Indian Car Blog – Carazoo.com

Chevrolet Beat Electric Showcased

Chevrolet-Beat-Electric Vehicle
General Motors India on Thursday showcased the Chevrolet Beat Electric Vehicle (BEV) in a demo program in New Delhi. This particular Electric Beat is apart of the ongoing celebrations of World Environment Day and is brought to India to study the feasibility of electric vehicles in major metros.

The Chevrolet Beat Electric Vehicle is powered by a 300 cell lithium-ion battery with a total energy capacity of approximately 20 kWh. The 270 kg battery can power the Beat for at least 130 km under normal driving conditions. The liquid cooled battery can operate in temperatures ranging from approximately -20?to 45?, with charge times of less than 8 hours using a 240V outlet. Power from the battery is transferred to the drive wheels through a single speed drive unit and an electric motor producing approximately 45kW of power. The battery pack is adopted from the Chevrolet Volt which in its concept form was shown at the Auto Expo in New Delhi last year.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Karl Slym, President & Managing Director, General Motors India said, “General Motors is committed to providing customers around the world with electrification technologies that will reduce their fuel consumption, helping them save money. GM India will lead in this ‘tailored for India’ demo program for battery electric technology, with Chevrolet Beat chosen as the best way to evaluate the technology. We are delighted that Chevrolet selected India as an important market to test battery electric technology, while recognizing the capabilities of our engineering team to help identify ways to make this technology more affordable.”

This demonstration project is the latest example of GM’s commitment to be a leader in the development of vehicle electrification technologies. GM has already announced demonstration programs in Korea, China and Germany. The company is committed to delivering customers around the world with electrification solutions that best fit their lives, including the industry’s first extended-range electric vehicles: Chevrolet Volt and Opel Ampera.

Learnings from this demonstration fleet, and others around the world, will strengthen GM’s core vehicle electrification competencies including batteries, electric motors and power electronic and controls, and charging. GM India is already offering a range of alternate fuel vehicles including Chevrolet Beat LPG, Chevrolet Spark LPG and Chevrolet Aveo CNG to its valued customers.

GM has already established battery leadership. It has one of the most advanced battery labs in the world at its Technical Center in Warren, Michigan in the United States and will be opening a new battery lab in China soon.

Chevrolet-Beat-Electric-2

The year 2011 marks the completion of 100 years of Chevrolet’s successful operations globally. With a wide array of products and services, Chevrolet has brought unmatched product quality and unparalleled performance to the customers around the world. Inspirational designs, superior technology and innovative programs have made Chevrolet one of the most-loved and sought after brand worldwide. Continuing its journey, Chevrolet plans to launch several new products and services for the global audience, relevant to the respective markets and customer preferences.

It must be recalled that GM had tied up with REVA in 2009 for the development of Spark Electric Vehicle. A demo version of the car was also featured in the 2010 Auto Expo held in new Delhi. But the programme collapsed midway as Mahindra acquired REVA last year and GM severed ties and said it will pursue an internal EV program which the Beat EV is the result of.

posted by carazooblog @ Friday, June 24th, 2011 Comments Off links to this post

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February 11, 2011

Chevrolet Beat LPG launched at Rs. 4.10 lakh

Mr.-Karl-SlymPresident-Managing-Director-GM-with-the-New-Beat-LPG
General Motors launched the Chevrolet Beat LPG in two variants, LS and LT priced at INR 4.10 Lakhs to INR 4.53 Lakhs, Ex-Showroom Mumbai. The LPG Beat compact car is equipped with the new locally developed, state-of-the-art SMARTECH engine. GMI President & Managing Director Karl Slym presided the function.

Speaking on the occasion, Karl Slym said, “India is a key market for General Motors and our Chevrolet brand. We are focused on leveraging our unmatched resources to create value for our local customers in all areas, including price, fuel efficiency, performance, safety, styling, reliability and other product attributes. The Beat LPG and the SMARTECH engine hold the promise.”

