Rare Good News?: Beat Prototypes Hit the Streets

MrMax · 08-06-2008, 11:35 PM

World's First Look at the Chevrolet Beat Prototype!

Seyth Miersma

We were disappointed to learn recently that the first generation of the Chevrolet Beat minicar wouldn’t be making it to the U.S., but that won’t stop us from getting excited to see the world’s first ever spy shots of the prototype car.

Seen here in full mule regalia, the Beat appears to hold quite closely to the size and shape of the cheeky concept car. The product planners have added a second set of doors to the car, which will certainly add a measure of utility, even if they do detract from the attractive concept silhouette somewhat. The car still keeps the high, boxy shape though, and should look immediately at home on the city streets and lanes of its future European home.
Details about the entire engine range remain shrouded for now, but we’re told that we can expect the new 1.2-liter, 16v DOHC S-TEC II engine to be involved. There’ll be an optional automatic gearbox as well, and we’d expect fuel economy numbers to be fantastic for the tiny vehicle.

The car should be ready to officially launch in 2010, making showroom debuts in early 2011. Scroll down to read the spy shooter’s own words. More photos on the way soon as well!

Pictures and more at the link...

http://www.nextautos.com/worlds-firs...6#gallery-9816

ARCANGEL · 08-06-2008, 11:42 PM

Ya know I am starting to loose faith in GM with all the japanese car companies offering cars with great mpg and small econo cars why they hell is this not coming here.

GMfan1111 · 08-07-2008, 12:05 AM

It's nice to see prototypes out and about but GM as usual dropped the ball and decided to not offer this car here in the U.S A small car like the beat would have been a formidable challenge to the honda fit and the orients other small cars

plane · 08-07-2008, 12:08 AM

U.S. crash standards are so much more rigorous than European NCAP standards.
Head and shoulders above.
NCAP isn't even in the game.

And NHTSA tests are so much more rigorous than the IIHS tests.
We all know this to be true.
Way better.
No comparison.

Thus it's crystal clear why the Beat is not coming to the U.S.

jcgable · 08-07-2008, 12:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by plane

U.S. crash standards are so much more rigorous than European NCAP standards.
Head and shoulders above.
NCAP isn't even in the game.

And NHTSA tests are so much more rigorous than the IIHS tests.
We all know this to be true.
Way better.
No comparison.

Thus it's crystal clear why the Beat is not coming to the U.S.

Easy or not, it was a blunder, and further insight that GM leadership doesn't get it (or didn't when that decision was made).

ausrutherford · 08-07-2008, 12:47 AM

Only one problem and its one BIG problem, NOT COMING HERE!!!!

johnstarnes · 08-07-2008, 12:56 AM

How we could be asked to vote on it, see it WIN, then watch it NOT be built to US standards is both mindboggling and disappointing to me.

ColinOpseth · 08-07-2008, 01:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by plane

U.S. crash standards are so much more rigorous than European NCAP standards.
Head and shoulders above.
NCAP isn't even in the game.

And NHTSA tests are so much more rigorous than the IIHS tests.
We all know this to be true.
Way better.
No comparison.

Thus it's crystal clear why the Beat is not coming to the U.S.

Nice try. Toyota and Honda didn't seem to have any problems. Or Smart. or BMW.

Way to let GM off the hook again.

As far as I'm concerned, this proves GM isn't serious about the US market unless it means selling a high-profit SUV.

mbukukanyau · 08-07-2008, 02:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnstarnes

How we could be asked to vote on it, see it WIN, then watch it NOT be built to US standards is both mindboggling and disappointing to me.

Exactly.

jbernie · 08-07-2008, 02:27 AM

The way the media treats GM sometimes I wouldn't be shocked too see them using one of these pics and saying it is the production look.

