Ignore the zany camouflage – beneath the canvas, swirls and dots sits Chevrolet’s new Beat supermini. It’s the car that will replace the aged Matiz – thanks goodness – and it sits on GM’s new ‘world car’ B-class platform, developed in Korea. It’s early days yet for the fresh-looking Beat though – it only arrives here in 2010.
Wasn’t the fate of the Chevrolet Beat decided by a vote or something?
It was. Chevrolet unveiled three concepts at 2007’s New York motor show – Beat, Groove and Trax – and then asked the public to vote online for the car they wanted to go into production. With modern, muscular and chunky looks it’s no surprise the Beat took top honours after 1.9 million votes had been cast. It’s the very antithesis of the current Matiz. Just as well – the Beat will be sold around the globe in over 100 countries, so its visual appeal is crucial if Chevrolet is to succeed as GM’s entry-level marque.
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Let’s hope they haven’t watered down the concept car’s looks
A close study of the prototype that we caught testing in the Alps shows that the basic proportions of the Beat concept seem to have made it through unscathed – check out that cliff-faced nose, the high-mounted headlamps and the arrowhead shape where the front wheelarch, bonnet and A-pillar meet. Even the crease at the bottom of the doors is visible in the test car. Expect both three- and five-door variants to be available.
Tell me about engines
It’s early days yet, but we’ve been told that Beat will borrow the 65bhp 1.0-litre and 86bhp 1.2-litre petrol four-pots from the new Agila, as well as Vauxhall’s rather fine 1.3-litre turbo diesel in 75bhp and 90bhp trim, all hooked up to five- and six-speed manual transmissions And don’t rule out a warm 150bhp three-door halo model, powered by the 1.6-litre blown unit found in the Corsa SRi.
Excited by the Chevy Beat or worried that it’ll be watered down version of the concept? Click ‘Add your comment’ below and have your say.