General Motors India has launched the diesel version of its compact car Beat at an entry level price of Rs. 4.29 lakh, ex-showroom, New Delhi. The full loaded top end version is priced at Rs. 5.73 lakh. The Beat diesel sports the 1.0 XSDE SMARTECH engine developed specifically for India by the GM Technical Centre in Bangalore in collaboration with GM Power-train Europe.

GM India claims that the car’s engine is the quietest powerplant in its segment and provides outstanding performance in stop-and-go traffic conditions. It also incorporates an advanced technology maintenance free timing chain drive system and added anti-corrosion protection. The engine oil only needs to be changed every 15,000 km or 1.5 years, for lower maintenance costs.

The company expects to sell 4,500-5,000 units of the Beat diesel every month. Currently, the market for diesel hatchbacks is pegged at around 26,000 units monthly. The Beat diesel is launched at a time when demand for diesel cars is growing at a healthy pace, even as the overall market is witnessing slower growth rates.

Most of the models that offer both petrol and diesel fuel options see around 70 percent of its volumes coming from the diesel variant. GM India now plans to ride on this wave to garner more volumes. The company is expecting to sell over 1.4 lakh vehicles during this year.