Best VFM in INDIAN MARKET as of now(2010)

Got My New Beat LT(Super Red) on 22nd Sep 2010 nearly one month after the booking date of 30th Aug 2010. Got Discount on Insurance from the Dealer & also Seat cover, Car cover, Floor Mats, Steering wheels cover, etc... as freebies.  The Car was delivered on time by 5pm on 22nd Sep   

Exterior The exterior of the car looks really nice with muscle car styling, Dynamic Grille complemented by the new Chevy bow-tie logo, Aggressive twin-barrel headlamps providing enhanced lighting & style, Chrome-Rimmed Front Fog Lamps for increased illumination, Recessed Rear Door Handles, Integrated Sporty looking rear spoiler for enhancing aerodynamic performance & to provides stable stance in high-speed driving & Satin Silver Roof Rails, etc... everything is very attractively designed in this car to my view, but opinions do differ from people to people..... aren't they 

Interior (Features, Space & Comfort) The steering column-mounted instrument cluster displays a LED backlit analogue speedometer, LCD digital tachometer and ice-blue illuminated controls, which enhance its sporty appeal and functionality. Beat LT comes with Power Steering, 4 Door Power Windows, Body Coloured Internally Adjustable ORVMs, Tilt Steering. It's interior comes with numerous storage compartments, which are convenient for storing objects like sunglasses, cups, bottles and CDs.

Automatic climate control A/C maintains programmed temperatures by automatically switching between heating and air conditioning modes, Beats 60:40 split-folding rear seats provide flexible seating and extra boot storage options. Its Integrated CD / MP3 Player with An AM / FM stereo Radio which also includes a USB port and an auxiliary input jack for playing your favourite music. Beat has 4-star NCAP (New Car Assessment Program) Safety Rating out of Possible 5-star.

The Automatic climate control A/C option is really cool in this car, the A/C chills instantly at temp of 22 deg Celsius or below, the fan speed is good but it is little nosie below 17 deg setting. The leg room in the front rows seat are good for 6 footers like me & they can comfortable sit in these seats. Even after the front seats full pushed back there is sufficient leg room for people measuring 5.5ft. Beat can easily accommodate 3 normal people in the back seats but if someones overweight then comes the problem. And any six footer sitting at back near windows will find it difficult with only inches of space between their head and cars roof... 

The Music System in the car is really good but the speaker fitted in the car are not top notch quality that one can get in the market & ice-blue illuminated controls panel in the car looks really cool at night while driving, the controls are nicely placed in the car, one can easily get used to it after driving for a while. 

Engine Performance, Fuel Economy and Gearbox

Beat has a state-of-the-art STEC II engine, equipped with Port Deactivation technology, dual overhead cam and EGR, As per ARAI testing it delivers a level of fuel efficiency of 18.6 km/l.

The Engine is very very quite at Idle, sometimes i tend to forget the engine is running due to near absence of noise from the engine. GM have redesigned the engine with Indian user in mind so it compromise Pick up for better fuel efficiency. So the car doesn't take off if u floor the Accelerate to the metal below, as i found out Gradual Acceleration does the trick here. By accelerating gradually in the Right gear you can have a good pick up.

This tough, sexy, smart machine is sure to get your heart racing, this little gem of an engine by GM reaches upto speeds of more 150kmph. As i found out on numerous occasions in the new express highway between Pondicherry - Tindivanam & also Chennai - Vellore express highway it easily reached speeds of 140kmph & on couple of occasion it reached the 150 mark. It can go even a little further i think but i was not prepared to take that risk since i was travelling with my family.

The Fuel Economy am getting is 13.1kmpl so far with A/C on all the time while driving, i hope this will improve after the first service 

Ride Quality & Handling

The McPherson strut-type front suspension, combined with a solid stability bar, enables an optimal balance of ride comfort and handling agility, resulting in a smoother performance. At the back, the rear compound crank suspension incorporates a tubular V-beam for a more comfortable ride. A tight, stiff Body Frame Integral (BFI) structure provides a heightened sense of solidity, stability and confident road command.

The High speed stability of Beat is best in its class i can say after taking this beauty for couple of trips, The first trip was from Pondicherry to Melmalayanur, Thiruvanamalai & Back to Pondicherry in a day trip, second one was Pondicherry to Chennai, Kancheepuram  & Back to Pondicherry in a day/night trip. I was feeling very comfortable & relaxed while taking her around the corners, never felt any lose of control while taking corners at speeds in excess of 90-100kmph in express highways

The braking of the car is ok for speeds it is capable  off... but disc brakes at the back wheel will make it even better cause this beauty can go beyond 150kmph. Had couple hard braking incidents in the Tindivanam - Thiruvanamalai road to avoid path holes in road at speed of 90-100kmph & lots of  hard  braking  incidents in the Kancheepuram - Tindivanam road due to lot of speed breakers on the state highway without warning signs that too in night driving at speeds of 90-100kmph. 

Final Words The Beat is a brilliant package. It’s a great combination of style, interior packaging, fuel efficiency and dynamics. It is difficult to find fault with this car because there are no glaring faults. Most of all, it represents fantastic value-for-money. What GM India has here is a winner. The Beat excites at more levels than one and its good looks and unique style features are set to go a long way in winning over customer hearts, am sure i will do...  The competition be better prepared to face the heat from the Beat, its here to give other hatchbacks in the segment a run for their money & scurrying for cover

Areas of improvement Disc brakes at the back,  Music System Speakers not up to the Standards, Large bottle holder to accommodate large 1.2lt & 1.5 lt pet bottles.

 

As i said already VFM (Price, Fuel Economy, Features offered, GM Assurance)Rear Boot Storage Space, Music System Speakers not up to the Standards.