With over a billion people (and growing), India may one day have a thirst for oil rivaling even the U.S. Chevrolet is offering Indian consumers another choice though, a propane-powered Chevrolet Beat microcar.
You may recognize the Beat name from a pre-bankruptcy GM concept. This itsy bitsy automobile, actually a rebadged Daewoo, is already available in gasoline form, and a diesel version is on its way. The Beat is the debut of GM’s new 1.2 liter “Smartech” dual-fuel engine; the LPG package for the Beat comes from GM. The Advanced Multipoint Sequential LPG Technology is unlike the venturi-type LPG conversions that many alt-fuel vehicles use. This system eliminates many of the problems from older LPG systems like power loss, backfires, and a jerky response (this may be something unique to India, I cannot say, but the few LPG vehicles I’ve driven experienced none of these issues.)
This isn’t the first we’ve heard of the Beat; it was once slated to come to America, and there’s rumored to be a diesel and electric version in the works. The LPG Beat gets 13.29 kmpl (about 30 mpg U.S.) on propane, the best in its class in India. And get this; it also still has all the equipment to run on petrol, so if there aren’t any nearby LPG stations, you can still fill the Beat up with gasoline. The LPG Beat comes with a 35,000 Rupee (about $766) premium.
Source: India Auto Blog
Chris DeMorro is a writer and gearhead who loves all things automotive, from hybrids to HEMI’s. You can follow his slow descent into madness at Sublime Burnout.