In the age of rebellion beginners game, the player are given a new piloting action called shortcut where the pilot has an opposed roll to move towards the target as an action, in addition to the normal move manoeuvre.

My question is: is this a new standard piloting action, or just a thing for the beginners game, as it sounds quite good for chase scenarios.

If it was in the beginners game it will almost certainly be the AoR book. The beginner game only simplifies existing rules; it doesn't create its own rules that won't be in the final game.

I expect AoR will add a lot of talents, careers, races, equipment, and rule mechanics.

That's a pretty nice idea. It wasn't in the AoR beta updates, but it would be cool if it appeared in the CRB, although I doubt it.

It sort of overlaps with the Chase mechanic already in the system and the opposed check for the pilot skill (for vehicles not able to use the Gain the Advantage action). Of course, one could argue that it's different enough to warrant it's own write up. It does negate the need for taking strain and could allow larger vehicles to move closer in one round than they normally would... it's quite powerful actually...

Any speed or silhouette requirements? I haven't had time to pop by the game store to get a copy of the AoR beginner game, and probably won't for another two weeks.