General Motors launches Beat’s diesel version

 Report Dated: Tuesday, July 26, 2011

 New Delhi: American automobile major General Motors Monday launched the diesel version of its bestseller hatchback Beat at a price ranging between Rs.429,000 to Rs.545,000 (ex-showroom Delhi).

"We are confident that the all-new Beat diesel will prove to be a game changer for its segment," said Karl Slym, president and managing director, General Motors India.

According to the company, the car offers the mileage 24 km per litre.

The new version of the hatchback is equipped with Dual Over-Head Cam (DOHC) engine which comes with common rail fuel injection technology.

"The Beat Diesel's SMARTECH engine is complemented by a high torque transmission that offers smooth, effortless gear changes," the company said in a statement.

The car also features pro-vario assist featherlite electronic power steering (EPS) with human comfort technology that provides power steering assistance while parking and driving at low speed. 

"Its hydraulic clutch requires extremely low pedal effort. The Smart Engine and Clutch Protection Mode minimises clutch wear (and tear) while further improving fuel efficiency," the statement said. 

Currently the company offers a wide range of products in India including hatchbacks like Aveo, Aveo U-VA, Spark, Beat, sedans like Optra and Cruze and multi and sports utility vehicles like Captiva and Tavera.

Beat Diesel Features:

·                              ABS with Dual Airbags and high-strength steel body

·                              1.0 XSDE SMARTECH Common Rail Diesel engine

·                              Available in 3 Variant PS, LS & LT

·                              Automatic climate control

·                              Integrated Music System + Tilt Steering

·                              Superior torque delivery from very low engine RPMs for a peppy drive

·                              60:40 split-folding rear seat

·                              Ground Clearance of 175 mm for safety from pot holes and speed humps

 Beat Diesel Mileage: 24KMPL/ARAI Certified

 Beat Diesel Technical Specifications:

·                              936cc 3-Cylinders Diesel Engine

·                              Max Power: 62.50 PS

·                              Max Torque: 160 Nm/L

·                              Suspension Front: McPherson Strut type with Anti-roll Bar

·                              Suspension Rear: Compound Crank Type

·                              Gas filled front & rear Shock Absorbers

·                              Front Brakes: Disc and Rear: Drum

·                              165/65 R14 Tubeless Tyres

·                              Wheel: 14 x 4.5J Steel / Alloy on Top Variant

·                              Length: 3640 mm

·                              Width: 1595 mm

·                              Height: 1520 mm

·                              Ground Clearance: 175 mm

·                              Wheelbase: 2375 mm

·                              Weight: 1027 kg

 Beat Diesel Price in India: Ex-Showroom Prices (INR)

 Beat Diesel Delhi Price:

·                              PS: 4,29,490

·                              LS: 4,59,990

·                              LT: 4,99,990

·                              LT Optional: 5,45,990

Beat Diesel- unveiled in India- The Cheapest Diesel car in India.

With a plan to tap into the surging demand for diesel small cars, General Motors India (GMI) has launched a diesel model of the Chevrolet Beat small car. With introductory prices starting at Rs 4.29 lakh (Delhi, ex-showroom), this hatchback is among the cheapest diesel cars in the country.

The Beat diesel will compete with models such as the Tata Indica eV2 – the only diesel small car that is cheaper than itself at Rs 3.95 lakh – besides the Ford Figo and Maruti Suzuki's Swift and Ritz.

“We have launched the car nationally today. Though the market is a bit sluggish right now, we hope to sell up to 5,000 units in a month of the diesel Beat,” said Mr P. Balendran, Vice-President, GMI.

THREE VARIANTS

The new diesel Beat will be available in three variants, with prices stretching up to Rs 5.45 lakh. The top model features ABS and alloy wheels. The company claims that the new engine, which has been developed locally by GM's Bangalore-based technical centre, delivers a mileage of 24 kmpl on the Beat.

Powered by the smallest diesel engine in the market – the turbocharged 1 litre XSDE Smartech, the Beat diesel is expected to generate significant volumes for GMI. With 1,500 orders already in place, the company expects combined monthly sales of the petrol and diesel models to now touch 7,000 units.

In the industry, sales of diesel models have an around 80 per cent share wherever they are available, largely because of cheaper running costs since the Government-controlled diesel prices are much lower than petrol.

“We want to double the industry market growth. So if the industry is growing at 12-15 per cent, our sales will grow at 24 per cent,” Mr Karl Slym, President and MD, GMI said. Another official added that sales this year should cross 1.4 lakh units – it sold 1.1 lakh units in 2010.

The US-based manufacturer, which inaugurated a new engine plant at its Talegaon facility last year, is currently manufacturing around 6,000 diesel engines and 3,000 petrol engines a month. The company also has plans to start engine exports from the plant, while launching more diesel models of other cars in its range, an official said.

MORE OUTLETS SOON

GM, which plans to launch around six new products over the next two years, hopes to add 50 more sales outlets by year-end to its existing 250 dealerships. These will mostly be in smaller towns. An updated Tavera multi-utility vehicle will also be launched by end-2011.
TagsBeaCheapet diesel car in india, The best diesel car avilable in India, Beat diesel price, Diesel beat kerb w4eitht, Diesel Beat top speed.