New Chevrolet -2010

Ignore the zany camouflage – beneath the canvas, swirls and dots sits Chevrolet's new Beat supermini. It's the car that will replace the aged Matiz – thanks goodness – and it sits on GM's new 'world car' B-class platform, developed in Korea. It's early days yet for the fresh-looking Beat though – it only arrives here in 2010. It was. Chevrolet unveiled three concepts at 2007's New York motor show – Beat, Groove and Trax – and then asked the public to vote online for the car they wanted to go into production. With modern, muscular and chunky looks it's no surprise the Beat took top honours after 1.9 million votes had been cast. It's the very antithesis of the current Matiz. Just as well – the Beat will be sold around the globe in over 100 countries, so its visual appeal is crucial if Chevrolet is to succeed as GM's entry-level marque. By Ben Whitworth