Chevrolet Beat : Test Drive & Review

TheARUN · 27th December 2009, 23:20

GTO, you've ensured that no-one has to look anywhere else for a BEAT review.

Loved the photograph of the rear seat to show how claustrophobic the area is

Also noticed that the BEAT has the smallest boot amongst its competitors, otherwise, its pretty well stacked.

This is one car that is crying for a THULE roof rack for long drives!

cool.aquarian · 28th December 2009, 12:48

I am not sure if this is correct place to ask, but I have a question about roof rails:

Are the Roof Rails on Beat, Spark and Wagon of any use (apart from looks)?
Can they be used to carry additional luggage (esp bigger suitcases) using roof mounts?
Are they really strong enough for such purpose ?

And from where can one buy roof mounts for these rails ?

kreddy · 28th December 2009, 18:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by cool.aquarian

I am not sure if this is correct place to ask, but I have a question about roof rails:

Are the Roof Rails on Beat, Spark and Wagon of any use (apart from looks)?
Can they be used to carry additional luggage (esp bigger suitcases) using roof mounts?
Are they really strong enough for such purpose ?

And from where can one buy roof mounts for these rails ?

If I have not mistaken, all these roof rails are used in European and other countries for carrying snow boards. Can hardly be used in our conditions.

blackasta · 28th December 2009, 19:32

I presume (may not be correct) that the roof rails are held in place by adhesive in spark/i10/wagon R (have to check my uncle's Wagon R). So they may not be suitable for carrying loads. They are just there to enhance the look IMO.

invidious · 1st January 2010, 20:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by cool.aquarian

I am not sure if this is correct place to ask, but I have a question about roof rails:

Are the Roof Rails on Beat, Spark and Wagon of any use (apart from looks)?
Can they be used to carry additional luggage (esp bigger suitcases) using roof mounts?
Are they really strong enough for such purpose ?

And from where can one buy roof mounts for these rails ?

Hi,

There are usually almost exclusively used to carrying ski equipment and are not meant to carry luggage. It is actually a useless thing to sell in India unless I guess you stay near Auli or some such and go skiing regularly. But some models have what some car companies call "luggage baskets" which fit on top of the rails and can bear a reasonable amount of weight akin to the carriers of yore. I do not know if these are available in India for the models.

tj123 · 4th January 2010, 18:38

GM is working on a diesel motor but don't know how good & when it is going to come. Hope they bring it soon to BEAT the competition hard.

EssYouWe · 4th January 2010, 20:18

Yes, the base version has both PS and AC.

It has beautiful interiors and kicks most of its contemporaries' backside.

I just had a small spin in it. Will post a complete test report tomorrow.

One thing: Took back to back tests with the Estilo/A-Star and the Ritz... for city-driving this car literally trumps them on most counts. The futuristic interiors are an absolute delight.

EssYouWe · 4th January 2010, 22:07

Sadly market response is always lethargic to any change.

GM's poor image goes a long way in ruining things for its great line-up of cars.

Let us hope things change for GM.

GM is finally coming around to pricing their vehicles very competitively.

aKrain · 4th January 2010, 22:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by EssYouWe

Sadly market response is always lethargic to any change.

GM's poor image goes a long way in ruining things for its great line-up of cars.

Let us hope things change for GM.

GM is finally coming around to pricing their vehicles very competitively.

Don't worry!! This one has to sell in good numbers now that GM has priced it so well. And it looks super cool. I am definitely in for it

NetfreakBombay · 4th January 2010, 22:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by EssYouWe

Sadly market response is always lethargic to any change.

IMHO, this is a good thing. It keeps companies on toes. They know they have to deliver "consistently" for 7 - 8 years to alter perceptions.

vulpine101 · 4th January 2010, 22:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by EssYouWe

Yes, the base version has both PS and AC.

It has beautiful interiors and kicks most of its contemporaries' backside.

I just had a small spin in it. Will post a complete test report tomorrow.

One thing: Took back to back tests with the Estilo/A-Star and the Ritz... for city-driving this car literally trumps them on most counts. The futuristic interiors are an absolute delight.

EssyouWe,
Looks like you are literally blown away by the interiors

Beat has got every thing going for it, pricing included. It deserves some good numbers only if chevrolet promotes it well. Teasers were really good.

Small car segment is really getting hot.

