First Drive : Chevrolet Beat Diesel

The Chevrolet Beat diesel is powered by the 3 cylinder of the fiat multijet motor. At idle, its amazingly refined and close to very silent. As a safety measure, the idle does not cross 3000 rpm. The lag is there but driveability wise, the Figo and Micra are better.

Outright performance on the highway is nothing to write home about and this is strictly a city car meant for a bit of highway use. For an electric steering, the feel is good and better than the Micra. Ride is overall above average, handling is friendly though

the Figo is infinitely better in this regard. Turbo starts to spool up at 2000 rpm but some lag is felt below it. The perfect range is 1800-3200 rpm to get the maximum out of this engine.

On highway, the Swift isof course, quicker. The Micra and Figo feel a tad more user friendly than the Beat. the 3 cylinder engine makes its prescence felt at 3000 rpm and the thrum will as usual fall short as compared to the smoothness of the 4 cylinder. To suceed, it will have to be priced below the Figo. It will have the same 4
variants with same levels of equipment-PS, LS, LT and LT with alloys, ABS and dual airbags. We drove the LT without ABS and braking was

quite okay. We are assuming a price tag of 4.30-5.20. Though its still too early to comment.

''Launch is on July 25th''

 

 Our Verdict : A gud City Car :)

Test Driver : Siddharth Shankar