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Old 04-04-2007, 08:18 AM   #1
teh POD
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Default New York Auto Show: Chevy debuts the Beat, Groove and Trax mini car concepts

http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/04/n...nd-trax-conce/



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Originally Posted by Autoblog
It's not easy to put your finger on the pulse of the buying public, so Chevy decided to hedge its bets and build three mini car concepts, the Beat, Groove and Trax, and is leaving it up to us (as in all of us) to decide which one we like best. The public can vote for which concept is most appealing by visiting www.vote4chevrolet.com. While there's no guarantee the highest vote getter will be built, it will help guide the development of a future global mini car from GM.

So here are your candidates. The Beat (green) is by far the most sporty of the trio, with its slicked back styling and comparatively large 1.2L turbo engine. Technically described as a "tuner" car, the Beat is meant to be customized much like a Scion to an owner's own individual tastes. The Beat is a front-wheel drive, three-door hatch with an automatic tranny to divvy up the tiny motor's available power.

The Groove concept (black) is much like a mini HHR, a five-door wagon with a tall roof and flat sides. It's extremely short hood, big wheel arches and nonexistent overhangs mean that every square inch of the platform is utilized. Consider this the most practical concept of the three. Also a front-driver, the Groove is powered by a 1L diesel engine.

Finally there's the Trax (orange), which we've met before. The Trax concept is the mini ute of the bunch, doing its best to feign even the slightest ability to venture off the beaten path. We wouldn't suggest it however, as those tires lack any meaningful tread and the ride height, while high compared to the other two concepts, could hardly clear a curb (if that). It's the only one of the three that features round headlights, though its four-door, upright, box-like packaging mimics that of the Groove concept. It's powered by a 1L gas engine.

Which one would we choose? The Autoblog team is split, though this Autoblogger would pick the Groove if pressed. We'll come back at you with more details on each concept, including live shots, in just a few short hours when the 2007 New York Auto Show opens to the press. Check out the preliminary press release from GM after the jump.

[Source: GM]
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Old 04-04-2007, 08:20 AM   #2
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Press Release

Quote:
SIZE DOESN'T MATTER: THREE CHEVROLET GLOBAL MINICAR CONCEPTS PACK A LOT OF PERSONALITY AND STYLE PER MILE

NEW YORK - Three Chevrolet minicar global concepts designed to appeal to young car buyers in urban markets prove that art needn't take a back seat just because the canvas is small. Revealed today at the New York Auto Show, the highly creative Chevrolet Beat, Chevrolet Groove and Chevrolet Trax concepts drive the energy, diversity and excitement of urban life into cars that deliver good-looking fun, fuel economy and value.

Democracy lovers will even get the chance to pick their favorite by visiting www.vote4chevrolet.com and casting their vote for the Beat, Groove or Trax. The results will help Chevrolet determine U.S. market interest in the minicar segment, and which design/capability package resonates best with potential buyers.

All three concepts were designed at GM's Design Studio in Inchon , South Korea . One of GM's 11 Global Design Studios, the designers in the Korean center are experts in small car product development.

Built on GM's global mini architecture, these concepts demonstrate the flexibility, creativity and innovative focus of design in GM's Asia Pacific region. The Chevrolet Beat concept, a running prototype of a micro import tuner, was built in India ; while the Chevrolet Groove and Trax micro urban crossover concepts were built at the GM Tech Center in Warren , Mich.

"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, GM Global Design.

"The design team was so enthused about being given 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."

Chevrolet is one of four GM global brands, meeting diverse customer needs in 120 countries with vehicles that range from subcompacts and family sedans to full-size pickups and SUVs and iconic sports cars such as the Corvette. The concepts revealed in New York , for example, offer three different fuel-efficient engines, including a diesel.

"The Chevrolet Beat, Groove and Trax concepts have the potential to expand the reach of Chevrolet - already a beloved brand around the world - even further, connecting with young buyers on multiple continents who desire fun-yet-efficient transportation," said Chevrolet General Manager Ed Peper. "These are the same brand attributes that made Chevrolet a household name in the U.S. "

Here's a look at Chevrolet's three minicar concepts:


* Chevrolet Beat : Designed to evoke the mood of a speedy micro import tuner, the Beat is a front-wheel-drive, three-door hatchback concept built to be personalized, and powered by a 1.2-liter turbocharged gasoline engine mated to an automatic transmission. It's loaded with technology, including a navigation system and premium stereo.

* Chevrolet Groove: A "funkastalgia"-themed vehicle too tough-looking to be "cute," the Groove concept is a retro-inspired vehicle with bodacious fender flares and an upright windshield. It looks much longer than it is, thanks to its short hood and long cabin. The front-drive Groove is powered by a small, efficient 1-liter diesel engine.

