Jalopnik: chevy beat

Transformers 2: Three New TV Spots Debut Chevy Hick-Bot

Ray Wert — Wed, 20 May 2009 22:30:00 EDT

Michael Bay's website just dropped three new TV commercials for next month's Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen. What do they show? How about the Chevy Beat talking! And he sounds like a hick! A Chevy that's also a hick? Who woulda thunk it?

Chevy Spark Headed To Geneva

Ben Wojdyla — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 10:31:00 EST

GM teased the Beat-inspired Chevy Spark on the Today Show. Then GM showed nothing at the Detroit Auto Show. Now we're told the new super-mini will instead debut at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show.

The new Chevy Spark will debut at the Geneva Motor Show alongside a full range of Delta II-platformed vehicles like the Chevy Cruze. But for microcar buyers, there will be only one darling on the stand. The Spark will be introduced with a four cylinder 1.0 liter fuel sipper and a snarling 1.2 liter performance model. It will also show off what looks to be a segment first "respectable" interior — we'll of course have to see such a thing to believe it ourselves. Check out the press release and video below.

CHEVROLET AT THE GENEVA MOTOR SHOW 2009
* All-new Chevrolet Spark makes world debut
* Four-door Cruze range unveiled
There's a Spark promising to light up this year's Geneva Motor Show, and it's to be found on the Chevrolet stand.

The company's all-new mini car goes on sale in Europe later this year and is the latest interpretation of Chevrolet's new global design strategy. As well as Europe, the car will be sold in the USA, India and other core markets, where its compact dimensions and vibrant good looks will appeal to customers.

Powered by a choice of fuel-efficient 1.0 and 1.2-litre petrol engines, the five-door Spark has a distinctive, angular cabin that matches its bold exterior styling – a look that is designed to appeal to young and mature drivers alike.

The head-turning design will be complemented by outstanding passenger space, entertaining driving characteristics and, of course, Chevrolet's tradition for providing extraordinary value for money.

The Geneva show, which is open to the public from March 5-20, will also see the entire Chevrolet Cruze range appearing for the first time. The new four-door saloon was unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in October, and is set to go on sale in the UK in July 2009.

Available with a choice of 1.6 or 1.8-litre petrol engines, plus a 2.0-litre diesel, the Cruze promises excellent dynamics, passenger comfort and build quality, yet will remain a great value for money car in the true Chevrolet mould.

Prices and exact UK specifications will be announced closer to the car's on sale date.[Source: GM]

2011 Chevy Spark: A Redneck Robot?

Ray Wert — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 13:00:00 EST

A new Activision website for the Transformers movie sequel video game features shots of robot modes for the Chevy Spark (Beat) and Trax. Frankly, they both look like hicks. A larger, higher-quality shot below.

The Transformers forum fan-boys at TFW2005 found a new Activision website for the inspired-by-Transformers-2 video game. The front page of the new game site features a shot of the robot modes for the Chevy Spark and Trax. Frankly, they both look like hicks. Ghetto hicks, but yes, hicks. Seriously, look at the sleepy eye and bored, folded-over arms. I half expect the Chevy Spark (also known as Skids in the movie) to be sitting back in a rocking chair on a porch, hat on head, and a piece of straw in its mouth. Maybe a banjo sitting next to him. What say you?
[Activision via TFW2005]

Chevy Beat Heading To Detroit After Live Tease On Today Show

Ray Wert — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 08:29:35 EST

NBC Today Show's Matt Lauer is in Detroit this morning at GM's Warren Tech Center, where he teased a supposed production car. Despite rumors of it's demise, it looks like it's the Chevy Beat.

UPDATE: Now with video!

Lauer claimed the car would be showing up at the Detroit Auto Show — most likely in production form. Makes sense to us. No reason to include the Chevy Beat in the upcoming second Transformers movie if they're not planning to bring it to market. Of course, they're also including the Corvette Centennial Concept, and we don't think they've got plans to ever produce that. Video coming shortly.

