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Sources say mileage could easily exceed 40 mpg. (http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080602/FREE/516060181/1023/LATESTNEWS)

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/2007_Chevrolet_Beat_Cnoncept.jpgJamie Lareau - Autoweek - June 2, 2008

Chevrolet Beat Concept

GM is finally getting serious and may even usurp Ford’s 2010 Fiesta launch w/ a DI and Turbocharged 1.4L in the next compact. -- Ed.

General Motors will unveil a Chevrolet compact car at an auto show this fall, with production slated to begin early next year, say sources familiar with GM’s product program.

The vehicle will be built on the Delta compact car architecture at GM’s plant in Lordstown, Ohio.

The car will use a new 1.4-liter global engine that GM developed and recently announced in Europe. The turbocharged four-cylinder engine will be used in several GM vehicles worldwide.

The Chevrolet compact will not be called the Cobalt, says one source familiar with the plans. GM will produce the current-generation Cobalt through June 2010 as a 2009 model. It was unclear from sources whether GM will continue to build the Cobalt after that.

Shared among five nameplates

“It’s a pretty incredible engine; it’s direct-injected with great power,” the source says. “The small-displacement turbos make it possible to get great power so that GM might put it in the mid-sized products, too. It’s an extremely important engine and a very capable powertrain.” … http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080602/FREE/516060181/1023/LATESTNEWS

GM is finally getting the message.

An engine smaller than in my Civic (1.6 liter) and smaller than in my Prius (1.5 liter).

GM has to make drastic changes not only to survive, but so that American commuters can survive.


Harry

I hope they give the Fit real good competition.

I hope they give the Fit real good competition.

Unless Honda gets real serious about reducing the engine size of the FIT, this car will beat it. 1.5 liter for the FIT is overkill.

Yup, this might finally be GM's saving grace.... hopefully it works out! Until I guess Big Oil shuts 'em down!

Unless Honda gets real serious about reducing the engine size of the FIT, this car will beat it. 1.5 liter for the FIT is overkill.

I agree. All they have to do is give us the same 1.3 from the Civic Hybrid and international Fits, with the CORRECT gearing, and they are back in winning territory.


...And lets hope it's not a rush job that will be full of issues on GM's part. Styling is a bit over the top though.

One source is confirming that the Beat will be coming here: http://www.autobloggreen.com/2008/07/03/no-brainer-of-the-day-gm-to-bring-chevy-beat-to-us-market/

I'm pretty hopeful about this vehicle. I am in the market for a vehicle and could probably hold out for this (assuming it's going to be made in Ohio). My father has worked for GM for a long time and would probably disown me if I bought a foreign car.

Although this article makes me think that we will not have the Beat in the USA next year, and it might not even be American made if/when we do: http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080704/BUSINESS01/807040341

GM was going to offer the Aveo with the standard 1.6 L engine and a smaller engine. Could this be the smaller engine they were talking about? Sounds good, a turbo when you actually need some power, and a small displacement engine for the other 99.99% of your drive.

In fact, a smaller displacement engine would be even better. I've owned cars with engines of 1098 and 1488 cc displacements, without turbos, and they were a blast to drive. The AH Sprite was an SCCA racer. You could change the front disc pads with a pair of pliers and a screwdriver, in about 5 minutes or less (but you could never tune the carbs perfectly).

Styling is a bit over the top though.

I think it looks pretty sweet. Something tells me that it'll wind up with wheels that allow a little more sidewall though.