Chevrolet Beat

Chevrolet Beat

Everyone is familiar with Chevy as a manufacturer of solid automobiles at reasonable prices. However, were you aware that the corporation has a rich history that dates back to the year 1911? In that year, Chevrolet was established in Detroit as a dealership for automobiles. And despite the fact that the corporation is probably best recognised for its automobiles at the present time, it has always been dedicated to technological advancement. The Chevrolet Beat is a good example of this. The Beat was an innovative vehicle that was ahead of its time in many respects and came equipped with a variety of cutting-edge technologies. To start, it was one of the first automobiles ever produced with an electronically controlled transmission, which made it a pioneer in terms of the type of technology that it had. It was also equipped with front-wheel drive, which made it considerably more nimble and stable than other automobiles of its time period. Even after Chevrolet stopped producing the Beat, the company continued to explore cutting-edge technologies, which eventually led to the production of such iconic vehicles as the Corvette and the Camaro. In a nutshell, Chevrolet is never hesitant to test the waters and try out new concepts, which is one of the reasons you can depend on the corporation to produce high-quality goods on a consistent basis.

How is the Design?

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, its close resemblance to the concept car is visible. 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.

The country in which hatchbacks grow at the rate of growth in economy and population, it has to be really different and radical to stand apart from the crowd and that’s what this Chevy does well. It’s sexy, loud and radical, the design stands apart from the conventional looking hatchbacks and it would be more appealing to your wife or girlfriend than say your father or uncle.

The huge head lamps look like sharp raised eye brows starring with some raunchiness. Chrome inserts added on fog lamps & rear lamps looks like an aftermarket job but works well with design. The Beat's design is very unique and if I was to choose the most appealing design among the existing bunch of hatches in this price range, I'd single out the Beat over the Suzuki A-Star and Ford Figo. Despite being a replacement for the immensely popular Chevrolet Spark in other countries, look at the level of departure in terms of design and styling. Sure, the Spark originally is rebadged Daewoo Matiz with bits and pieces changed, but even then Chevrolet took the Beat to an all new level, leaving nothing untouched. This isn't exactly the case with other car makers who stick to the existing model for a start in the design studio. Suzuki and Tata come to mind as examples while I write this story.

How does it perform?

The Beat is powered by GM’s S-TEC II series of engines—a 4-cylinder, 16-valve 1199 cc mill with a peak power output of 80.5PS@6200 rpm and peak torque of 108Nm@4400 rpm. This is the closest you get to the class leading power and torque figures of the Maruti Suzuki’s K12 engines which produce 85PS and 113Nm. Most people miss out on this bit, but the Beat has the most powerful engine of the lot in the new breed of 1.2-litre hatchbacks, next only to the MSIL’s K-series power plants (unless you wish to consider the Honda Jazz which is almost twice the price).
So how well does that power on the paper translate onto the road? Well, the Beat isn’t exactly a crackerjack of a car, but it does command respect in its immediate petrol neighbourhood inhabited by the likes of its compatriot Mr Figo, Mr Polo who is a German and Mr. Punto who is a handsome Italian. With a 0-100km/h sprint timing that hovers around the 15s mark, the Beat is slower only than the Swift and the Ritz 1.2 petrols, which share the same engine. It gets off the mark neatly, and builds the momentum without showing any worrisome signs of lethargy as long as you keep working with the gear shifter. The engine noise, which is a bit of a bother as you build rpms, gets surprisingly pronounced after 4500 rpm, intrudes the cabin freely, and doesn’t inspire you much to keep the throttle floored. Somewhere around the 5000 mark, the engine also shows some signs of reluctance if you hold on to the same gear, and calls for a shift. The revs build up nicely after 3000 rpm though, after which power flows through rather freely lending the Beat a rather nimble quartet of feet.

We didn’t face any notable issues within the city as regards driveability, although there are cars which have a better lower end torque and power delivery. The five-speed transmission system presents itself in the form of a relatively long-throw stick which is positioned slightly behind the ideal position for our liking. It’s adequately smooth to not annoy you, but nowhere close to the slick shift action of the Swift or the Honda Jazz. The Beat’s shifter is slightly notchy, nothing much to complain about though. If you have been driving for a fair bit, you would not find it worrisome at all. It’d have been better had the cute Chevy matched up with the best in class though.

All in all, it’s a good engine, mated with an average transmission. It’s a tad noisy and lacks the outright refinement that is a sought in a small city car like this. The acceleration and top speed performance is largely above the class average – which is a great thing, made even more impressive by the fact that it has the class-leading ARAI certified fuel efficiency figure of 18.6km/l. It also gets a diesel engine of 936 cc which is not a very popular pick for buyers.

How’s the Mileage?

The Beat mileage is 17.8 to 25.44 kmpl. The Manual Diesel variant has a mileage of 25.44 kmpl. The Manual Petrol variant has a mileage of 17.8 kmpl. The Chevrolet Beat is an excellent choice for commuters looking for a car that is both dependable and within their price range. Whether you need additional space for your luggage or simply want to take advantage of Chevy's well-known fuel economy, the Beat is an option that you should absolutely take into consideration.

How’s the Driving Experience?

