Motoroids, an online publication from India, has caught the Chevrolet Beat completely undisguised. The car was driving on a public road, oblivious to the imminent spy video camera on its right rear. Looking at the exposed exterior it seems not very much has changed from the concept car on which the Beat is based.
The styling is quite radical for a small mass-market car. Some prominent features include the high bonnet and a bold front end with big headlights. The side view reveals a window line that slopes all the way from the rear to the A-pillar. To enter through the back one will have to use the hidden door handles located near the C-pillar. The rear lights are also quite prominent.
Powerplants to be fitted will initially include a 1.2-litre Chevrolet Family-B petrol engine making 61kW (82bhp). Some time later it will be joined by a 0.9-litre Fiat-sourced diesel worth 43kW (57bhp) and good doses of 140Nm in torque.
Chevrolet will be counting on the online poll it conducted in 2007 to notch up good sales figures. That exercise in market research saw the Beat being chosen over two other concept cars which were also being considered for production.
Globally the car will replace the Spark. In the Indian market it will sell alongside it but at a higher price. In Korea the Beat will be known as the Daewoo Matiz.
