Chevrolet Beat goes on sale in the USA

The Chevrolet Beat is known as the Spark in markets worldwide, and it is going to go on sale in the US Market as a 2013 model. This is significant because the US market has never taken a shine to small cars, even if they were desirable little cars like the Fiat 500. Of course, big names like the VW Beetle and Mini Cooper have a stylish advantage over less-endowed competition. 

The Beat will be sold in five-door version in a nod to practicality (and, we suspect, cutting the cost of engineering a three-door despite there being a concept with that particular number of doors.)  It will be available in three trim levels; the base model, called LS, will have ten airbags, an air-con, power windows, 15-inch alloy wheels and GM's OnStar satnav system. Choose the 1LT and GM will add a seven-inch colour touchscreen with an audio system, USB connectivity, satellite radio, keyless entry, power mirrors, cruise control, Bluetooth connectivity etc. Go to the top-spec 2LT and you'll get alloy wheels with a different design, fog lamps and leather upholstery added to the mix. 

All three variants will be powered by a 1.2-litre four-cylinder Ecotec engine with a five-speed manual. A four-speed automatic is an option. A pure EV is also slated for launch next year, but details aren't forthcoming yet. 

The launch is significant for two reasons: GM USA believes that the US customer will warm to such a product - the Beat is a completely opposite to the new Cadillacs that have made their presence felt at the other end of the car-buying spectrum - and that mile-long features list could easily be transferred to the Indian marketplace. Sure, the ten airbags won't be so popular, and neither will the expensive 1.2-litre engine, but if the Beat were to offer an audio system with a colour touchscreen, we certainly cannot see many people refusing the option if it was offered at a reasonable markup in price.