GM has launched the Chevrolet Beat in India ahead of the Delhi Motor Show. Production started mid-December 2009 at GM’s Talegaon plant, which will export 20% of its output by the end of this year. India is one of the first few markets to get the Beat; it’s not yet launched in Europe and North America, where it will replace the Daewoo Matiz based Spark and take over that nameplate. The Beat will be sold alongside the old Spark in India.
The Beat is powered by a 1.2-litre S-TEC II twin-cam with 79 bhp, capable of 18.6 km/l fuel consumption. The engine features what GM calls PDA (Port De-Activation) which ensures high exhaust gas recirculation for combustion stability at low speeds, improved fuel efficiency and reduced emissions. The sole transmission is a five-speed manual, but an auto ‘box and diesel engine is on the way.
GM says that the Beat’s body is the stiffest and toughest in its segment with 66.5% high-strength steel and over 16% ultra-high-strength steel. With this, it expects a good EuroNCAP rating. Two airbags, ABS and EBD are options in the top LT spec, but climate control, integrated audio with USB and AUX-in, steering column mounted LED back-lit speedo and LCD digital rev counter are standard. Roof rails are also included.
The Beat carries Chevrolet’s design language which appeared in the Cruze. It’s a five-door hatch, but looks like a three-door because the rear door handles are hidden in the C-pillars. Looks familiar? The Beat, in concept form, starred as Skidz in Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen.
More pictures after the jump!
Danny Tan loves driving as much as he loves a certain herbal meat soup, and sweet engine music as much as drum beats. He has been in the auto industry since 2006, previously filling the pages of two motoring magazines before joining this website. Enjoys detailing the experience more than the technical details.
Nice look
Base on my eyes..
lucky indian…always get the cheapest and better FC car
1st!!!
ooo.. better looking compared to matiz a.k.a spark
how much is it, if it ever sell in malaysia?
I hope Naza could make them affordable, say less than RM50k?
Two airbags, ABS and EBD are options in the top LT spec
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Emmm, GM is doing a "Proton" in India. Need better safety, go for the high spec. version.
Mari kita bantai GM kaw-kaw for their failure to protect the life of the people of India. Just like the failure of Proton to offer such devices as a standard.
will naza bring it or assembly it in m'sia?
Good looking wt futuristic style and colours!
Looks refreshing from the inside. Nice cyan illumination.
a muscular little car.
i like this kind of cars…. but when it reaches our shore…. the price …… sigh…….
If chevvy can leverage on its korean operations for tech and design they have a fighting chance against the japanese giants. looks like its doing just that.
The design is striking but doesn't translate well on this mini hatchback. Perhaps on a soft roader like Tucson or Sportage, then it's ok.
It looks yummy until i saw 1.2L, 79hp. Aiks.. The interior is looking very good.
first! quite nice the car, but if got a turbocharged of this 1.2 engine, definitely will be a wonderful choice…
when it comes into malaysia??
hey,nice centre console~~
nice. izit a four or two-door car? where's the door handle for the rear door?
Not bad…..
i like the looks
offtopic>>
let's change the emblem to Autobot's.
let's name it Skid!
yeah!
Overall the I think the design is good but the headlight is too big for a car this size.
Let's name Skid!
quirky meter cluster..over futiristic perhaps…looks pretty good overall..
arch808: It is already mentioned in the article that the car is a five door hatchback with the rear door handle hidden in the C-pillar. Look closely.
Transformers car? Autobots…roll out!
It looks good, BUT pray hard that it DIDNT come with the awful NAZA badge
like Forte, it spoil the whole car from diamond to shit
Nice…looks like a myvi.
Really nice car indeed, but will be pretty sad when it reach here and the price will be sky high. Will NAZA assembled it here and make it a NAZA Beat?
or NAZA Skid….perhaps.
cant wait to see it in our shore…
if the price is right, will be my next buy item…
Nice dash. I wonder if the cheapo design will have the same look. Feel x payah cerita la, sure lain. Anyway, lets see if it makes it way to our shores …
Wah, how good if Naza bring it in and sell at RM 30K???
Naza Beat! I think this car will come to our shores. But will be most likely a CKD version. I hope Naza don't mess things up.
Interior will look a lot different come production time. No blue lights, no LCD dash
the price in india is 400,000 rupees. probably the price in malaysia would be between rm 40000 to rm 50000 or even lower, hopefully.
it looks so cool, i like so much
I remember a renault car many years ago has a similar rear door design.
The safety of car in India is way behind the world. Even their Toyota Altis 1.8 got no airbag.
cantik! more futuristic..
wow,nice! cuma mintak meter tu bagi realistik skit
Autobot,transform!
wow.. this is an Autobot Skids~
awesome…
im gonna rebadge my mivi to tumbuk! beat that!
good news.. naza bringing more small compact cars here in Malaysia…
this is a bad news for juara kampung p2
Don't be Stupid WOLFSBURG .Are u in Fools Paradise or what ? Check before u comment. Check the Spec for Altis 1.8 in the below link(Toyota India website) whether is got Airbags or not. Frog in the WELL thinks that the WELL is the world)
http://www.toyotabharat.com/inen/cars/corolla/spe…