PAULSTS1 · 08-07-2008, 02:38 AM

If Rick Wagoner wanted to he could visit someone at the US DEPT OF TRANSPORTATION, and obtain a waiver based on an "Emergency" basis for a designated period so that the BEAT could be sold here. The Government would prefer to waive a regulation, than to have to "bail out GM."

t-rex · 08-07-2008, 03:18 AM

Anybody catch the CNBC Documentary? The scene where the reporter is sitting in a prototype being shaken on that huge magic-fingers jig... was clearly a B-segment five-door hatch, and it wasn't an Aveo. I couldn't get a long enough glimpse, but the C-pillar is what gave it away as something not currently in the GM portfolio. Methinks it's the five-door Beat/next-gen Aveo.

redimpss5 · 08-07-2008, 03:21 AM

I say beat it! I can buy a Jetta with a Diesel thats gets 55mpg. Why would I buy a covered go cart. Did you know that the weight limit inside a smart car is 550lbs? Let them figure out a diesel for the Colbalt, now I would buy that!

CaptainDan · 08-07-2008, 06:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PAULSTS1

If Rick Wagoner wanted to he could visit someone at the US DEPT OF TRANSPORTATION, and obtain a waiver based on an "Emergency" basis for a designated period so that the BEAT could be sold here. The Government would prefer to waive a regulation, than to have to "bail out GM."

GM should request permission to build an "unsafe" car? That's what it'll look like when the first lawsuit hits the court. The lawyers will be lined up around the block, dying to sue GM for selling a car that GM told the government didn't meet normal safety standards. Cha-CHING!

ByTheLake · 08-07-2008, 07:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by plane

U.S. crash standards are so much more rigorous than European NCAP standards.
Head and shoulders above.
NCAP isn't even in the game.

And NHTSA tests are so much more rigorous than the IIHS tests.
We all know this to be true.
Way better.
No comparison.

Thus it's crystal clear why the Beat is not coming to the U.S.

I'd really like to believe that some constraints outside of GM's control are preventing the Beat from coming to the US, but I'm tired of excuses.

GM has highly-paid top leaders to provide a vehicle strategy for North America. Other manufacturers can sell good small cars here - today. The Beat is EXACTLY the type of car GM needs to begin winning over the young crowd ... future Cadillac customers.

Why was the "triplet contest" promoted in North America if the strategy was to sell the car elsewhere?

I'm not buying ANY excuses for the Beat missing the North America market.

08-06-2008, 11:35 PM	#1 (permalink)
MrMax 3.9 Liter V6 Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 766	Rare Good News?: Beat Prototypes Hit the Streets World's First Look at the Chevrolet Beat Prototype! Seyth Miersma We were disappointed to learn recently that the first generation of the Chevrolet Beat minicar wouldn’t be making it to the U.S., but that won’t stop us from getting excited to see the world’s first ever spy shots of the prototype car. Seen here in full mule regalia, the Beat appears to hold quite closely to the size and shape of the cheeky concept car. The product planners have added a second set of doors to the car, which will certainly add a measure of utility, even if they do detract from the attractive concept silhouette somewhat. The car still keeps the high, boxy shape though, and should look immediately at home on the city streets and lanes of its future European home. Details about the entire engine range remain shrouded for now, but we’re told that we can expect the new 1.2-liter, 16v DOHC S-TEC II engine to be involved. There’ll be an optional automatic gearbox as well, and we’d expect fuel economy numbers to be fantastic for the tiny vehicle. The car should be ready to officially launch in 2010, making showroom debuts in early 2011. Scroll down to read the spy shooter’s own words. More photos on the way soon as well! Pictures and more at the link... http://www.nextautos.com/worlds-firs...6#gallery-9816 __________________

08-06-2008, 11:42 PM	#2 (permalink)
ARCANGEL 3.9 Liter V6 Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Manalapan N.J. Drives: 07 Black Cobalt SS/SC fully loaded with blue inser Posts: 948	Re: Rare Good News?: Beat Prototypes Hit the Streets Ya know I am starting to loose faith in GM with all the japanese car companies offering cars with great mpg and small econo cars why they hell is this not coming here. __________________ FLESH is TEMPERAL....SOUL is ETERNAL....

