Here are some pointers from the Beat diesel press conference, a powerpoint presentation discussing technical aspects of the new engine along with official photographs released by General Motors. The Beat diesel in four trims was launched yesterday between 4.29-5.45 lakh rupees (ex-showroom, New Delhi).
Beat Diesel, GM claims, is the biggest step for the company
Knowledge gained from European diesel cars applied on the Beat diesel as Europe is the home of diesel cars
Beat D is PERFECT; P- Performance – class leading power per litre and torque; E- EPS; R- Refinement – Suspension etc; F & E – Fuel Economy; C – Cost of ownership; T – Technology
Jingle used on the advertisement – DRIVE KHULKE
3 year/1 lac kilometer warranty
Chevy promise to refund money if cost of ownership goes beyond Chevy’s predicted maintenance cost
PS TDCI – 4.29 Lac Ex Delhi only power steering and AC; LS – 4.59L; LT – 4.99 L; LT with optional pack (ABS EBD) – 5.45 L
Chevy did not de-spec the diesel model like the competition does
Bookings started a week back and deliveries commenced yesterday
click Continue for unseen images and powerpoint slide
The Chevrolet Beat diesel is powered by a 1-liter XSDE SMARTECH diesel engine equipped with a fixed geometry turbocharger, vacuum operated wastegate and insta torque boost technology. This is the smallest diesel engine in the world in mass production with a service interval of 15k kilometers. It produces 62.5PS/liter of power, 160.26Nm/liter of torque and returns a mileage of 24kmpl (iCAT approved).
Other features of the Beat diesel include Pro-Vario Assist Featherlite Electronic Power Steering which provides variable assistance above 40kmph. The Beat diesel is further equipped with a gas charged, rebound tuned suspension specially for Indian driving conditions, Intelligent launch support system which helps in launching in inclined surfaces, SMART engine and clutch protection mode which increases fuel efficiency and clutch wear.
The diesel Beat is offered in three variants PS, LS and LT. The LT trim is fully loaded but ABS, Airbags and Alloy wheels are optional.
In an official video, General Motors explains some facets of the XSDE SMARTECH diesel engine that debuts on the Beat diesel. The 24kmpl Chevrolet Beat diesel will be launched day after tomorrow simultaneously in Mumbai and Delhi. We’ve brought you details on the model in previous posts but for the benefit of our new readers, here are some details from General Motors in the words of their marketing team -
• Advanced engine design, engineering & packaging.
• Combination of features and engine components package that provides improved performance.
• Significant improvement in NVH characteristics of the engine leading to more comfortable driving experience.
• Smart engine design and technology that provides optimum fuel efficiency in varied driving conditions.
• Higher low end torque delivery for improved driving experience in stop and go traffic conditions.
• Rigorously tested & proven in extreme Indian road and climatic conditions.
India is the first and perhaps the only market where the Beat (known as Spark in Europe and the UK) will be sold with a diesel engine. The turbocharged CRDI 3cyl 1.0L (936 cc to be precise) engine produces produces 57 bhp of power and 150Nm of torque.
Korean media reports inform us that GM Korea has sold off the planned consignment of 400 special edition Beat models in a few days. The Transformers-loving Korean car buyers didn’t wait for the right time to book a Beat decaled with Transformers emblems.
The special edition Beat did not have a redone engine or transmission. Changes were cosmetic with new wheels, a spoiler and Transformers written using the official font in upper case on the bonnet. The company planned only 400 units and they were gobbled up by Korea within days.
Meanwhile here in India, GM has no plans to introduce special editions riding on the success of the Transformers franchise. The diesel variant with a 1L engine emerges on the 25th of this month and we’ve been told that demo vehicles have reached some dealerships. The diesel model could be priced starting at 4.19 lakh rupees for the base model that comes with air-conditioning.
The Beat petrol was launched a day prior to the Auto Expo last year. It started off well, but weeks later Ford came, saw and conquered the buyer’s mind with the Figo. The Beat was forgotten and sales, in later months, were a far cry from the initially projected 5,000 units/month.
With the lowest maintenance costs, ARAI approved fuel efficiency figure of 24kmpl, an electrically-powered steering wheel, softer suspension setup and space-age design, could the Beat diesel beat rivals Maruti WagonR and Hyundai i10? Or will the fizz last only until the new Swift arrival next month with more features and on the back of a much greater hype?
