The Chevrolet Beat Activ Crossover has been spied running trials for the first time in India. Courtesy of Motor Vikatan, the pictures of the silver-coloured test mule have emerged on the internet yesterday as the publication’s reader Nagendran snapped the partially camouflaged crossover on the streets of Bengaluru.
General Motors has long been in the domestic market but its success compared to the relatively less experienced rivals is minimum. With the underwhelming response to the Sail twins, General Motors is pondering on models to specifically suit India rather than deriving them from Chinese cousins and re-badging.
In the affordable car segment, Chevrolet’s most popular model is arguably the Beat hatchback which received a minor refresh earlier this year with added safety package and two more colour options. The next generation Beat confirmed for 2017 was teased at a SIAM press conference in Delhi last September as the American firm looks to invigorate domestic sales.
The Chevrolet Beat Activ crossover concept, based on the upcoming Beat, is GM’s answer to the Hyundai i20 Active, Toyota Etios Cross and Fiat Avventura. Launched at the opening day of the 2016 Indian Auto Expo in February, the appealing new crossover will be endeavouring to attract first-time young buyers with its funky overall appearance.
The front fascia will comprise of a new signature dual-port grille sitting in the middle of larger elliptical headlamps stretching back to the front fenders and the fog lamps received roundish shape in the concept. The Beat Activ features the signature roof rails as well alongside sloping roofline, hatchback-alike tail gate at the rear with an integrated spoiler and side profile identical to the Sail duos. The interior is more likely to come with Chevrolet MyLink seven-inch infotainment system and colour-coded trim with trapezoidal air vents.
The test mule had no roof rails but it retained the traditional rear door handles placed unconventionally high. The only visual clue was the side profile which appears to have the same disappearing character line as the concept with slightly flared wheel arches and stacked out tail lamps.
The two engine options that could be available on the Beat Activ crossover are the 1.2-litre SMARTECH Petrol and a 1.0-litre SMARTECH Diesel from its hatchback sibling. The former is capable of pumping out 76.8 bhp of maximum power output and 106.5 Nm of peak torque whilst the diesel model is good enough to produce 56.3 bhp and 142.5 Nm of torque.
Both the motors transfer power to the front wheels through a five-speed manual gearbox. As GM confirmed that a compact version of the new generation Beat (possibly the Beat Essentia) is in the pipeline for India, the Activ crossover will be a welcoming addition to the struggling brand as well and could be launched in the later parts of 2017 or the beginning of 2018.
Chevrolet Beat Activ Crossover Image Gallery
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