Transformers 2 Caught At Air Force Base, Chevy Beat Bot To Be "Skids"

Ben Wojdyla — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 13:20:00 EDT

Looks like the crew of Transformers 2 was caught on-set in Arizona at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base along with a couple of the more robotic cast members — albeit while in their vehicle mode get-ups. Based on the plates, it looks like we're also able to put a name to the bot who will be played by the Chevy Beat: Skids. Despite our best efforts, we couldn't decipher the plate on the Chevy Trax, but that's okay because the upgraded Chevy Camaro will still be Bumblebee, and that's the only one we really care about anyway. (Thanks for the pics Matthew)

2011 Chevy Beat Wearing Dealer Plates Spotted In New York

Ben Wojdyla — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 09:20:00 EDT

At the time of this posting, the Chevy Beat is not approved for US consumption, but that doesn't mean it can't undergo testing in the great state of New York — wearing dealer plates, no less. These images come via an eagle-eyed forum member over at GMInsideNews and show the Beat on its evolutionary path from angry little hornet concept to mildly perturbed production pod. Given the number of times we've seen the Daewoo-sourced minicar on domestic shores, we have to believe something is up; the presence of dealer instead of manufacturer plates on this tester simply reinforces our suspicions.

[GMInsideNews]

2011 Chevy Beat Uncovered, Displays A Daewoo Badge

Ben Wojdyla — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 13:00:00 EDT

According to the folks over at Hyundai-Blog, what we're looking at here is the Daewoo version of the 2011 Chevy Beat in all its glory. We're a bit suspicious as it appears to be sitting on the floor of some unnamed auto show, but the refined body panels suggest production intent and design for manufacture, so we'll buy it for now. Shockingly the Beat maintains much of its radical, in-your-face styling and bizarrely grows a set of roof racks, O.G. Plymouth Neon-style. Still. the Korean-built compact is in the undecided category for US sales, but we actually like the styling, and it would certainly shake up the segment. [Hyundai-Blog]

Fast Lane Daily Spies Cadillac CTS Coupe, Cornucopia Of GM Products

Mark Arnold — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 15:40:00 EDT

Fast Lane Daily's insomniac spy photographer, Keith, spotted this abundant collection of General Motors products taking a break from some high-altitude testing in Colorado's Rocky Mountains. Most obvious is the 2010 Cadillac CTS Coupe, but also tagging along were a couple of small hatchbacks, one of which looks to be the 2011 Chevy Beat. One shot even shows what could be the 2011 Saturn Aura, or perhaps just the European Opel Insignia. All that and more in today's episode of Fast Lane Daily. Video after the jump.

2011 Chevy Beat Exposes Its Interior, Still Concealing US Plans

Ben Wojdyla — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 12:40:00 EDT

The fate of the Chevy Beat is still in limbo for US markets, but as we see here, that isn't stopping the ongoing development of the latest GM minicar. The Beat gets a buddy for some hot weather testing and we get a look at the interior for the first time. For a subcompact, it's hard to be surprised by the spartan accommodations and the long-handled shifter, but we do like the floating gauge pod mounted directly to what appears to be a tilting steering column. Coupled with a high seating arrangement and supposedly true-to-concept styling, the Beat is shaping up to be more than your average econo-beater.

2011 Chevy Beat Goes On, Caught Testing

Ray Wert — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 13:15:00 EDT

Despite a dire need by the General for more small cars here in the United States, we won't be getting the Chevy Beat (we're still unsure why that particular GM decision makes sense). That's not stopping GM from building it for other markets as these first shots from NextAutos of Chevy's new musical micro-car show. Full details below the jump.

