Chevy Beat engine, transmission and performance
The Beat is powered by GM’s S-TEC II series of engines—a 4-cylinder, 16-valve 1199cc mill with a peak power output of 80.5PS@6200 rpm and peak torque of 108Nm@4400 rpm. This is the closest you get to the class leading power and torque figures of the Maruti Suzuki’s K12 engines which produce 85PS and 113Nm. Most people miss out on this bit, but the Beat has the most powerful engine of the lot in the new breed of 1.2-litre hatchbacks, next only to the MSIL’s K-series power plants (unless you wish to consider the Honda Jazz which is almost twice the price).
So how well does that power on the paper translate onto the road? Well, the Beat isn’t exactly a crackerjack of a car, but it does command respect in its immediate petrol neighbourhood inhabited by the likes of its compatriot Mr Figo, Mr Polo who is a German and Mr. Punto who is a handsome Italian. With a 0-100km/h sprint timing that hovers around the 15s mark, the Beat is slower only than the Swift and the Ritz 1.2 petrols, which share the same engine. It gets off the mark neatly, and builds the momentum without showing any worrisome signs of lethargy as long as you keep working with the gear shifter. The engine noise, which is a bit of a bother as you build rpms, gets surprisingly pronounced after 4500 rpm, intrudes the cabin freely, and doesn’t inspire you much to keep the throttle floored. Somewhere around the 5000 mark, the engine also shows some signs of reluctance if you hold on to the same gear, and calls for a shift. The revs build up nicely after 3000 rpm though, after which power flows through rather freely lending the Beat a rather nimble quartet of feet.
We didn’t face any notable issues within the city as regards driveability, although there are cars which have a better lower end torque and power delivery. The five-speed transmission system presents itself in the form of a relatively long-throw stick which is positioned slightly behind the ideal position for our liking. It’s adequately smooth to not annoy you, but nowhere close to the slick shift action of the Swift of the Honda Jazz. The Beat’s shifter is slightly notchy, nothing much to complain about though. If you have been driving for a fair bit, you would not find it worrisome at all. It’d have been better had the cute Chevy matched up with the best in class though.
All in all, it’s a good engine, mated with an average transmission. It’s a tad noisy and lacks the outright refinement that is a sought in a small city car like this. The acceleration and top speed performance is largely above the class average – which is a great thing, made even more impressive by the fact that it has the class-leading ARAI certified fuel efficiency figure of 18.6km/l.
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Chevrolet Beat Introduction
Chevrolet Beat Design and Styling
Chevy Beat engine, transmission and performance
Chevy Beat interiors and features
Chevy Beat Ride quality, NVH and Handling
Chevy Beat – Summing it Up
Chevy Beat Specifications