Chevrolet Beat launch in 2009

First we heard the new small car would be called the Mini, but looks like it would be the Chevrolet Beat. The Beat came to India during last year’s Auto Expo, where it was quite popular.

Photo: Chevrolet Beat four door hatchback for India

Initially, it was thought that the radically designed Chevrolet Beat will just remain a concept, and the production car would not be anything as radical. Not so. The production version almost remains unchanged – and it is going to come to India by the end of 2009.

Chevrolet Beat read end picture

Internationally, the Chevrolet Beat will be known as the Spark. However, Chevroelt already sells its mini car Spark in India; so here it is likely that it will retain the Beat nomenclature. Initially, we heard that it would be called the Mini. That was really a silly name for such a modern looking car. I remember seeing it at the Auto Expo 2008, and it was hardly a mini by Indian standards. Beat would be really, really nice.

What else do we know about the car so far? Let’s see.

The Chevrolet Beat will sell alongside the Spark and Chevrolet U-VA in India. There is enough differentiation between the three lookswise, so that should not be a problem.

There is the chance that the Chevrolet Beat would have a petrol as well as a diesel engine. We hope that is the case.

The Beat small car would be built in India, no CKD business. So prices would be well under control, though you can expect premium hatchback pricing.

There is obviously nothing I have to tell you about the design of the Chevrolet Beat – you can see it for yourself from the photos on this page. The car looks amazing, and if Chevrolet India can match it with a couple of good diesel and petrol engines, this is a surefire winner.