[kapursaket]

Background
Need for new Car in the Family was generated by ever increasing petrol prices and daily run of 40 Kms of my daughter to Law College on our Fiat Siena 1.6ELX (100BHP). The fuel bill had climbed upto INR6500.00PM with ever increasing traffic jams in NCR of Delhi and petrol consumption measurement changing from KM per liter to Liters per hour. One thing was clear that we required a Diesel Car and the budget was not exceeding Rs.5Lacs as it had to be Cash Down to avoid hassels of EMI.

Shortlisting
FIAT Punto Active, Ford Figo TDCI, Ritz LDI and Chevy Beat 1.0LS with its new Diesel avatar were the shortlisted Cars.

FIAT Punto was the first choice owing to high satisfaction levels with FIAT quality and reliability in FIAT Siena. But the budget was overshooting by Rs.45,000.00 and the length of the car also was a little more. Hence dropped from the list.

Ford Figo TDCI was good to drive but looks were not contemporary and found the sitting to be a little low and the Budget also overshooting by Rs.50,000.00

Ritz LDI was outright dropped owing to waiting and being out of budget.

Beat 1.0LS was test drove, found it within the budget with trendy exteriors, funky speedometer and Tachometer, Extremely Frugal Diesel engine with low NVH. This was locked as a family decision.

Dealer Hunt
Now began the hunt for the Dealer offering best deal with a promised delivery on Dhan Teras (Festival Two Days before Diwali). Called up all dealers here in Delhi and received replies ranging from waiting of 10 Days to 30 Days. Regent Automobiles at Mohan Cooperative Industrial Area confirmed ready delivery of all variants PS, LS and LT with a wide choice in colours. A trip to the dealer on the evening of Friday 21st October 2011 and excellent behaviour of the Sales executive Mr.Sunil Gupta we confirmed the booking for Super Red Beat 1.0 LS with an assurance of delivery on Monday 24th October 2011. No discounts were offered except usual Floor Mats, Divinity etc. but was promised a thorough PDI. Verified the VIN number and FORM 20, confirming date of Manufacturing as Sept. 2011 and date of despatch from Talengaon as September 30 2011. Vehicle Insurance I opted to buy online and save approximately Rs.2500.00.

Delivery & Experience
As promised Car was ready for Delivery on the Dhan Teras day with Registration Number etc. Delivery process was prompt and professional. Have had an opportunity to drive 300Km, the new acquisition around the town and formed following opinion-:

1. Exteriors are extremely trendy and appealing. Paint job is glossy and stands out amongst neighbors RED POLO and RED FIGO.
2. Black Interiors contrast well with RED color and the Seat Fabric is good quality and well matched.
3. Steering Wheel with funky speedometer instills confidence of youth and life.
4. Silver on steering Wheel with Goiden Chevrolet emblem are ornamental to the Beat interiors.
5. Front Seat Stance is Comfortable with all controls e.g Gear Shift, Combination Switch to control the turn signal, wiper and Head Lamps ergonomically placed.
6. Front view is slightly raised hence bonnet is not visible even to a 6ft like me. Reverse view is extremely clear and short overall length makes it extremely convenient to park in a city like Delhi otherwise suffering from paucity of parking space.
7. Engine cranking is short and smart with idling extremely silent.
8. Driving is peppy with quick gear shifts to achieve highest fuel average and lowest NVH.
9. First Tank Full (30L) is now just over half with 300Km of city driving. Do not have average statistics ready yet.
10. Steering Wheel is extremely light but not as responsive. Apt for city parking and maneuverability.
11. Ride Quality appears to be comfortable with most of the pot holes and undulations going unnoticed.
12. First Service due 1000Km or One Month.

Looks like this 936CC Diesel Engine from GM is going to set standard for competitors.

Update

1300KM

Made a pilgrimmage trip to Haridwar, a round trip of a little more than 500Km. During the trip drove on kutcha tracks and Toll Plaza. Touched 100KM/hr without sacrficing stability.

1. FE figures 21.6Km/l on a mix of city and Highway driving.
2. First inspection over at 1000Km, which was cleaning and washing.
3. NVH has further mellowed.
4. Apt city shuttle

[guyfrmblr]

Congratulations on the new Beat. Looks stunning in Red. A very good short and crispy review.
Does your car have factory fitted music system? How is the AC performance? I like the instrumentation cluster of Beat which reminds me of some sports bike console. Can you please post some interior pics?

Have many more happy and safe miles with your new Beat.

[diesel_power]

Originally Posted by kapursaket

1. Exteriors are extremely trendy and appealing. Paint job is glossy and stands out amongst neighbors RED POLO and RED FIGO.

Seems that you guys have a fixation for red.

