. How thirsty is it, no review in India is complete without this question.
5. Is it VFM (Value For Money)?
6. Will it cut a hole in my pocket to maintain this?
7. Can it be an answer to the most desirable Maruti or the well liked Hyundai?
8. And the most important one, does it set my heart beating rapidly?

Well to see the answers of all the above be glued to IAB for the updates.

IAB would also be keen in answering any more points that you might want to add. Feel free to use the comments box below.

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Entry posted on March 13th, 2010 and filed under Car Reviews, New Chevrolet Spark

Video – Chevrolet Spark (Beat) commercial in Europe

All I can say is it all starts with a Spark!

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Entry posted on March 12th, 2010 and filed under New Chevrolet Spark

Man paints Chevrolet Beat on canvas. So what’s special?

26-year old artist Ian Cook painted a Chevrolet Spark (Beat). He painted it using many colors. He painted in on canvas. His painting is close to the real thing.

What’s the catch?

He had to do it without using a brush!

Ian Cook, a highly talented artist from West Midlands is a car buff himself. He used remote-controlled cars and old tyres to draw the Spark on a blank piece of canvas. It’s not the first time he’s done it. This is his 41st painting and 6th Chevrolet.

Ian Cook -

I’ve done several commissions for Chevrolet before, so when the opportunity to be the first person ever to create an image of the Spark came along, I couldn’t turn it down. It looks quite simple but the logo is actually very intricate. The angles have to be exactly right, and the criss-cross detail of the gold inside the bow-tie was difficult to replicate.

His first three – of the Camaro Convertible Concept, Beat Concept (which evolved into Spark) and Rob Huff’s 2008 Lacetti WTCC car were created in front of thousands of awe-struck on-lookers at the 2008 edition of the British Motor Show. Cook’s next task is to judge the Young? Creative? Chevrolet! art competition which begins shortly.

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Entry posted on March 11th, 2010 and filed under New Chevrolet Spark

Chevrolet Beat clocks 10,000 bookings in 24 days

The Chevrolet Beat’s manifesto shown during the launch held last month

Epic!

The attractive Chevrolet Beat, as our friends in Wheelosphere put it, is beating all competition. In just 24 days after bookings commenced, the Chevrolet Beat has registered 10,000 bookings in India.

General Motors has priced the Beat very aggressively. The company admits cannibalization will definitely happen given the Beat’s prices were very close to the entry-level model Chevrolet Spark. A company official said GM wants the Beat to take the lead soon and become their best selling model with 5,000 units a month.

P Balendran, Vice-President, GM India -

The response to our latest offerings from the 300 series, the Cruze and the Beat, has been overwhelming and we are certain that these will further provide an impetus to Chevrolet’s growth in the Indian market.

Unlike other small cars in the market today, the Chevrolet Beat’s personality is very unique. Features like motorcycle inspired gauge, C-pillar mounted door handle, good quality plastics, high level of fit and finish, a steering wheel that offers good grip and a gear box that works well with the engine are the reasons we think are behind the Beat emerging to this level.

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Entry posted on February 4th, 2010 and filed under New Chevrolet Spark

Chevrolet Beat launched – Shocking prices start at 3.34 lakh rupees!

Chevrolet_Beat_India_launch_DelhiThe Chevrolet Beat looks 3-door, styled futuristic and priced aggressively

The Chevrolet Beat was launched here in Delhi today. The gathering at the launch were eagerly awaiting the prices and when they were announced, eyeballs literally popped, hands automatically came together and some even stood up in disbelief!

While many of us were expecting the price to be between 4-5 lakh rupees, GM has gone in for the kill with pricing under 4 lakh rupees for all variants.

Chevrolet Beat Price (ex-showroom Delhi)

Chevrolet Beat PS Price – 3.34 lakh rupees

Chevrolet Beat LS Price – 3.54 lakh rupees

Chevrolet Beat LT Price – 3.94 lakh rupees

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Entry posted on January 4th, 2010 and filed under Auto Expo 2010, New Chevrolet Spark

Chevrolet Beat to be priced between 4-5 lakh?

The new Chevy Beat comes with innovative design outside and inside

While Autocar magazine reports prices of Chevrolet Beat would begin at 3.75 lakh rupees, Financial Express suggests the price would be between 4 and 5 lakh rupees. The Chevrolet Beat is powered by a 1.2-liter petrol engine with features such as climate control and alloy wheels on select variants.

General Motors will take extra care while deciding prices of this crucial small car.

Karl Slym, President and Managing Director, General Motors India -

We made a mistake with the pricing of Spark in the market. But Beat will be priced competitively and the price will speak for the product

The Chevrolet Beat is a replacement for the Spark in Europe, but it will coexist with the Spark here in India.

