Filed under: MPG, Chevrolet, New York Auto Show
New York Auto Show: Chevy Beat Concept
Click on the photo for a high res gallery of the Beat
The Vertigo Green Chevrolet Beat three door hatchback is meant to evoke a micro version of the import tuner cars popularized by movies like the Fast and the Furious. With a narrower more swept back rendition of the new Chevrolet grille design than the Groove concept, the whole car looks like it's been swept back by the wind as it flys down the road. Like it's partners the Groove and Trax, the rear axle pushed back as far as possible to maximize interior space. The door handles are hidden in the trailing edge of the b-pillar but the brake calipers show off their body matching paint through the 17 inch wheels. The new GM global mini-car platform is motivated by a turbocharged 1.2L engine. The press release is after the jump.
Related:
Update: AutoblogGreen's photos of the three concepts from the NY Auto Show:
- New York Auto Show: Chevy Trax live reveal photos
- New York Auto Show: Chevy Groove live reveal photos
- New York Auto Show: Chevy Beat live reveal photos
Chevrolet Beat Concept: Micro Import Tuner
NEW YORK – Injo Kim was inspired by everyday heroes when he led the team that designed the Chevrolet Beat concept, which debuts today at the New York Auto Show.
"Every morning when you wake up, you yearn to be a hero that day," said Kim, assistant manager of the minicar exterior design team at GM's Design Center in Inchon, South Korea. And in Kim's mind, that hero is driving the Beat, Chevrolet's concept interpretation of a micro import tuner that's "simple, free and casual, with a strong heart."
The Chevrolet Beat is a front-wheel-drive, three-door hatchback wrapped in a bright Vertigo Green exterior finish that exudes energy and extends into the interior. The overall mood of the exterior and interior design is that of a high-performance, high-tech micro tuner car, with fascias, rocker panels, lamps and wheels enhanced for personalization, a strong trend among buyers in this market.
The Beat exterior lines convey speed, with a fast, dramatic, sloping rake from the top of the rear spoiler down to the hood, and elongated front LED headlamps that seem to extend from the base of the twin-port grille to the A-pillar. Integrated door handles set flush within the B-pillar give the doors a clean, uncluttered look. Big, bold, 17-inch wheels are pushed to the corners, and brake calipers in matching Vertigo Green provide a dash of drama at the wheels. The rear fascia carries Chevrolet's trademark twin taillamps; these LED lamps are set vertically, extending just under the rear glass.
The high energy continues inside the Tachyon Black/Titanium interior with a wraparound dash in Vertigo Green, and a dashboard that features color-coordinated fabric. The green is further pulled through with contrasting stitching on the fabric and mesh seats. The black headliner features fiber-optic lights that create a "star" effect.
Young buyers expect technology, and the Beat delivers, with a center stack that has a pop-up feature. When pushed up, the door reveals a navigation system and when pushed down it reveals a useful center storage compartment. The premium Alpine sound system features six speakers and a trunk-mounted subwoofer.
"The sound system and the pop-up juke box will always make you the life of the party," said Sungtae Baek, interior designer for the Chevrolet Beat.
Keeping the Beat on the move is a 1.2-liter turbocharged gas engine mated to an automatic transmission.
NEW YORK – Injo Kim was inspired by everyday heroes when he led the team that designed the Chevrolet Beat concept, which debuts today at the New York Auto Show.
"Every morning when you wake up, you yearn to be a hero that day," said Kim, assistant manager of the minicar exterior design team at GM's Design Center in Inchon, South Korea. And in Kim's mind, that hero is driving the Beat, Chevrolet's concept interpretation of a micro import tuner that's "simple, free and casual, with a strong heart."
The Chevrolet Beat is a front-wheel-drive, three-door hatchback wrapped in a bright Vertigo Green exterior finish that exudes energy and extends into the interior. The overall mood of the exterior and interior design is that of a high-performance, high-tech micro tuner car, with fascias, rocker panels, lamps and wheels enhanced for personalization, a strong trend among buyers in this market.
The Beat exterior lines convey speed, with a fast, dramatic, sloping rake from the top of the rear spoiler down to the hood, and elongated front LED headlamps that seem to extend from the base of the twin-port grille to the A-pillar. Integrated door handles set flush within the B-pillar give the doors a clean, uncluttered look. Big, bold, 17-inch wheels are pushed to the corners, and brake calipers in matching Vertigo Green provide a dash of drama at the wheels. The rear fascia carries Chevrolet's trademark twin taillamps; these LED lamps are set vertically, extending just under the rear glass.
