The little autobot from Transformers has taken the Indian market with a storm. Its radical design coupled with Chevy’s unbeatable 3 year warranty means oodles of value for money for the prospective buyer. However, Chevy is celebrating its 100 birthday and on that occasion the company has decided to show a new Beat and announce ambitious plans for an EV variant as well.
As one can see, there are not many startling changes. The front fascia now features a polygon with a wide grill. This design trait we saw on the first on the Chevy Sonic and then on the new Captiva. Two chrome ducts on each side of the front bumper to integrate foglamps add a sporty touch to the front. The alloy wheel design is the most eye catching facet of the facelift. A rear spoiler along with some LED tail lamps also make it to the facelift.
The interiors have also received tiny touches. A new LCD screen and optional cruise control makes it to the new model. The overall interior quality has also been worked upon. New 1.2L ecotec engines will power this Beat. On the occasion, Chevy also confirmed that it will be launching the Beat EV, which was designed and developed by their Bengaluru research center, in the States.
Of course, this event was held in the US and thus was more US centric than India centric. The redesigned front-end could well be to meet pedestrian safety standards that are less stringent or absent in APAC region.
Considering Chevy USA plans to launch the new Beat in the US by 2013, there is a strong possibility that Chevy India will also the update the Beat in 2013.
GM has been developing some kickass innovative products in its research center at Bangalore. The recently launched Beat Diesel (the smallest CRDI diesel engine for passenger car in mass production globally) was one such staggering achievement. Another interesting product was the Beat EV unveiled in June. We have thoroughly covered the car’s development since the time it was conceptualized.
Codenamed as the (BEV), the Beat EV adopts a battery pack from the Chevy Volt. It is a 300 cell lithium-ion battery weighing 270kg and possesses an energy capacity of approximately 20 kWh.
The actual drive to the wheels is delivered by a single speed drive unit and an electric motor producing about 45kW of power.
It has a range of 130 kms under normal driving conditions. However, it takes 8 hours to be charged from a 240V outlet. But the good news is that the Beat’s battery pack is liquid cooled so it can operate smoothly between temperatures ranging from -20 degrees to 45 degrees.
Overall, it was a supreme effort from Chevy to give Indian families a practical EV, but sadly it will not be commercialized.
GM India is finally opening up to the reasons for not launching a fully functioning product and the main cause – the infrastructural bottlenecks in India, specifically power.
click through to read more
As another month in 2011 flies by, auto manufacturers are excited about the spur in sales the festive season brings with it. Still worries are plenty as interest rates and fuel prices have seen upward revisions dampening buying spirit among customers. A diesel variant appears to be the superior option offering far superior fuel economy and lighter fuel bills.
There are equations showing that petrol is the better option for vehicles used largely for short commutes, but customers predict repeated hikes in petrol prices over the next three years will play into the advantage of diesel.
General Motors India launched the much-awaited diesel powered Chevrolet Beat last week and the response has been brisk. As the vehicle continues to be launched in many parts of India, GM predicts the Beat brand will have 7,500 takers every month.
GM has to bring in the Sail twins and fit them with Fiat Multi-jet engines. Though the Sails will not arrive in the next five months, an Auto Expo unveiling is a good possibility. These cars along with vans and mini trucks from a new commercial vehicle division will accelerate numbers for GM which plans to reach 300,000 units annually from 100,000 presently in the next few years.
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
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?
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
Even before its introduction, there are whispers in the market about the Chevrolet Beat diesel sending the i10 and Wagon R packing. The Beat diesel is here in the next 4-6 weeks at a premium of 10-15% over the petrol car. Could the diesel variant start under 4 lakh rupees, perhaps at an attractive 3.99 lakh rupees starting price?
There is good reason for the diesel Beat taking over the market as there isn’t a stylish urban runabout for about 4.5 lakh rupees. The Indica eV2 rides on a thirteen year old diesel. Compared to the Beat’s design and Multi-jet derived 1.0-liter diesel engine, it feels like a typewriter.
We are told the Beat’ diesel engine could match the eV2′s 25kmpl fuel economy figure. If Chevrolet could do a 25.1 kmpl, Tata Motors would have to rework its ad strategy and people mention or think about as a result when the Beat diesel ad is played on TV.
Add the 3-year free maintenance package for its mini cars which make the cars more value for the buck. If General Motors can tell the people what the benefits of buying a Chevrolet Beat diesel are, there is no reason why it can’t draw customers from Hyundai and Maruti showrooms.
As one can see, there are not many startling changes. The front fascia now features a polygon with a wide grill. This design trait we saw on the first on the Chevy Sonic and then on the new Captiva. Two chrome ducts on each side of the front bumper to integrate foglamps add a sporty touch to the front. The alloy wheel design is the most eye catching facet of the facelift. A rear spoiler along with some LED tail lamps also make it to the facelift.