08-07-2008, 12:05 AM	#3 (permalink)
GMfan1111 6.0 Liter Vortec V8 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: in a undisclosed location somewhere in the metro detroit area Drives: 2001 Chevy Malibu LS Posts: 1,605	Re: Rare Good News?: Beat Prototypes Hit the Streets It's nice to see prototypes out and about but GM as usual dropped the ball and decided to not offer this car here in the U.S A small car like the beat would have been a formidable challenge to the honda fit and the orients other small cars __________________ The 100 Mpg Prius is Vaporware “The major difference between a thing that might go wrong and a thing that cannot possibly go wrong is that when a thing that cannot possibly go wrong goes wrong it usually turns out to be impossible to get at or repair” "A common mistake that people make when trying to design something completely foolproof is to underestimate the ingenuity of complete fools". - Douglas Adams - Current ride: 2001 Chevy Malibu LS (happy 95,000 miles )

08-07-2008, 12:08 AM	#4 (permalink)
plane 6.0 Liter LS2 V8 Join Date: May 2005 Location: Just right here Drives: 1980 'Vette Posts: 4,970	Re: Rare Good News?: Beat Prototypes Hit the Streets U.S. crash standards are so much more rigorous than European NCAP standards. Head and shoulders above. NCAP isn't even in the game. And NHTSA tests are so much more rigorous than the IIHS tests. We all know this to be true. Way better. No comparison. Thus it's crystal clear why the Beat is not coming to the U.S. __________________ Of all the properties which belong to honorable men, not one is so highly prized as that of character. Henry Clay

08-07-2008, 12:47 AM	#6 (permalink)
ausrutherford 5.3 Liter Vortec V8 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: South Carolina Drives: 2007 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 2007 Jeep Commander Posts: 1,290	Re: Rare Good News?: Beat Prototypes Hit the Streets Only one problem and its one BIG problem, NOT COMING HERE!!!! __________________ The Ford Indigo...The Best Ford Concept...EVER!!! With the New CAFE, Saleen and Shelby should team up with Ford. Free Tibet! Future Ride: 20?? Ford Fiesta SVT 5 door

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08-07-2008, 12:56 AM	#7 (permalink)
johnstarnes 5.3 Liter LS4 V8 Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Tampa Posts: 3,024	Re: Rare Good News?: Beat Prototypes Hit the Streets How we could be asked to vote on it, see it WIN, then watch it NOT be built to US standards is both mindboggling and disappointing to me. __________________ "In the time of your life, live --- so that in that wondrous time you shall not add to the misery and sorrow of the world, but shall smile to the infinite variety and mystery of it all." William Saroyan 1908-1981

08-07-2008, 02:27 AM	#10 (permalink)
jbernie 5.3 Liter Vortec V8 Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Colorado, USA Drives: 2006 Saab 9-3 Aero Posts: 1,405	Re: Rare Good News?: Beat Prototypes Hit the Streets The way the media treats GM sometimes I wouldn't be shocked too see them using one of these pics and saying it is the production look. __________________ Talk is cheap, sometimes it is on sale!

08-07-2008, 02:38 AM	#11 (permalink)
PAULSTS1 3.6 Liter V6 Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 1,180	Re: Rare Good News?: Beat Prototypes Hit the Streets If Rick Wagoner wanted to he could visit someone at the US DEPT OF TRANSPORTATION, and obtain a waiver based on an "Emergency" basis for a designated period so that the BEAT could be sold here. The Government would prefer to waive a regulation, than to have to "bail out GM." __________________ All I want for Christmas....

08-07-2008, 03:18 AM	#12 (permalink)
t-rex 7.0 Liter LS7 V8 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: New Orleans, Louisiana Drives: 1997 BMW 328i S Posts: 5,340	Re: Rare Good News?: Beat Prototypes Hit the Streets Anybody catch the CNBC Documentary? The scene where the reporter is sitting in a prototype being shaken on that huge magic-fingers jig... was clearly a B-segment five-door hatch, and it wasn't an Aveo. I couldn't get a long enough glimpse, but the C-pillar is what gave it away as something not currently in the GM portfolio. Methinks it's the five-door Beat/next-gen Aveo.

08-07-2008, 03:21 AM	#13 (permalink)
redimpss5 6.0 Liter Vortec V8 Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 1,627	Re: Rare Good News?: Beat Prototypes Hit the Streets I say beat it! I can buy a Jetta with a Diesel thats gets 55mpg. Why would I buy a covered go cart. Did you know that the weight limit inside a smart car is 550lbs? Let them figure out a diesel for the Colbalt, now I would buy that!

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