Google has released a new beta version of its Chrome browser, which the search giant claims is much faster.

"The best thing about this new beta is speed. It's 25 per cent faster on our V8 benchmark, and 35 per cent faster on the Sunspider benchmark, than the current stable channel version, and almost twice as fast when compared to our original beta version," said Google Chrome product manager Brian Rakowski in a blog post.

Other new features include auto-complete on web forms, the ability to zoom in to sections of web pages, and a new form of tabbing that allows tabbed windows to be viewed side by side.

The beta will not replace the current stable Chrome browser, but will run side by side with it, Rakowski explained.

"Getting on the beta channel means your version of Google Chrome will regularly get updated with new speed enhancements, features and bug fixes before most users see them," he said.

"We're doing our best to quickly churn out new features as they are available, rather than saving them up for occasional major releases. Riding the beta channel is a great way to let us know what's working and what's not, but don't be surprised to find some rough edges."

Google launched Chrome in September last year, but it has failed to make serious inroads into the browser market.