The Speedo-tacho combo too is a one of a kind unit. While the analogue Speedo is housed within a regulation barrel, to its right you have a space-age tacho cum digital Muti-information display. Trapezoidal in shape and done in a neat aluminium finish, the digital display unit has large black recesses, some of which are information lights as well. It looks damn cool when lit up, and invariably makes people who see it for the first time say nice things about it. Some may think of it as too toy-ish and wouldn’t probably want such a thing in their car, but they would find it to be novel and interesting nonetheless. Unfortunately the digital MID doesn’t have a distance to dry or average fuel consumption display. Most new cars have that functionality, and it’s pretty handy too. With that sort of a funky display, we wish the Beat too had it.
In the centre you have a nicely sorted out centre console with an integrated audio system. Easy to access and easy to understand with large knobs for convenient operation while driving. The top of the line LT variant comes with an integrated climate control system, which has a separate display unit for it, and looks rather cool with its bright blue colour peeping through the black polycarbonate screen. The three spoke steering wheel with its aluminium finish spokes looks very upmarket, is tilt adjustable, and brings the speedo and tacho units down along with it as you tilt it down. We wouldn’t have minded steering wheel mounted audio controls for such a jazzy cabin. The quality of plastics is generally quite high – the Beat would surprise you with its interior quality and top-notch finish if you have not experienced it earlier.
The dashboard is expansive, and is done up in a single colour. It’s relatively high and covers a huge area, giving the beat’s cockpit the feel of a big car. Although, the relatively high position of the dash isn’t very conducive for the visibility of the road ahead, and should bother short drivers a little bit. There are cubbyholes all around including a small recess above the medium sized glove box, one Kangaroo-like pocket under the centre console, a small tray below it, two cup holders behind the tray, and then there is place to hold a one-litre bottle each in the door map-pockets. For people whose thirst won’t be quenched even with that many bottles, there is another space for one right behind the hand brake. For other things, there is small coin cup on the right hand side of the steering wheel, a glares compartment above the door on the driver’s side and a small place above the centre console to put your wallet or cellphone. There is a fake sensor at the end of the dashboard towards the windscreen, which may get you intrigued – doesn’t serve any purpose though.
The front seats of the Beat are supportive and comfortably firm, if a little narrow. I have been putting on a bit of weight of late, but still am not too huge. I could feel my behind almost covering the bolstering at the bottom. Slightly wider seats would have been better.
There is sufficient space at the rear too, as regards legroom. The Beat doesn’t feel cramped in terms of knee-room, but the small size of the rear window makes the cabin look very gloomy, dark, and cramped. Even the width of the rear bench isn’t too appreciable, and it’s next to impossible to seat three in the backseat. The seats are comfortable though, and are done in good quality fabric, which doesn’t look dirty even after taking a lot of abuse.
The Beat’s cabin is sure to throw a pleasant surprise at you if you have not seen it before. Just like the exterior, the interior too is funky, has a character of its own and refuses to lose its identity in a swarm of functional, faceless cabins. The good thing is that even after being bold and experimental in terms of aesthetics, the beat’s cabin remains highly functional and ergonomic.
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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