This vehicle underwent a complete redesign for the model year 2017 and now provides drivers with an improved riding and handling experience. Because of its solid build and responsive steering, the Chevrolet Beat is a fantastic choice for manoeuvring around the city. Because the journey is so pleasant and relaxing, even long trips won't feel like a chore. Although it's not very big, most people can fit in the backseat just fine. The Beat employs the popular McPherson Strut suspension setup up front and a compound link type suspension at the rear. Now, the first thing that you would want from a car like the Beat, which is primarily going to potter around in the city is comfort. And the Beat delivers a pliant and composed ride which is substantially superior to the wobbly and thuddy ride quality of the entry level small car. However, things like ride quality are difficult to measure. There is hardly a quantifiable means to measure the quality of ride. You can do with references though, and for me, the ride quality of the Ford Figo is by far the best in this class. The Beat is still some distance away from attaining the impeccable composure of the Figo, but offers a comfortably pliant ride nonetheless. We think that the Beat’s ride is slightly on the stiffer side when compared with the other cars in the segment, which make the rear a wee bit bouncy. There isn’t anything to worry about though, as it still offers above class-average ride quality.

The engine noise intrudes the cabin. The NVH level in the cabin, even with the thick NVH insulators under the bonnet isn’t the best in this category. As you climb up the rev range the noise increases progressively, and by the time you reach the 5000 mark, you feel like releasing the throttle so as to ease the engine a bit. The cabin of the Chevrolet Beat has an air of sophistication though. Because the Chevrolet Beat provides a pleasant driving experience on the whole, it is a fantastic option for motorists who are searching for a compact car that is affordable and provides a good value.

What’s the Interior like?

The beat welcomes you with some of the snazziest interiors in its class when you first enter it. Having not experienced it in person before, I was pleasantly surprised to see the modern design which is a relieving departure from the boring regulation interiors, hard to tell from model to model. The Beat has a dual deck cascading dashboard design, somewhat similar to its bigger sibling, the Cruze. GM has made interesting use of a glossy black coloured plastic material for inserts on the dashboard and on the door panels to add a touch of sophistication to the otherwise funky cabin. We must say, it’s an innovative thought and not only does it look nice but also gives the Beat’s cabin its own unique personality. The front seats of the Beat are supportive and comfortably firm, if a little narrow. Slightly wider seats would have been better.

There is sufficient space at the rear too, as regards legroom. The Beat doesn’t feel cramped in terms of knee-room, but the small size of the rear window makes the cabin look very gloomy, dark, and cramped. Even the width of the rear bench isn’t too appreciable, and it’s next to impossible to seat three in the backseat. The seats are comfortable though, and are done in good quality fabric, which doesn’t look dirty even after taking a lot of abuse.

The Beat’s cabin is sure to throw a pleasant surprise at you if you have not seen it before. Just like the exterior, the interior too is funky, has a character of its own and refuses to lose its identity in a swarm of functional, faceless cabins. The good thing is that even after being bold and experimental in terms of aesthetics, the beat’s cabin remains highly functional and ergonomic

Tech and Infotainment

The new Chevrolet Beat can be the best choice for you if you want a car that is not only fashionable but also entertaining to drive. Not only does the Beat have an attractive appearance in public, but its technological features are also very advanced. The Beat comes with a multi-function steering wheel, front power windows, rear power windows, power steering, air conditioner, and an integrated music system with a CD player, radio, speakers, AUX, and others.

Safety Equipment

The use of various pieces of safety equipment is something that Chevrolet strongly advises its customers to do whenever they get behind the wheel. These components consist of an airbag, a child restraint system, and a seatbelt. The top-end model Chevrolet Beat LTZ Diesel comes with safety features like Seat Belt Warning, Child Lock, and Central Locking.

When it comes to seating, Chevrolet suggests that every passenger, including those in the front row, use a seat belt at all times. In the event of an accident, this will help to keep everyone who is riding in the vehicle safe. It is imperative that you always wear your seatbelt, as this will prevent you from becoming trapped within the car or being ejected from it in the event that you are ever in a collision.

A child restraint system is yet another essential piece of safety equipment. These are made to securely hold in place children as young as four years old and as elderly as eight years old while they are seated in the back seat of a car. Before embarking on a lengthy trip with your children, check to see that your vehicle is equipped with one.

Which variant to buy?

It has 3 variants: The 1.2, 1.2 LS and 1.2 LT. Airbags + ABS are part of an option pack

The top-end variant does provide more options in terms of features.

Which Cars Compete in this Segment?

The subcompact automobile market is filled with a variety of vehicles, including the diminutive Chevrolet Beat. Chevrolet Beat price starts at Rs 3.96 Lakh and goes up to Rs 6.04 Lakh. The price of Petrol variant for Beat ranges between Rs 3.96 Lakh - Rs 4.92 Lakh and the price of Diesel variant for Beat ranges between Rs 4.94 Lakh - Rs 6.04 Lakh and comes standard with equipment like air conditioning, alloy wheels, and cruise control. The car takes on the likes of the Maruti Suzuki Alto K10, Maruti Suzuki WagonR, Tata Tiago, and the Hyundai i10 and Grand i10 models.

Verdict (Value for Money?)

The Chevrolet Beat is an excellent option for anyone looking for a vehicle to use in the city. Both the ride and the fuel economy are top-notch, and the ride is very comfortable. It provides sufficient space for passengers, and it also includes a number of other amenities that make it an appealing option for families. Because it doesn't have a lot of horsepower, the Beat is probably not the ideal choice for sporty and engaging drives. But it does look immensely cute and performs reliably enough in its segment.