As the rising fuel cost spiral the cost of ownership of petrol cars, many more manufacturers are diverting their resources towards diesel engines. Ford India officially confirmed that they will be focusing on diesel products in the future. VW also hinted that they will also be focusing on diesel cars when they chose to launch the Passat in diesel for an example to cite.
Now GM India is also betting big on the Diesel engines. With the launch of the Beat Diesel and the all new Smartech engine, General Motors India is looking to enhance its range of diesel-driven cars
GM has an annual capacity of 1.6 lakh engine units at its engine plant in Talegaon. The best part about this plant is that it can produce Diesel and Petrol engines on the same assembly line. So clearly, if required, GM India can produce 1.6 lakhs diesel engine and capacity will never be a constraint for them.
When asked about the shift of consumer behavior from Petrol the Diesel, Karl Slym, President and Managing Director, GM India said one cannot control the government’s decisions on fuel prices and they are geared up to meet any kind of demand.
The official Chevrolet Beat diesel webpage is live and published there are the features of the Beat Smartech diesel engine. You can visit our Chevrolet Beat features post to learn other aspects about the new hatchback.
Chevrolet Beat diesel features
• Advanced engine design, engineering & packaging.
• Combination of features and engine components package that provides improved performance.
• Significant improvement in NVH characteristics of the engine leading to more comfortable driving experience.
• Smart engine design and technology that provides optimum fuel efficiency in varied driving conditions.
• Higher low end torque delivery for improved driving experience in stop and go traffic conditions.
• Rigorously tested & proven in extreme Indian road and climatic conditions.
Will this ability to easily shift production from Petrol to Diesel and back be the key success factor for auto manufacturers in India in the Future?
The Chevrolet Beat and the Spark are the real volume drivers for Chevrolet India. Since its launch in Jan 2010, the Chevrolet Beat has made a small place for itself in the Maruti Suzuki dominated territory. Together with its space age styling and class leading warranty, the Beat manages to ship 3,000 units odd per month. However, something was always missing. A diesel heart!
Of course, Chevrolet knew that and hence they started working on the Smartech diesel technology at their Bangalore research center. Finally, the Chevrolet Beat Diesel is ready to be launched on the 25th of this month.
So what changes are expected you ask?
Well the most obvious and the biggest change is the new Smartech diesel engine. The 1.0L (936 cc to be precise) diesel mill works on the similar principle as the Multijet technology from Fiat. It produces 58 bhp of power and 15.29 kgm of torque which is perfect for a small diesel hatchback.
Sources tell IndianAutosBlog.com General Motors is in position to uncork the Beat diesel. Last month GM India told IAB that Beat diesel will launch in late July. Our sources tell us by mid July, the launch will be over and done with. Chevrolet dealers will receive one of the world’s smallest diesel engined cars in end July.
Prices will be 10-15% over the Beat petrol. Last month Siddharth Vinayak Patankar (SVP) of NDTV Car and Bike Show reviewed the Beat diesel. He informed viewers that variants and equipment are left undisturbed and fuel economy of the Beat diesel has reached 24kmpl.
Powered by a 936cc 3cyl diesel engine producing 57bhp/150Nm, it is paired to a new 5-speed gearbox. SVP said the turbo lag is reduced due to a smaller size of turbo and the cabin is silent during operation. The steering system has shifted from hydraulic to EPS in the view to maximize fuel economy.
Our good friend Siddharth Vinayak Patankar of the highly popular Car and Bike Show on the NDTV network unwrapped the Chevrolet Beat diesel on last evening’s episode.
Siddharth gave readers the lowdown along with a brief comparison with the Ford Figo.
Details revealed during yesterday’s CnB show
- A 936cc 3cyl diesel engine producing 57bhp and 150Nm of torque is paired to a new 5-speed gearbox
- Turbo lag is less as the turbo is small and comes to optimum operating speed quickly
- Suspension is tuned for more comfort
- The cabin is more silent than the Figo’s
- Variants are the same and equipment hasn’t been discounted on any of them
- ARAI approved fuel efficiency figure is 24kmpl
- Steering system shifted from hydraulic to EPS
click through to read further and watch the review
Here are some pointers from the Beat diesel press conference, a powerpoint presentation discussing technical aspects of the new engine along with official photographs released by General Motors. The Beat diesel in four trims was launched yesterday between 4.29-5.45 lakh rupees (ex-showroom, New Delhi).