* Chevrolet Trax: An urban crossover concept that's equally at home on the trails or in traffic, it gets a low-cost all-wheel-drive system and looks the part of a rugged SUV many times its size, thanks to a voluminous one-piece bumper and fender system in the front and back, a rear-mounted spare tire and a roof rack. Trax is powered by a 1-liter gas engine.

GM's Global Product Development process

The Chevrolet Beat, Groove and Trax concepts were designed and built leveraging GM's Global Product Development process, created from best practices around the world that integrate design, engineering, powertrain and manufacturing organizations to ensure each vehicle program meets its quality, timing and business targets, yet is responsive to the needs in regional markets.

As part of its global product development process, GM is growing the skills and capabilities of its design and engineering centers in several emerging markets, using key tools and technologies, such as a global virtual design and engineering network, that allows engineers and designers to collaborate with each other around the world.

Chevrolet's global footprint

Chevrolet is one of the fastest-growing brands in the world, with a sales increase of 158 percent outside North America since 2001. Chevrolet sold 4.3 million vehicles worldwide in 2006, 2.8 million - or 65 percent - in the United States . From 2005 to 2006, Chevrolet's sales grew 19 percent in the Latin America, Africa and the Middle East region; 19 percent in the Asia/Pacific region; and 15 percent in Europe .

The Chevrolet Aveo sedan and five-door subcompact, engineered and built in South Korea , is a strong contender in the very competitive global small car market.

About Chevrolet:


Chevrolet is America 's No. 1-selling automotive brand. With the largest dealer network in the United States , Chevrolet is the leader in full-size trucks and the leader in sales of vehicles priced $35,000 and above. Chevrolet delivers more-than-expected value in every vehicle category, offering cars and trucks priced from $9,995 to $78,175. Chevrolet delivers expressive design, spirited performance and great value with standard features usually found only on more expensive vehicles.

About General Motors:

General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM), the world's largest automaker, has been the global industry sales leader for 76 years. Founded in 1908, GM today employs about 280,000 people around the world. With global headquarters in Detroit , GM manufactures its cars and trucks in 33 countries. In 2006, nearly 9.1 million GM cars and trucks were sold globally under the following brands: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, GM Daewoo, Holden, HUMMER, Opel, Pontiac, Saab, Saturn and Vauxhall. GM's OnStar subsidiary is the industry leader in vehicle safety, security and information services. More information on GM can be found at www.gm.com.
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Old 04-04-2007, 08:24 AM   #3
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Old 04-04-2007, 08:30 AM   #4
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The groove looks pretty cool.
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Old 04-04-2007, 08:38 AM   #5
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I'd drive that Brat if it wasn't called the Brat, and came in WRB, and had a Boxer engine, with a Turbo and symmetrical AWD.....wait, i get where this is goin, nevermind. but i would drive it though.
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Old 04-04-2007, 08:52 AM   #6
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I'd drive that Brat if it wasn't called the Brat, and came in WRB, and had a Boxer engine, with a Turbo and symmetrical AWD.....wait, i get where this is goin, nevermind. but i would drive it though.
BEAT! not BRAT!
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Old 04-04-2007, 09:29 AM   #7
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as usual GM enters the fray a little bit late. Honda invented the Beat minicar like 15 years ago

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Old 04-04-2007, 10:20 AM   #8
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In 5 years the US will be overrun with mini cars
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Old 04-04-2007, 10:27 AM   #9
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I'd drive the BEAT

if I can fit in it
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Old 04-04-2007, 11:58 AM   #10
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The Trax looks like the female UFO from Batteries Not Included.

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Old 04-04-2007, 12:43 PM   #11
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heck, chevy has better design language than subaru...
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Old 04-04-2007, 01:29 PM   #12
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heck, chevy has better design language than subaru...
Comparing concept cars to production-ready cars.. smart.
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Old 04-04-2007, 02:11 PM   #13
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Jesus, for once I'd love to see GM leading instead following. Why don't they just partner with Toyota/Scion and save some money?
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Old 04-04-2007, 02:17 PM   #14
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Quote:
The public can vote for which concept is most appealing by visiting www.vote4chevrolet.com.
Can I vote for subaru?
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Old 04-04-2007, 02:38 PM   #15
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Jesus, for once I'd love to see GM leading instead following. Why don't they just partner with Toyota/Scion and save some money?
My thoughts exactly when I saw those pics.

-Mike
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Old 04-04-2007, 03:09 PM   #16
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Sure but this is definitely a step in the right direction. I actually like the design of all three of these cars. I hope GM builds at least one of these.
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Old 04-04-2007, 03:24 PM   #17
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Those cars look pretty cool. Its hard to guage the size in the pictures.
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Old 04-04-2007, 03:25 PM   #18
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Jesus, for once I'd love to see Subaru leading instead following. