Latest Car News in India

Chevrolet Beat Diesel coming soon

The average middle-class Indian family is looking for a small, economical, four-door hatchback today. Economy is the most important factor effecting the car buyers’ decision while choosing a family hatchback. Diesel cars are becoming more popular among middle class population in the country as petrol prices are touching the sky. Car makers are aware of the market sentiments and are working on their diesel versions to fulfill the demand of Indian customers.

General Motors will be launching Chevrolet Beat hatchback on 25th of July this year comprising of a diesel engine as an affordable diesel car. The car will be having funky looks and a diesel engine for increased economy. The new Chevrolet Beat diesel will comprise of the smallest common rail diesel engine on a passenger car in the country and it will be Company’s first diesel hatchback.

General Motors developed a 3-cylinder diesel engine specifically for Indian Auto market. The diesel engine in new Chevrolet Beat Diesel is based on the 1.3 litre Fiat Multijet engine. General Motors had to make some changes in the engine like reducing its size to 937 cc turning it into a 3-pot by getting ride of one of the cylinders. The reduced in size engine of Chevrolet Beat diesel gives 57.8 horsepower and 15.2 kgm of torque. The new Chevrolet Beat diesel will be more fuel economic as the car will be having double overhead cams and 4-valves per cylinder.

General Motors have replaced the old hydraulic steering with electric one. The new electric steering will make the car easy to drive in the city. The new Chevrolet Beat will be having a maximum speed of 140km/hr but will reach it only after a long stretch on empty highway.

According to ARAI, Chevrolet Beat Diesel with a small engine gives a mileage of 24 km/L which makes it most fuel economic hatchback in India today. But the new Chevrolet Beat diesel is less spacious as it lacks rear and boot space with rear seat only accommodating two adults comfortably.

In the nutshell, Chevrolet Beat Diesel is an economical and affordable car for a small family or max four adults. The anticipated price of General Motors, Chevrolet Beta diesel is around Rs 4-4.2 lakh. The car is expected to compete with Tata Indica V2 (53.5 bhp@5500rpm). The new Chevrolet Beat Diesel impresses with its looks and power but it lacks interior space.

Some of the popular hatchback models in the Indian auto market are Toyota Etios Liva, Ford Figo, Maruti Swift, Hyundai i10, and Volkswagen Polo. Apart from these popular models, cars going to hit the Indian roads this year are Maruti Cervo and Honda Brio.