Originally Posted by kapursaket

Looks like this 936CC Diesel Engine from GM is going to set standard for competitors.

The diesel engine is the FIAT's renowned Multijet one. Tweaked by GM for the requirements.


May you enjoy many more miles in your Beat. And keep us updated.


Drive Safe
diesel_power.

[subscrive]

Originally Posted by diesel_power

The diesel engine is the FIAT's renowned Multijet one. Tweaked by GM for the requirements.

not really. afaik, its a pure GM engine which even fiat cant use without paying royalties.

[mayankjha1806]

Congratulations, its a cute looking car, please post more pictures of exterior and interior. Looks especially cute in Red colour.

21 Kms/Lt is just n awesome figure, Any updates how much only in city with AC on all the time?

[kapursaket]

Originally Posted by guyfrmblr

Congratulations on the new Beat. Looks stunning in Red. A very good short and crispy review.
Does your car have factory fitted music system? How is the AC performance? I like the instrumentation cluster of Beat which reminds me of some sports bike console. Can you please post some interior pics?

Have many more happy and safe miles with your new Beat.

Thanks buddy. Beat is available in three Variants, PS/LS/LT and only LT has a music system. Mine is LS and I have the option of going in for a System of my choice. Moreover provision for same is there.

Sure will soon post pictures of the interior, especially the funky Steering Console.

[kapursaket]

Originally Posted by diesel_power

Seems that you guys have a fixation for red.



The diesel engine is the FIAT's renowned Multijet one. Tweaked by GM for the requirements.


May you enjoy many more miles in your Beat. And keep us updated.


Drive Safe
diesel_power.

I remember stunning red colored Opel in my neighbourhood when I was a child. This belonged to a diplomat in Iran Embassy. That was the age of Premier's and Ambassadors with more of socialist colours. Surly red would not have gone well on those sobre designs.

It was Maruti 800 which brought red colour into Indian market and I remember the premium for red shade in the black market. Rest is history.

Believe me Red is an auspicious colour.

Thanks for your wishes diesel_power

[kapursaket]

Originally Posted by subscrive

not really. afaik, its a pure GM engine which even fiat cant use without paying royalties.

Guys you are right that Beat's Smartech engine is Multijet minus One Cylinder. But it has been tweeked for highest torque at lowest rpm. 150nm at 1700rpm. A/C works excellent on bumper to bumper traffic unlike petrol siblings where you need to increase the engine rpm to generate that extra torque.

[kapursaket]

Originally Posted by mayankjha1806

Congratulations, its a cute looking car, please post more pictures of exterior and interior. Looks especially cute in Red colour.

21 Kms/Lt is just n awesome figure, Any updates how much only in city with AC on all the time?

Thanks mayankjha1806. Ogle the red beauty in other pose.

Shall divulge the figure of All Metro driving with A/C and bumper to bumper traffic in next post.

[Auto freak]

Congrats on your Beat D!

I agree with you on the front on rear visibility. I felt it difficult initially as well.
But you sure will get used in a couple of days.

Wish you lot of happy miles with her!
Your beat looks awesome! great pics!

[tckanth]

Congratulations on you Beat D.

IMHO this is one of the best VFM diesel hatches available currently for city driving. And with FE of 21KMPL the car is a Rockstar (not like the movie though).

I would really be interested in knowing:
1. The ICE setup
2. The highway behavior of the car. Did you get a chance to test its top speed and also do you think it can do well at 90-110 KMPH on highways?

I have booked my Beat D also and will soon join you as a proud owner of Super Red Beat D.

Regards,
CT

[manasmadaan]

Many many congratulations for the car. it surely does look great in red. I myself am contemplating it for my 2nd car.

Kindly post some interiors pics of the car
Also can you tell about its highway manners at 110-120 km/hr with 4 adults?
And how did you find the rear seats ? There have been many instances of it being called claustrophobic and with very tight rear leg space.

[CRtorquefan]

Congratulations on buying the New Beat TCDi.
22+kmpl is the main USP of it & enough to consider this already a Transformers car.

Well done. Congrats once again & Have a happy mile munching ahead.

[kapursaket]

Thanks BHpians for your good wishes and supporting my decision on buying Beat Diesel.

Steering is extremely light but at the same time maintains its stability even at 100Km/Hr. Its very helpful in parking the car in tight spots.

Although I have myself never used the rear seat but my two adult children Son and Daughter do not find it uncomfortable. The reason to feel claustrophobic in rear is owing to Quarter glass of rear door being used for door opening handle. It's just a paradigm shift!

[SunilM]

Nice crisp and to the point review. The Beat sure looks funky in red. Wish you miles and miles of happy driving!