Chevrolet Beat facelift test mule spotted in India

Come 2014 and General Motors (GM) are determined to up the ante in India with the launch of facelifted version of their best selling model in India 'Chevrolet Beat'. Next year’s Indian Auto Expo is a possible launch venue for the compact car that’s available in petrol, CNG and diesel engine options. A test mule of the Chevrolet Beat has been spotted in India.

New Front Fascia of Beat

GM has been suffering from the recent slump of sales in Indian market and are desperate to get back into the race and the most effective way of to make an impact is by revamping their best selling model 'Beat'.

GM made its best effort to hide the new features in the car camouflaging probably the whole car but the car gurus are predicting the car to resemble the newly launched South African version. While the US version of the 2014 Beat gains automatic headlamps and a CVT automatic gearbox, the South African version shows a larger number of cosmetic changes.

New Rear End of Beat

Since the Beat is due for a major facelift in India, the South African model is a better bet for the Indian market. Many of the following changes, already available on the South African model, are likely to make it to the Indian version of the 2014 Chevrolet Beat facelift,

• Redesigned front and rear bumpers
• New headlamps
• Revised front grille
• ORVMs with integrated turn indicators
• Redesigned alloy wheels
• Refreshed tail lamps and side skirts
• Revised exhaust tip
• Chromed hatch handle
• Rear roof spoiler
• Optional decals for bonnet, roof, roof spoiler and hatch lid
• New seat fabric
• Refreshed center console

Under the hood, status quo could be maintained. The 1.2 liter-80 PS petrol engine and the 936cc-triple cylinder turbo diesel engines are likely to be carried over. The petrol engine also gets an LPG dual fuel option. All three engines are tried and tested units in the Indian market.

Side view of Beat

The automatic transmission is finally trending in the young Indian market and the big dogs in the industry are bringing the option into their major selling models and the CVT option wont hurt much for GM India along with the standard 5-speed option. After the launch of the Sail U-VA hatchback, sales of the Beat have taken a beating. The facelifted model could turn things around for this funky looking car whose design evokes an equal share of grins and groans.