The environmentally friendly Chevrolet Beat LPG features next-generation / advanced LPG technology with multi-point sequential injection that provides a smooth transition between petrol and LPG with no loss in power, jerking or backfire. It is the first vehicle in India to use High Pressure LPG Pipes made of High Strength Nylon material, which has less weight, no chance of inside/outside corrosion throughout its life with better routing control and no kinking effects at bends. It generates impressive power of 80.04 PS @ 6400 rpm and torque of 103.8 Nm @ 4400 rpm in LPG mode for spirited driving and best-in-class performance of 13.29 km/l. The Beat has a range of 349 kilometres on LPG alone and 1000 kilometres on LPG and gasoline combined.

Keeping in mind customers’ safety as of paramount importance, the LPG kit parts are designed, installed and validated to meet the crash requirement in the case of any collision. The kit installation meets the stringent safety norms beyond the statutory requirements. The LPG kit fits snugly in the engine compartment, with no compromises on interior space. A sensor-based button allows users to conveniently go from LPG to petrol and back. The Beat automatically shifts to petrol when the LPG is depleted.

Two versions of the LPG Beat – the LS and LT – are offered. Both come with the same industry-first three-year/100,000-kilometre warranty as the petrol version and offer the lowest service/maintenance/parts cost for three years/45,000 kilometres.

With its best-in-class design and performance, the Chevrolet Beat has received an overwhelming response from consumers. Despite being in the market for lesser than a year, the Beat finished second in the Premium Compact Car segment against stiff competition in the prestigious India Automotive Initial Quality Study by J.D. Power Asia Pacific in December.

SMARTECH ENGINE

The new 1.2-litre SMARTECH engine was developed by the GM Technical Centre-India in Bangalore in cooperation with GM’s new powertrain facility in Talegaon for Indian driving and climatic conditions. It will power a range of new models offered by GM in India.

Aluminum alloy cylinder heads, an optimized cylinder block and lightweight pistons decrease weight and maximize fuel economy. An innovative rocker-less DOHC cam shaft, long runner plastic intake manifold and lightweight crank shaft with eight balancer weights and low tension rings further improve the engine’s efficiency.

The use of the maintenance-free silent IT timing chain drive system reduces noise, vibration and harshness. Durability is ensured through the application of an epoxy coating on the cylinder block and anti-corrosion coating on cam cover baffles, and the use of stainless steel core plugs and bay to bay ventilation. Extensive testing and validation in India were carried out to ensure top-of-the-line performance.

“Our two new products reiterate GM India’s commitment to becoming a leader in the introduction of environmentally friendly and technologically efficient vehicles and engines,” said Slym. “Our vehicles also demonstrate our commitment to fully leverage our resources in India to offer customers nationwide new products that meet their unique needs,” Slym added.

posted by carazooblog @ Friday, February 11th, 2011 Comments Off links to this post

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January 31, 2011

Chevrolet Beat LPG to be launched next week, Diesel Beat to follow in June-July

Chevrolet-Beat-LPG-1
Last week, General Motors launched the designed-and-made-in-India 1.2 Liter SMARTECH petrol engine for the Chevrolet Beat, and as upbeat as Karl Slym was, he announced quite a few things about the plans and upcoming launches of the company.

Next week, GM India will be launching the LPG variant of the very popular Chevrolet Beat. The car will be prices slightly higher than the petrol Beat. And since the petrol prices seem to be in a hurry to reach Rs 100/litre mark, the LPG petrol, with its excellent fuel mileage, might just become the best bet in the market.

The LPG Beat will be a dual fuel car, much similar to the Maruti WagonR Duo, which will make it possible for the buyers to switch between petrol and LPG. General Motors is also planning to launch the diesel engines Chevrolet Beat sometime between June and July 2011. GM is not saying anything about the engine specifications of the Beat diesel, but we expect it to be a sub one liter three cylinder CRDI unit. The Beat diesel will cost an additional INR 50,000 premium over the petrol version.

Chevrolet-Beat-LPG-2

Apart from these two major launches, General Motors is also expected to unveil an electric vehicle for India come April 2011 and a smaller SUV sitting under the Chevrolet Captiva SUV. The smaller SUV would be competing with the recently launched Tata Aria and the upcoming Mahindra W210 World SUV.

