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http://autoshow.autos.msn.com/autoshow/NewYork2007/Article.aspx?cp-documentid=4609624
General Motors opened the 2007 New York International Auto show by unveiling three new minicars. The concepts, all designed at GM’s Design Studio in Inchon, South Korea, intend to gauge interest for a small, urban vehicle in the U.S. market.
Robert Lutz, GM vice chairman, referred to the Chevrolet Beat, Groove and Trax concepts as “The Triplets.” Each offers a different interpretation of a vehicle for the urban environment that delivers fun design, good fuel economy and value.
“The Chevrolet Beat, Groove and Trax concepts highlight the strength and diversity of GM’s Global Design capabilities, as well as the ability of our Global Product Development team to anticipate and quickly meet the evolving needs of our diverse markets around the world,” said Ed Welburn, vice president of GM Global Design.
All three concepts are built on GM’s global mini architecture and draw on the expertise of designers at GM’s South Korean studio in small car product development. “The design team was so enthused with the assignment to develop the perfect small car for urban commuters that they created not one but three interpretations of how this car may be developed for Chevrolet customers around the world,” explained Welburn.
Chevrolet Beat
A front-wheel-drive, three-door hatchback designed to reflect the attitude of a high-performance micro tuner car, the Beat has a bright Vertigo Green exterior finish that extends to the interior as well. The car has a sloping rake from the rear spoiler to the hood, with long headlights that extend back from the grille to the base of the windshield. Door handles are integrated into the B-pillar to give the side a clean look.
Powered by a 1.2-liter turbocharged gasoline engine mated to an automatic transmission, the Beat has large 17-inch wheels pushed out to the corners of the car and brake calipers with the Vertigo Green finish. Vertically stacked twin LED taillights extend up to the rear glass.
Inside, the Beat gets finished in Tachyon Black/Titanium with a wraparound dash—also in Vertigo Green—with the top of the dash in color-coordinated fabric. The fabric and mesh seats have contrasting green stitching, while the headliner incorporates fiber-optic lighting. The center stack has a pop-up feature revealing the navigation system when pushed up and a storage compartment when pushed down. A premium Alpine sound system packs in six speakers and a trunk-mounted subwoofer.
Chevrolet Groove
Chevrolet officials refer to the Groove design as "funkastalgia," with a retro-inspired style that includes large fender flares and an upright windshield. According to GM the Groove draws its inspiration from a “half-soldier, half-modern” military helmet, and is designed to be both contemporary and funky. Heritage design elements include an upright windshield and prominent fender flares combined with a short hood, long cabin and large 17-inch five-spoke wheels pushed clear to the rear to give the Groove a long look.
A matte Lunar Quartz exterior finish gets punctuated with satin silver chrome details. The perception of length is further accentuated by elongated headlights, and LED fog lights include integrated open-air vents. The Groove gets power from a 1.0-liter diesel engine driving the front wheels.
Chevrolet Trax
A four-door urban crossover vehicle designed to be at home in the city, the Trax incorporates rugged design characteristics from larger SUVs. One-piece bumper and fender assemblies fore and aft have a flat Burnt Orange finish to add a rugged look, in contrast to the bright Blaze Orange exterior finish.
Large fender arches, a rear-mounted spare tire and a roof rack add to the SUV character of the Trax, while Flame Yellow brake calipers and 16-inch wheels and tires add an aspect of performance.
A 1.0-liter gasoline engine puts power to the front wheels; for added versatility an electric limited-slip differential features an independent battery pack and an electric motor to drive the rear wheels—providing a low-cost all-wheel-drive system.
Chevrolet invites consumers to visit www.vote4chevrolet.com and vote for their favorite of the Beat, Groove and Trax. The GM brand will use voting results to gauge U.S. interest in the minicar segment, as well as reception to the designs and features of the three concepts.
General Motors opened the 2007 New York International Auto show by unveiling three new minicars. The concepts, all designed at GM’s Design Studio in Inchon, South Korea, intend to gauge interest for a small, urban vehicle in the U.S. market.
Robert Lutz, GM vice chairman, referred to the Chevrolet Beat, Groove and Trax concepts as “The Triplets.” Each offers a different interpretation of a vehicle for the urban environment that delivers fun design, good fuel economy and value.
“The Chevrolet Beat, Groove and Trax concepts highlight the strength and diversity of GM’s Global Design capabilities, as well as the ability of our Global Product Development team to anticipate and quickly meet the evolving needs of our diverse markets around the world,” said Ed Welburn, vice president of GM Global Design.
All three concepts are built on GM’s global mini architecture and draw on the expertise of designers at GM’s South Korean studio in small car product development. “The design team was so enthused with the assignment to develop the perfect small car for urban commuters that they created not one but three interpretations of how this car may be developed for Chevrolet customers around the world,” explained Welburn.
Chevrolet Beat
A front-wheel-drive, three-door hatchback designed to reflect the attitude of a high-performance micro tuner car, the Beat has a bright Vertigo Green exterior finish that extends to the interior as well. The car has a sloping rake from the rear spoiler to the hood, with long headlights that extend back from the grille to the base of the windshield. Door handles are integrated into the B-pillar to give the side a clean look.
Powered by a 1.2-liter turbocharged gasoline engine mated to an automatic transmission, the Beat has large 17-inch wheels pushed out to the corners of the car and brake calipers with the Vertigo Green finish. Vertically stacked twin LED taillights extend up to the rear glass.
Inside, the Beat gets finished in Tachyon Black/Titanium with a wraparound dash—also in Vertigo Green—with the top of the dash in color-coordinated fabric. The fabric and mesh seats have contrasting green stitching, while the headliner incorporates fiber-optic lighting. The center stack has a pop-up feature revealing the navigation system when pushed up and a storage compartment when pushed down. A premium Alpine sound system packs in six speakers and a trunk-mounted subwoofer.
Chevrolet Groove
Chevrolet officials refer to the Groove design as "funkastalgia," with a retro-inspired style that includes large fender flares and an upright windshield. According to GM the Groove draws its inspiration from a “half-soldier, half-modern” military helmet, and is designed to be both contemporary and funky. Heritage design elements include an upright windshield and prominent fender flares combined with a short hood, long cabin and large 17-inch five-spoke wheels pushed clear to the rear to give the Groove a long look.
A matte Lunar Quartz exterior finish gets punctuated with satin silver chrome details. The perception of length is further accentuated by elongated headlights, and LED fog lights include integrated open-air vents. The Groove gets power from a 1.0-liter diesel engine driving the front wheels.
Chevrolet Trax
A four-door urban crossover vehicle designed to be at home in the city, the Trax incorporates rugged design characteristics from larger SUVs. One-piece bumper and fender assemblies fore and aft have a flat Burnt Orange finish to add a rugged look, in contrast to the bright Blaze Orange exterior finish.
Large fender arches, a rear-mounted spare tire and a roof rack add to the SUV character of the Trax, while Flame Yellow brake calipers and 16-inch wheels and tires add an aspect of performance.
A 1.0-liter gasoline engine puts power to the front wheels; for added versatility an electric limited-slip differential features an independent battery pack and an electric motor to drive the rear wheels—providing a low-cost all-wheel-drive system.
Chevrolet invites consumers to visit www.vote4chevrolet.com and vote for their favorite of the Beat, Groove and Trax. The GM brand will use voting results to gauge U.S. interest in the minicar segment, as well as reception to the designs and features of the three concepts.