But GM should have launched diesel and auto variant to make some big statement
Beat has got nothing "out of the box" compared to its competition, However pricing will be its USP.

fly on ointment however is the bootspace at 170 litres It pulls a challenge on A-star

EssYouWe · 4th January 2010, 23:06

Hehe!

I dunno why that is. I sat in the Beat after sitting in the Captiva and Optra and still liked it better.

I'll post a review and a few pics by tomorrow!

Sujith1100 · 5th January 2010, 00:22

Super cool looking car, looks like some spy's-car or a alien craft.
Sexy speedo meter. Although the rear door handle is pretty funny but very different.
Not that happy with the technical spec, could be beter.

autoweirdo · 5th January 2010, 11:09

Beat priced at 3.34 lk for base model, its just like giving i10 car at santro prices

, surely it will be a toughie for marutis and hyundais

jmshaw · 5th January 2010, 11:12

Hey GTO two thumbs up for the thorough unbiased review! You know what we car enthusiasts look out for in a car. You'll put the car mags out of business I think

27th December 2009, 23:20	#211
TheARUN Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,381 Thanked: 977 Times View My Garage	GTO, you've ensured that no-one has to look anywhere else for a BEAT review. Loved the photograph of the rear seat to show how claustrophobic the area is Also noticed that the BEAT has the smallest boot amongst its competitors, otherwise, its pretty well stacked. This is one car that is crying for a THULE roof rack for long drives!
	() Thanks

28th December 2009, 12:48	#212
cool.aquarian BHPian Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Delhi Posts: 57 Thanked: 0 Times View My Garage	I am not sure if this is correct place to ask, but I have a question about roof rails: Are the Roof Rails on Beat, Spark and Wagon of any use (apart from looks)? Can they be used to carry additional luggage (esp bigger suitcases) using roof mounts? Are they really strong enough for such purpose ? And from where can one buy roof mounts for these rails ? Last edited by cool.aquarian : 28th December 2009 at 12:50.
	() Thanks

28th December 2009, 19:32	#214
blackasta Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: WB 26 Posts: 3,406 Thanked: 2,922 Times View My Garage	I presume (may not be correct) that the roof rails are held in place by adhesive in spark/i10/wagon R (have to check my uncle's Wagon R). So they may not be suitable for carrying loads. They are just there to enhance the look IMO.
	() Thanks

4th January 2010, 18:38	#216
tj123 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: BLR Posts: 1,161 Thanked: 695 Times	GM is working on a diesel motor but don't know how good & when it is going to come. Hope they bring it soon to BEAT the competition hard.
	() Thanks

4th January 2010, 20:18	#217
EssYouWe Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2009 Location: Lucknow Posts: 1,391 Thanked: 18 Times	Yes, the base version has both PS and AC. It has beautiful interiors and kicks most of its contemporaries' backside. I just had a small spin in it. Will post a complete test report tomorrow. One thing: Took back to back tests with the Estilo/A-Star and the Ritz... for city-driving this car literally trumps them on most counts. The futuristic interiors are an absolute delight. Attached Thumbnails
	() Thanks

4th January 2010, 22:07	#218
EssYouWe Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2009 Location: Lucknow Posts: 1,391 Thanked: 18 Times	Sadly market response is always lethargic to any change. GM's poor image goes a long way in ruining things for its great line-up of cars. Let us hope things change for GM. GM is finally coming around to pricing their vehicles very competitively.
	() Thanks

4th January 2010, 23:06	#222
EssYouWe Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2009 Location: Lucknow Posts: 1,391 Thanked: 18 Times	Hehe! I dunno why that is. I sat in the Beat after sitting in the Captiva and Optra and still liked it better. I'll post a review and a few pics by tomorrow!
	() Thanks

5th January 2010, 00:22	#223
Sujith1100 BANNED Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: BANGalore Posts: 729 Thanked: 21 Times	Super cool looking car, looks like some spy's-car or a alien craft. Sexy speedo meter. Although the rear door handle is pretty funny but very different. Not that happy with the technical spec, could be beter.
	() Thanks

5th January 2010, 11:09	#224
autoweirdo BHPian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Pune Posts: 175 Thanked: 109 Times	Beat priced at 3.34 lk for base model, its just like giving i10 car at santro prices , surely it will be a toughie for marutis and hyundais
	() Thanks

5th January 2010, 11:12	#225
jmshaw BHPian Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Mumbai Posts: 46 Thanked: 29 Times	Hey GTO two thumbs up for the thorough unbiased review! You know what we car enthusiasts look out for in a car. You'll put the car mags out of business I think
	() Thanks

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