India-made Chevrolet Beat fails Latin NCAP crash test

Model tested featured no active safety aids.

Latin NCAP has crash tested the India-made Chevrolet Spark GT (a.k.a the Chevrolet Beat) and awarded zero stars for both adult and child occupant protection.

[Youtube link]

The poor score can be attributed to the lack of airbags as the structure was rated as stable in the frontal crash test. A side impact test was not performed as it failed the frontal test. Interestingly, the restraint system for small child was forward facing, rather than rear-facing, and that it lacks proper instructions for Child Restraint System installation. The crash-test child dummies recorded high readings during the test.

It's quite a contrast to the Spark sold in Europe which features six airbags as standard - it was awarded 4 stars by Euro NCAP. The Spark is one of GM's top-selling hatchbacks in countries like Mexico and Colombia, and is imported from Talegaon, Maharashtra.

Also Read: Chevrolet Trailblazer facelift spied inside and out in India

Chevrolet India is working on the next-gen Chevrolet Beat, which is expected to launch in early 2017. It will spawn a crossover (Chevrolet Beat Activ) and sub-4m sedan (Chevrolet Beat Essentia) as well.