Chevrolet to bring Beat Diesel in July

The Indian unit of the US based leading car maker General Motors is in the final preparations for launching the much anticipated Chevrolet Beat diesel in the Indian market. The car will be launched in the country in the month of July this year. The all new Chevrolet Beat is believed to be launched with a 1.0L diesel engine, delivering a peak power of 57bhp along with a peak torque of 140Nm. The car is claimed to be delivering a segment leading fuel-economy of 24 kmpl.

The Chevrolet Beat diesel variant is expected to be launched in the price range of Rs 4.5 to 5.5 lakh, where it will be competing with the likes of Ford Figo, Volkswagen Polo, Nissan Micra, Maruti Swift and Ritz, etc. The Beat model is already available in petrol variant in the country, and the launch of a diesel variant will enable the car to compete more promptly with rivals.

Besides a new diesel engine, the car is expected to be similar to its petrol counterpart in features and design. The new Beat is expected to come installed with a VGT (Variable Geometry Turbocharger), delivering better power and torque figures.

Chevrolet Beat EV could be exhibited on June 5

IAB broke the news of GM India intending to showcase the Chevrolet Beat EV to India earlier this year. In fact back in May 28, 2010, we discussed how the Beat EV will be a highly suitable replacement for the defunct Spark EV project. We also were the first to confirm that the Opel Insignia wouldn’t be launched in India. Now Financial Chronicle has more information to add. They are quoting a top official discussing plans with the EV.

General Motors India President and MD Karl Slym informs that We will be showcasing a electric mini-car in June. This car has been developed in the US and is meant for a global audience. (Launching the car) will depend on feedback from our customers here when we will unveil it. If we decide to produce and launch it in India, we can use the Talegaon facility for that purpose.

The Bangalore engineering facility has played a major role in the development of the Beat EV. On our visit to the center last year, we were told that engineers in that building had helped their American counterparts in developing components for the Volt, a car often referred to as the next generation automobile.

Financial Chronicle adds that the Beat EV is likely to be unveiled on June 5, which coincides with World Environment Day. This is the best day for showcasing any tree-hugging tool. This project has no connection with the Spark EV project it embarked with REVA last year. The Beat EV will sport a laptop-type Li-Ion battery pack.

New Chevrolet Beat Diesel

As announced by the company, Chevrolet India, has had made inroads in the Indian luxury vehicles market and has now introduced their all new Beat Diesel.  The Diesel Beat is expected to come with XSDE, i.e., Extra Smart Diesel Engine and is predicted to get underway in June 2011.  Currently being tested by Chevrolet India, Beat Diesel will have a 1.0 liter 3 cylinder engine that is expected to generate 57 PS power and 145 Nm torque.

At present, other auto manufacturing companies are using the 4 cylinder from which the 3 cylinder is derived.   The 4 cylinder multi jet engine is used in vehicles like Swift, Punto, Fiat Linea and Tata Indica.  The Chevrolet Beat Diesel is predicted to beat all rival vehicles in this category.  With an ex showroom price tag of around Rs 4 – 4.6-lakh, the new Chevrolet Beat is one car to keep your eye out for hopefully in the very near future.

Chevrolet unveils the all new Chevrolet Cruze

Chevrolet has launched their latest model—the new Chevrolet Cruze in the Indian market. The Chevrolet Cruz will be available in three variants– LT, LTZ & LTZ AT and in colors of Sandrift Grey and Switch Blade Silver.

The new Cruze comes with Jet Black Interiors and is a perfect blend of Performance and luxury.

Karl Slym , President & Managing Director, General Motors India said, “The new Cruze combines powerful performance with jet-black interiors that redefine luxury.”

He said further, “The introduction of the new Chevrolet Cruze is a testament to the importance that GM India attaches to maximize customer satisfaction.”

At GM India, we always try to work on the feedback we receive from our customers. We have made some exciting changes in the Cruze to make it even more alluring and attractive.”

These cars will be available across all Chevrolet dealers in India. The new Chevrolet Cruze offers a host of features and specifications depending on the models.

These include Audio Controls on Steering Wheels, Bluetooth connectivity in audio system, USB Port for audio system, Automatic Climate Control, Automatic inside rear view mirror and Illuminated vanity mirror.

At the same time, it would be coming with, advanced 6 speed automatic transmission, Rear seat with new seat cushion design, Air Conditioner, Power Windows, Power Steering, Anti-Lock Braking System, Central Locking, Air-Bags, Child Safety Locks, Traction Control and many others.

New Chevrolet Malibu to appear on Facebook, iPads and iPhones

Chevrolet will debut its new Malibu sedan simultaneously on its Facebook page, Apple's iPads and iPhones and in-person at the Shanghai Auto Show on April 18.

After the new Malibu is revealed, Chevy will then take questions about the new 'Bu on Twitter -- as long as those questions contain the #MalibuReveal hashtag.