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Entry posted on December 10th, 2009 and filed under Auto Expo 2010, New Chevrolet Spark

New Chevrolet Spark/Beat scores high in Euro NCAP crash tests

The next generation Chevrolet Spark (which will be launched in India as the Chevrolet Beat in January next year) performed well in the Euro NCAP crash tests conducted recently. The Spark a five-star rating for child protection and a four-star rating overall. An overall score of 69 out of a maximum 100, meant the Spark did not come home with a 5 star rating, but still, it is a commendable score in this segment of vehicles.

In adult protection, the Spark recorded the maximum score of 8 points in the side impact crash test against a moving deformable barrier. A score of 7.35 points out of 8 in the side pole test, indicates solid passenger protection in the event of a more severe side collision.

In child protection, the Spark bagged maximum points in child restraint system dynamic performance tests, which evaluate child protection from possible injuries in various types of crashes. Crash test dummies representing 18-month old and 3-year-old children were properly contained in their restraints by the Spark’s protective shell during side impact tests.

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Entry posted on November 26th, 2009 and filed under New Chevrolet Spark

New Chevrolet Spark exports begin in Korea – Will sell in 150 nations

New Chevrolet SparkThe new Chevrolet Spark will begin its Indian escapade as ‘Beat’

GM Daewoo Auto & Technology Co., the Korean unit of U.S. carmaker General Motors Co., has begun exports of the next generation Chevrolet Spark to European markets. The new Spark will sell in more than 150 countries and India is also among the nations.

GM Daewoo began selling the new Spark in the South Korean market from September 2009 under the name of Matiz Creative. Fitted with a 1-liter gasoline engine and a four-speed automatic gearbox, the new Spark can return a mileage of 17kmpl.

Hwang Woo-seong, Head of GM Daewoo’s plant -

Given its performance, design and quality, the Matiz Creative is expected to satisfy the needs of customers around the world

By the end of 2010, GM Daewoo is eying an export figure of 20,000 units. The new Spark will be sold in India as “Beat” starting January 2010.

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Entry posted on November 26th, 2009 and filed under New Chevrolet Spark

GM India names new small car as Beat

Chevrolet_Beat_India_speedo

We guessed it right! Chevrolet’s new small car to be unveiled at next year’s Auto Expo will be christened Beat. The same is also its concept’s name.

This isn’t the first time a company is using the name of the concept for the production version. Maruti’s A-Star concept did not come through into the real world with the same panache. The name was retained as a consolation.

The Chevrolet Beat will be priced at around 5 lakh rupees and 20-25% of the production volume is for overseas markets like Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and Sri Lanka.

President and MD of General Motors India, Karl Slym -

The Beat is on schedule and is being tested as of now. We will start production for sale on December 15 this year. It will be first displayed at the 2010 Auto Expo in Delhi in January

The Beat will be strapped with a 80bhp 1.2-liter petrol engine. Later in the year, a diesel engine is also likely to be on sale.

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Entry posted on October 2nd, 2009 and filed under New Chevrolet Spark

GM’s Mini car scheduled for Delhi Auto Expo 2010?

GM’s Mini car scheduled for Delhi Auto Expo 2010?

When we got in touch with Mr.P.Balendran, VP GM India, he conveyed the Cruze will be launched in October and the Mini car is scheduled for December.

Now, leading websites and blogs like Inside Line report the mini car will have its birth day during the Auto Expo 2010.

GM’s mini car is expected to come with a 4-cylinder, 16-valve DOHC engine with a displacement of 1,000 cc that delivers 69 hp. A 3-cylinder diesel engine is also in the pipeline, set aside for the end of next year.

This vehicle has been rebadged as the Matiz Creative in Korea under the Daewoo banner and launched a few days ago.

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Entry posted on August 25th, 2009 and filed under New Chevrolet Spark

New Chevrolet Spark can be named Onix; sedan variant in the pipeline

New Chevrolet Spark can be named Onix; sedan variant in the pipeline

The Suzuki Swift was strangely given a boot in India. So many of my friends did not like its looks once it was launched. The rear tried to replicate the 7 Series while the lines on the side was reminiscent of a Bentley, which was not very convincing. I remember quizzing everyone about the Dzire and some even quit speaking to me when they came to know I liked the Dzire’s looks.

But look at what magnitude of success this car has tasted. It has outdone all its classmates and the predictions of mine in college, selling almost two times the number its nearest competitor managed. Many controversial designs have done well in India. The Mahindra Xylo and the earlier Honda City are also good examples in this case.

The new Chevrolet Spark is a type of car one likes to see, stay as a hatch. It surprisingly holds back most of the concept’s lines, which is a good thing. Even the existing model remained as a hatch through its entire life.

Now news is out that in the future, a sedan variant of the stunning Spark will come out of the Brazilian production line.

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Entry posted on August 3rd, 2009 and filed under Chevrolet, New Chevrolet Spark
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