The high energy continues inside the Tachyon Black/Titanium interior with a wraparound dash in Vertigo Green, and a dashboard that features color-coordinated fabric. The green is further pulled through with contrasting stitching on the fabric and mesh seats. The black headliner features fiber-optic lights that create a "star" effect.
Young buyers expect technology, and the Beat delivers, with a center stack that has a pop-up feature. When pushed up, the door reveals a navigation system and when pushed down it reveals a useful center storage compartment. The premium Alpine sound system features six speakers and a trunk-mounted subwoofer.
"The sound system and the pop-up juke box will always make you the life of the party," said Sungtae Baek, interior designer for the Chevrolet Beat.
Keeping the Beat on the move is a 1.2-liter turbocharged gas engine mated to an automatic transmission.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Mirko 5:45AM (4/04/2007)
This styling would work better as a Saturn/Opel. Two extra doors, voila, new Opel Agila?
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Schmeltz 9:48AM (4/04/2007)
Hot little car. Sort of makes me think that this is what the Honda Fit was meant to look like. I could see the young Urban crowd scarfing up a lot of these.
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Rock330 10:20AM (4/04/2007)
looks very similar to the WTCC concept that chevrolet had last year
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Rock330 10:22AM (4/04/2007)
but not as nice
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susan.kraemer 11:23AM (4/04/2007)
How is this a 'green' car? sounds like just another dinosaur ICE car.
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kanned 4:39PM (4/04/2007)
I wonder if they had to get permission from Honda to use the Beat name.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_Beat
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eldar 5:12PM (4/04/2007)
Well susan, the car is green isnt it. So there is your answer. As to being an ICE, so is the prius, so are ANY hybrids. If you actually read the article, it has a small engine. Kinda like the old metros had and those got 50mpg with no battery garbage. Sorry to tell you this but gas engines are not going anywhere for a while.
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BrianK 11:52AM (4/05/2007)
This thing has a navigation screen on the steering wheel! I hate to see what my issurance will cost with that option. How does that work when I turn the wheel? Will the picture rotate or will it be effectively like trying to follow a map that someone is rotating wildly in front of me?
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Bob Laipply 1:30PM (4/05/2007)
Please read this article in the Detroit news. We need these cars here in the U.S. It does not look like G.M will sell them here.
http://detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070404/AUTO04/704040451/1364
From article "In an interview with reporters after revealing the three concept cars, GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz said it currently was unlikely that GM will build any of the triplet concepts for sale in the United States, unless there was a dramatic prolonged increase in fuel prices or an "unforeseen" change in fashion for small cars here. He also said the vehicles could be priced starting at $10,000 and could be built in either China or India. All of the triplets would get in the high 40 or 50 mile per gallon fuel economy range.
Lutz noted that the vehicles aren't currently being designed to meet rigorous U.S. safety requirements, another sign the company isn't likely to bring any of the three vehicles designed at GM's South Korean design studio to the U.S. market."
For G.M. to change its image these are exactly the cars they need to sell in the U.S. Please help publicize this.
You can also vote here:
http://info.detnews.com/autostalk/lettersindex.cfm?topic=Mini_Chevys&forum=autostalk
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Glenn 7:34PM (4/05/2007)
This is the only attractive vehicle of the three. Groove isn't too bad, but Trax is awful. I would probably buy this car as is and I currently drive a toyota celica. More appealing than a Scion, IMO.
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cole 12:17PM (4/11/2007)
Some may see this ride as a stolen Ford Focus Concept design. The Chevy beat, shown at the New York Auto Show has a sharp look to it. I can see this car getting done up with rims, tint, the works. Car Clubs and Shows Forum This is'nt the first Car Show this ride will see.
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9oldtimer6 5:19PM (6/15/2007)
BrianK Please read the article...it doesn't have a nav system in the steering wheel...it's located in the center stack! All in all, a sweet design that would have the kids scooping them up like candy!
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victor 12:22PM (9/27/2007)
I disagree with the bashing of the Trax. Many of us need four wheel(live in the country) drive while others just like it. A small SUV fits the bill for people that want the economy and the extra utility. Multi tasking is the future for workers and automobiles. Ill buy a vehicle that will take the place of my jeep, ATV, UTV, and economy car in a minute and millions of others would as well.
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Steve 12:06AM (7/13/2008)
Hope GM stays in business long enough to import it.
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