India-spec new Chevrolet Beat revealed

Chevrolet has released the first images of the new-gen Beat hatch expected to hit showrooms later this year. Different from the all-new Chevrolet Spark unveiled internationally, the new Beat for India is an evolution of its predecessor.

The design now looks more grown up and less edgy and is likely to appeal to a lot more car buyers. The new look centres around an updated version of Chevy’s signature two-part grill. Now broken up into two distinct elements, the narrow upper grille and lower/larger ‘shield shaped’ opening below it are both highlighted with plenty of chrome. Also new are the flanks that feature a new smoothened look, the sharp character lines seen on the pre-facelifted car now removed, and the new design looks a bit more muscular too, with its flared wheel arches and creases on the bonnet. The sharp and long headlamps are also replaced by new wider and larger ones that seem to have a more rounded bottom.

This second-gen car however continues to offer the passenger-door handle on the pillar  – a trend started by the first-gen Beat, now also seen on models such as the Mahindra KUV100 and likely to be seen on the next-gen Maruti Swift. The carmaker has not revealed the rear styling for the new Beat, but it is likely to get the license plate relocated to its rear bumper. Also, the tail-lamps will be a tad larger than those the current car and will feature LED inserts.

Information we have also suggests that the new Beat will get a dual-tone interior and a prominent 7-inch display for the infotainment system. And it will also continue with the bike-inspired instrument cluster like the predecessor.

Chevrolet Beat Essentia.

The new India-spec Beat is not an all-new car but a heavily reworked version of the outgoing car. We had reported earlier that GM India had ruled out the all-new car for the domestic market citing cost issues with bringing the car into production. A company official said that the all-new Spark, that made its debut internationally earlier this year, was a product for developed markets only.

While the previous-generation Beat was available in a standard hatchback form, the new Beat will spawn two more derivatives, the Beat Activ cross-hatch and the Beat Essentia compact sedan.

Chevy had earlier showcased the Beat Activ concept at the Auto Expo 2016 and has now decided that the concept will go into production.  The third derivative based on the new Beat for India is the Beat Essentia compact sedan. Earlier showcased at the Auto Expo, the Beat Essentia will rival the likes of the upcoming Kite 5 compact sedan from Tata.

Chevrolet Beat Activ.

Under the hood, all three cars will be powered by a family of 1.0-litre, three-cylinder diesel and petrol engines. The three-cylinder diesel engine is unique to the Indian market, and the new three-cylinder petrol engine is essentially a downsized version of the 1.4-litre four-cylinder Ecotech motor from the Spark.

Chevrolet has also announced that it will launch five new models in the next 24 months. Three of them are based on the new Beat hatchback and the remaining two are likely to be the all-new Cruze sedan and the facelifted Chevrolet Trailblazer SUV.

The carmaker has also announced it has shelved plans of launching the earlier-confirmed Chevrolet Spin MPV in India.