Feedback: What’s good and bad about the new Beat diesel

Beat diesel’s features have gotten people talking, with some even wondering whether the diesel version would give its petrol peers heartburn. A selection of the best insights and feedback the CarToq members had to offer after the Beat diesel was launched earlier this week on July 25.

Real value for money

Hrishi Acharya: Beat offers real value for money when compared to Ritz and Figo. Beat has new engineering technology and a good design, along with great features like climate control (in the top-end Beat diesel LT Option) ABS, and alloy wheels. For Rs. 5.45 lakh, it’s a great deal.

Diesel engine with great mileage

Anuvansh Boora: In the power department, it’s almost equal to Wagon R or Santro — which cost about Rs 3.50 lakh but suck your blood if you drive them on petrol. Beat is just  Rs 60-70,000 more, but with diesel engine and great mileage.

Pradhuman Jallandhra: I think Beat will offer greater fuel efficiency.

Not enough power?

Rajawat Bharat: How much could I get a 1000cc engine … I would choose Figo over Beat.

Anupam Potdar: If the buyer is young, why would he buy such an underpowered car when he could get a more powerful and efficient car? I don’t see the point of Beat, unless one is really stuck on buying it!

Pradhuman Jallandhra: Beat has a 3-cylinder engine. Figo has a four-cylinder engine. Let’s see what happens.

Charan Bhawnani: Beat is a torquey diesel and will be sufficient for most of our needs. It’ll  just be little slower on the highways.

Anupam Potdar: It’s better than Ritz only slightly in the looks department and that’s it.

Looks

Pradhuman Jallandhra: Personally, I love Beat’s looks. The front looks like an SUV’s and the compact sides.

Conclusion

Anupam Potdar: Unless Beat is drastically cheaper and has crazily good fuel efficiency in the real world as well, it would be OK for a bachelor or a new family guy who’s willing to sell it after 3-5 years (because of the space problems). Unless you get it for 4 lakhs…That would be a bargain.

Pulkit Kumar Singh: I have driven all Chevrolet cars except the Optra Magnum, and this much I can say for sure — GM is a different category. I felt that the handling , gearbox, suspension and durability, and stability at higher speeds are far better that all what Beat’s rivals can boast of.

Aravind Anbu: A car buyer looks for value for money, performance, mileage and features more than whether the car has a 4 cylinder engine or 3 cylinder engine. It makes sense that the Beat will put pressure on Figo and Ritz.

Atul Patro: Rizt is better than Beat in terms of space and performance. Beat is too compact.GM needs to do more surveys. Indians need more spacious cars.