Chevrolet Beat

Chevrolet Beat TestDrive & Review at Expert Reviews http://vicky.in/connect/expertreviews/chevrolet-beat-testdrive-review/

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Chevrolet Beat TestDrive & Review
Posted by TeamVicky under Beat, Car and Chevrolet. 0 Comments
Introduction

Not very long ago, people started writing off General Motors. But the bowtie is here to conquer. After
cruising with cruze, Chevrolet plans to trump the rivals with Beat. Yes, its beat (carries the same name as
the concept) – the next generation spark. Beat was shown along with the Trax and the Groove as a
concept vehicle at the 2007 New York International show. Owing to the response, GM decided to put
Beat into production. India is one very few countries to get the beat earlier. Why? not just because India
is one of the largest hatchback market in the world but also India is the key market for GM’s comeback as
well. Can Beat make a cut in the already crowded hatchback market? Can it beat the rivals.
Design

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Very few cars are as attractive as their hatchbacks! i can recollect only Maruti A-star before Beat. Beat is
radical, striking and exudes youthfulness. The teardrop headlamps flows right from the A-pillar to the
front. Like the Cruze, Beat also comes with GM’s new face – gold bow-tie logo and strong signature
grille. The raised and elongated hood not just ensures beat meets high pedestrian standards of Europe but
also gives masculinity. Accentuating the mascuine character are the roof rails which sits on It also makes
up for the modest fenders which houses 14″ inch alloy.
Styling

The rear door handles are stucked in the C-pillar giving the beat a clean and uncluttered look. The chrome
rounded taillamps and integrated rear tailgate spoiler dominates the rear. But the rear resembles Ritz
sometime. Overall the styling is very impressive if not overtoned and could be the key factor for the
success of this hatch. But i believe time has come for designers to think out-of-the box. Like they said bye
to boxy structures, this new norm of making cars with elongated headlamps, rakish,rakish
windscreen,claustrophobic rear and angled taillamps has started boring. Every small car confirm to this

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new norm in one or other way.
Engine and mileage

Under the hood is the 1.2L S-TEC II 16 valve engine. This gasoline is very much the advanced version of
Aveo U-VA’s 1.2L one. It makes 80.5PS of peak power at 6200rpm and 106Nm of maximum torque at
4400rpm. The figures makes Beat one of the powerful hatchbacks in the lot. Also considering 965kg of
kerb weight, it wins many hatchbacks in the power to weight ratio. But does it translate into on-road
performance as well? see the next slide to know the same. A five speed manual gearbox is mated with this
engine. Beat returns a mileage or fuel efficiency of 18.6kmpl (next only to Nano) under standard
conditions
Performance

Turn on the ignition key, turn it again..but no feedback. You would never know the engine is on or off
while in idling. Hats off to GM, the segment buyers who are going to spend most of the time in traffic
signals would love it. Beat pulls off easily in first or second gear. Similar to low range, the mid range is

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also strong. 130kmph in third gear is an absolute possiblity. The engine is also revvy going all the way to
6000rpm. The taller fourth and fifth makes the beat a slouch in the highway. Downshift to overtake and
work on gears to keep her in the power band. We managed to hit a impressive top whack of 155kmph.
The gear shift quality is decent.
Handling

Built on the 300 series platform which is also the platform the cruze and upcoming next generation aveo.
While the platform fell short with Cruze’s engine, it handles the beat with ease. The straightline stability is
impeccable. Even at 130kmph we never felt unruffled. However, as typical of other city cars the
suspension is tuned for ride than handling. Also it is undertyred (155/70 apollo accelere) and but making
fun is not Beat’s forte. Though the steerring is not as light as Hyundai i10, beat is easy to maneuvere.
Colours

will be available in many colours – red, blue, green, brown, orange and ice blue.
Styling

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Not many cars have equally compelling as their exteriors are! Beat has it. Beat’s cute interiors is
complemented by funky interiors. Look at the instruement panel, it is unique and refreshing. Inspired from
the superbikes, the hooded speedo and digital multi information display is a cool stuff.Also, polished
(piano wood lookalike) touches all over the cabin gives the cabin a upmarket feel. The decals are
legible(tacho bares redline) and control knobs inspire soft touch. But the competitors like i10 and Ritz has
set new set of standard. Beat lacks the much need charming dual tone interiors.
Ergonomics

Front seats are comfortable and comes with large seat travel. Footwell is also large but dead pedal is
absent. Unlike the spark, steering column mounted controls suits the indian driving system well. The high
set dash ensures controls for A/C and audio system are within reach and accessible. But if your
co-passenger is tall, you have to scratch their thighs while shifting the gear. Also front passengers knees
brushes against the central console and the glovebox. As typical of modern hatches, the front and rear end
visibility is heavily compromised.

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Space and Comfort

Though the Beat is short on space, it is intelligently packed. The amount of stowage spaces the beat offers
is incredible. From keeping coins to cellphone to bottles you can find a space. The glovebox and boot
space are adequate. 170 litres of boot space with the seats up, and 994 litres of space if the 60:40 folding
rear seats are down. Beat is strictly meant for four passengers as the track is narrow. The legroom at the
rear is just short of perfect Larger rear occupants may find their knees brush the back of the front seats
and compensate for the absence of lumbar support. However the headroom is decent, even a tall
passenger can be comfortable.
Ride quality and NVH

uses Mcpherson strut at the front and compound crank type at the rear. The ride is complaint at low
speeds and absorbs most shocks. As you move fast, few shocks can spike into the passenger compartment.
But overall ride quality is impressive for a hatch. NVH is average, cost cutting could be the factor. When
the engine is rev hard and as the tacho needle crosses 4000rpm you can see the signs of discomfort even

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in the face of rear passengers. The engine become very noisy even your papa at the rear seat can tell you
drive smoothly. Suspension noise and tyre noise is also evident even when the windows aree shut.
Features

comes with 60:40 foldable seats,power steering,power windows alloy wheels, ABS, dual airbags,rear
wiper, integrated music system, fog lamps,vanity mirrors, sunglass holder and two way movable ORVM.
Forgive us Chevrole is yet to give us the complete feature list. However, to be priced competitively, Beat
may lack remote locking,electrically adjustable mirros,steering adjustment (tilt and reach), sunroof and
mileage indicator.
Variants and Price

will be available in three variants – 1.2, 1.2LS and 1.2LT. GM will officially launch the Beat in Delhi on
04th January. On the likes of Cruze pricing, Beat will be priced competitevely. Expect the pricing to range
between Rs3.7 to Rs 4.2 lakhs
Nice

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Boot light
Completely shutting air-con vents

Not so nice

No reading lamp for rear passengers
Claustrophobic rear

Look at this way

Rear door handles is conveniently placed close to C-pillar. But kids needs adults help to open the
door everytime
Low set fuel lid is good but you have to crouch

Verdict

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Beat is futuristically styled, rides well, promises higher mileage, engine has good low and mid range and
will be cheaper. Barring space and few necessary features, Beat has no shortcomings. Beat may not trump
rivals but will set a league on its own

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