The social media-minded approach is a bit different for Chevrolet and its parent company, General Motors, said David Darovitz, a GM spokesman.

FacebookMalibu "This is the first time we've had a global strategy that is inclusive of social networking platforms around the world, as well as streaming video worldwide, and streaming video iPads and iPhones, all in addition to the in-person reveal in China and traditional media outreach we've always used," Darovitz said.

"I can't tell you just how we'll stream to iPads and iPhones, because we don't want our competitors to know yet, but it won't require its own app."

The motive for the social networking shift -- simply the popularity of sites and apps such as Facebook and Twitter, he said.

"Social networking gives us a way to reach a lot of people, so that's one element and this car is a global car too," Darovitz said. "This is all part of a long-term plan for us."

The new Malibu is set to hit dealers next year as a 2013 model and it will be sold in about 100 countries on six continents, he said.

Last year, Chevrolet sold 4.26 million vehicles globally and eight of its top 10–selling markets were emerging markets -- Brazil, China, Uzbekistan, Mexico, Russia, India, Argentina and Colombia.

2013-Malibu-LTZ-009 The company also offered up a photo on Facebook of the new Malibu's taillight, which takes cues from the Camaro.

"We'll be posting more photos of the new Malibu as we get closer to the reveal," Darovitz said. "Our Facebook page will be pretty active before and after Shanghai."

Chevy announced the Malibu's Facebook/iOS/Shanghai reveal on Thursday morning in a teaser video on YouTube that shows exterior designer Dan Gifford sketching the car on a tablet computer, and later spinning a Star Wars-esque hologram depicting the sedan's silhouette.

After Shanghai, the 2013 Malibu will be shown off stateside at the New York Auto Show, which runs from April 22 to May 1.

The unveiling of the new sedan will take place on April 18 at 5:30 p.m. PDT, 8:30 p.m. EDT and 8:30 a.m. on April 19 in China.

Hyundai likely to introduce Verna RB in India next month

Hyundai Motors Indian limited, the second largest car maker and the largest car exporter in the Indian market, is speculated to roll-out its Verna RB in the Indian market next month. The car will be shelved in the C+ segment where it will be taking on the likes of Honda City, Maruti SX4, Ford Fiesta, Chevrolet Optra Magnum etc.

As per recent media reports, the all new Verna RB will be rolled-out in four different engine options including 2 petrol versions and two diesel versions. The petrol version of the car will be rolled-out in a 1.4L and a 1.6L version. The 1.4L petrol version will be delivering a peak power of 106 bhp along with a peak torque of 135 Nm. On the other hand, the 1.6L version of the car will deliver a peak power of 122 bhp along with a peak torque of 156 Nm.

The diesel version of the Hyundai Verna RB will be available in a 1.4L and a 1.6L version. The 1.4L diesel version will be delivering a peak power of 90 bhp with 224 Nm torque. On the other hand, the 1.6L diesel version of the car will be generating a peak power of 126 bhp with 265 Nm of peak torque.

Its the swing time for corporate honchos

The corporate cars of Mumbai and Pune are readying to battle for top honours when the final leg of the multi-city The Economic Times Leaders Challenge Tour, presented by Sahara India Pariwar in association with Chevrolet Captiva, tees off at the enchanting Aamby Valley Golf Club on Saturday.

Around 80 top corporate honchos from the two cities are expected to take part in the event. Some of the leading names who will be seen treading the greens and fairways on Saturday include Shashi Kiran Shetty (chairman & MD, All Cargo Global Logistics), Dinesh Lal (Group Director India, Maersk India Pvt Ltd), Jaideep Bhattacharya (Group President and CMO, UTI AMC Ltd), Kuldip Kaura (CEO & MD, ACC Ltd), R Swaminathan (MD, Essar Group), Tashwinder Singh (MD, Citibank), Rudratej Singh (Global Brand Director, Hindustan Unilever Ltd) and Deepak Khosla (President, SAARC, Patni Computer Systems Ltd) amongst others.

The quest for this year's 'Best Corporate Golfer' was launched in Bangalore and traveled to Hyderabad, Delhi and Kolkata before the western leg. The grand finale is scheduled to be held at Melbourne in Australia. Played in a unique Peoria format, as many as four golfers from each venue qualify for the grand finale that includes the individual winners and runners-up in the 0-17 handicap category and 18-plus handicap category, respectively.

The grand finale of the Tour is sponsored by Tourism Victoria. The Tour is co-sponsored by Ballantine's, Federique Constant and Shri Ramswaroop Memorial Group of Professional Colleges while Oberoi Hotels & Resorts and Trident Hotels are the hospitality partners, Singapore Airlines are the airline partner and ColorPlus the clothing partner. Qua have joined the elite bandwagon as thirst quenchers for the final leg. The event is managed by Tiger Sports Marketing.