The car-snapping shooters who picked up the shots of the Beat claim design of the production Beat is very close to the concept, but Chevrolet added a pair of rear doors to make it easier to get in and out in the back seat. We're also told the engine range may still be unknown, but claim the new 1.2-liter S-TEC II with chain-driven 16 valve DOHC valvetrain and variable intake geometry will be one option. Another option will be the choice of automatic or manual gearbox. Head on over to NextAutos for the full show. [NextAutos]

The Chevy Beat Goes On...Into US Showrooms?

Ben Wojdyla — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 17:20:00 EDT

Seems GM could be redoubling its efforts with small cars in the face of shifting consumer demand, and actually putting the Chevy Beat into the US market. Even though the Beat won in a popularity contest over its other two conceptual siblings, the Groove and the Trax — which we thought meant a green light for production, no formal product plan was put in place for the US. With shuttered plants and the need to reconnect with customers, we think the beat is exactly what the doctor ordered.

[Bloomberg]

Transformers 2: The Chevy Trax Declares Its Allegiance

Ben Wojdyla — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 09:30:00 EDT

We first saw the Chevy Trax last week on the set of Transformers 2 in the City of Brotherly Love, but the shot raised more questions than answers. Who was this new Transformer? Friend or foe? Well, today reveals the truth: The Trax will be playing for the good guys in the role of an as-yet unnamed Autobot. We find a certain humor in the fact that we can't tell who just yet because the robot is in disguise; of course, that's the point. We're wondering if Ironhide gets chopped in twain and melted down to make two more fuel-efficient 'bots. After all, we haven't seen the Chevy Beat, the Trax and Ironhide all in the same place yet. [TransformersLive via TFW2005]

Surprise! Chevy Trax Shows Up On Set Of Transformers 2

Ben Wojdyla — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 17:06:00 EDT

We thought we had all the new vehicles already figured out for Michael Bay's next GM-gasm — Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. Turns out there are still a few secrets to suss out as a Chevy Trax was spotted running chest to chest with the Chevy Beat moments after the the Bumblebee/Chevy Trax chase shot we saw earlier. Obviously we have no idea which robo-character this little fella will be playing — hey, maybe all the minicars will join together to form Voltron, and we'll have a crazy giant fighting robot crossover movie! (Again, thanks go out to Rueben)

Bumblebee And Chevy Beat Racing Around Philly

Ben Wojdyla — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 16:20:00 EDT

The hotted up 2010 Chevy Camaro SS version of Bumblebee was snapped either running from, or leading whatever 'bot the Chevy Beat will be playing on the set of Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen today in Philadelphia. Hopefully they don't run into the NYC 2009 Renault Laguna Coupe, because we're pretty sure the Renault would be a Decepticon, and nobody wants to see giant transforming robots fight. Oh wait. (Thanks Rueben)

Transformers 2 To Include Chevy Beat, Saab Aero-X Concept?

Travis Hudson — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 14:00:00 EDT

Can you believe it? There's only a year left until the release of Transformers 2, and both Ray and I can hardly control our robogasms. Today brings news we may see the inclusion of the Chevy Beat and the Saab Aero-X concepts in the movie.

What's particularly interesting about the Beat and the Aero-X is that both will be the second and third high-profile concept vehicles to be used in the filming, the first being the Hummer HX. Rumor suggests the Aero-X will play the role of Wheeljack, and while there's no word on what role the Chevy Beat will be playing, we can safely assume it'll be a small one... *rimshot* [TFW2005; TFW2005]

Chevy Set to Produce Beat Microcar

Matt Hardigree — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 14:15:00 EST

The votes are in, those who voted in the GM survey to pick the next microcar selected the Chevy Beat (pictured). I guess when you have a contest you shouldn't be surprised when the one you named Beat beats the competition. Out of 1.9 million votes this was the top selection, besting the Trax and the Groove. The Beat is definitely the most boy-racer-futuristic looking, so it's not a shock that it won. How much of this car ends up in the final car is anyone's guess, in the meantime enjoy the photos of your next GM city car. [Car]