All these while, we have been talking about the impending launch of the Volt and the Chevrolet Camaro. Although the Chevrolet Volt has been shelved for the Indian market, hope lives for the muscle car Camaro.

General Motors India is planning to launch at least six new car models with 14 fuel variants in the next two years and this would in all probability include the Sonic Sedan and Hatchback duo to replace the Chevrolet Aveo and U-VA respectively. So in the coming years, we can expect a lot of action from the American car maker.

Chevrolet-Beat-LPG-3

posted by carazooblog @ Monday, January 31st, 2011 Comments Off links to this post

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November 23, 2010

General Motors’ Big Indian Plans

CHEVY-ORLANDO
General Motors India, the Indian subsidiary of General Motors, has been doing well recently. Come 2011 and we would see a whole lot of new Chevy vehicles hitting Indian roads. When we say a whole lot, we mean around 6-7 launches in the next two years.

Speaking about launches slated in the next couple of years, Chevy plans to bring in two Light Commercial Vehicles, one in a pickup avatar and the other is a van. Then there is a hatchback (read Chevy Sail Hatchback), a sedan (read Chevy Sail sedan), a small car and Orlando SUV. Since General Motors India belives in 90 per cent localization of parts is critical to its success in an ever growing and fiercely competitive market like India, the possibility of the all-new Aveo and big sister brand cars coming here have been completely ruled out for the moment.

Chevrolet-Sail-Hatchback-1

But that’s not where the entire action lies. General Motors India in an aggressive bid to take the Indian market by storm has already readied its plan and strategy. A part of that strategy is the launch of all-new Chevy Tavera, Diesel and LPG Beats and an electric small car. The All-new face lifted Chevy Tavera comes with a BS IV compliant 2-Litre common rail turbodiesel engine producing 120bhp engine sourced from ICML. GMI will showcase an all new Chevrolet Electric mini-car in April 2011, standing firm on their commitment to have more environmentally friendly products. As reported earlier, General Motors India is all set to launch the LPG version of the Beat in January 2011.

2010-Chevrolet-Sail

Diesel and LPG Beats and a electric small car. As reported earlier, General Motors India is all set to launch the LPG version of the Beat in January 2011.

Just like Chevrolet’s Spark LPG, this little Chevrolet Beat also would be equipped with dual-fuel engine, which the customers also have been waiting anxiously. GM has already geared up for mass production of these LPG Beats. Chevrolet has really turned things around for the better with their 3 Year Chevrolet Promise, which offers zero-headache maintenance for the Chevrolet small car range.

General Motors India will take the game a notch higher with the launch of the Diesel Beat as well. Expected to be launched probably by March 2011, the diesel Chevy Beat will be powered by a one litre, 3-Cylinder common-rail turbocharged engine sourced from the Fiat-GM uniJet (JTD) engine range that produces about 65 bhp.

Chevrolet_Beat_Green

The production of these diesel engines along with petrol engines will start in their newly inaugurated Talegaon Flexi-Line powertrain plant. With the opening of the new flexi-engine line, General Motors can produce a mix-and-match of whatever type of engine they want in the numbers they would like. At the moment GMI will be producing 1.6Lakh engines but have an additional capacity of 1.4Lakh engines, should the need arise to ramp up the production. GMI plans to use this engine facility as an export base for small new diesel engines since it is the only facility in the world, which will manufacture the above-mentioned variant of the JTD engine. Post-expansion, GMI should be in a position to manufacture engines for three lakh cars per annum in this facility.

General Motors India now can also boast of a sales network that is growing day in and day out. General Motors India is here to stay as they are growing the sales network from 80 to 240 as a back up to disburse more and more Chevy cars that are produced.

posted by carazooblog @ Tuesday, November 23rd, 2010 Comments Off links to this post

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July 8, 2010

LPG Beat – Spotted Near Pune-Mumbai Highway

Chevrolet-Beat-LPG-
Remember the last time we told you about the upcoming LPG Beat from General Motors? Now, we bring to you some spy pictures of the revolutionary car shot by our friends at Rush Lane. Chevrolet Beat LPG test vehicle for the ARAI was spotted recently on the Mumbai-Pune highway. Out of the two Chevy Beats spotted, one was the top end LT variant and the other one was a base variant Beat. Both the cars sported ‘LPG Compliance Plates’.

The Chevrolet Beat LPG has been doing its test rounds for quite some time now, and we have had multiple sightings of the car in and around Pune at regular intervals. And it is quite apparent from the pictures that the Chevrolet Beat LPG was under homologation test. This directly leads us to believe that the green car would be launched pretty soon.

Chevrolet-Beat-LPG-2

This wise move from General Motors India comes at just the right moment, when the entire country is mourning the increase in fuel prices. And even though diesel is still cheaper than petrol, it may not remain so for a very long time now. The call of the moment is LPG, CNG and electric vehicles. Agreed that LPG prices have shot up too, but it still makes much more sense when compared with petrol or diesel.

After the Spark LPG, the Chevrolet Beat would be GM India’s second small car to be fitted with an LPG kit. No doubt that the Beat is doing extremely well in the Indian marketplace, but it has been much of an underdog in a market which is currently being ruled by cars like Maruti Suzuki Swift and the Ford Figo. The company hopes to boost the sales of the Beat by launching the LPG version.

Chevrolet-Beat-LPG-3

Since General Motors has not launched the Beat in diesel version, it is losing out big time to its competitors. And now that the launch of the Nissan Micra is also around the corner, GM India needs to take a giant leap and launch the Beat in LPG and diesel variants soon. The LPG Beat is likely to be launched by October and the Beat diesel would be introduced by January 2011.

Image Source: RushLane

posted by carazooblog @ Thursday, July 8th, 2010 Comments Off links to this post

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May 27, 2010

After Chevrolet Aveo CNG, Beat Takes The Green Route

gm-confirms-Chevrolet-Spark
Pollution levels are pretty high in India and it is becoming more of a Frankenstein by each passing day. But the future is not all that bleak, because we have some car manufacturers who are showing us the beacon of light. One among them is General Motors who has come forward with its eco-friendly hybrid cars to fight the pollution in the Indian cities.

About two weeks back we reported about the launch of the Chevrolet Aveo CNG and now, you can expect to see an LPG variant of the Chevrolet Beat. Now, the Beat is already doing well in the Indian hatchback segment, and this eco friendly option will only fuel the sales of the car.

There are an increasing number of people who prefer to have a cheaper and environmental friendly mode of transportation and fix after market LPG kits in their cars. But LPG is more corrosive than petrol and has a negative effect on the car’s engine which is primarily meant for use with petrol as the fuel. Over the years, this has acted as a major deterrent for after market LPG kits. But it is a different story when it comes to factory fitted LPG kits. They perform much optimally when they are factory fitted.

Also, factory fitted kits have the advantage of having undergone a number of safety procedures. And even the engines are made LPG compatible with added lubrication or tougher engine parts to endure the higher stresses of LPG. Another glitch with after market LPG kits is that you lose the manufacturers warranty if you install it within the warranty period. Another major problem is that you can not be sure about the authenticity of the kit you are buying, because there are a number of Chinese and Indian made counterfeit after market LPG kits of popular brands like Lovato are present in the market.

General Motors had recently launched the LPG variant Chevrolet Spark, which is getting a very good response from the Indian new car buyers. And based on these results, GM is going ahead with an LPG variant of Beat. The LPG Beat will be available in showrooms by the end of 2010.

A company official said, “We are looking to launch the LPG version of Beat by the end of this year.”

LPG Kit

“Our strategy is to have high fuel efficiency in all our vehicles in the first place. Then we will be introducing vehicles powered by (alternative) fuels like CNG and LPG, besides having different power-trains and different displacements,” General Motors India (GMI) prez and managing director Karl Slym was quoted as saying to reporters earlier. He had also said, “Launch of the LPG mode reiterates Chevrolet’s vision of moving towards environment friendly alternative fuels.”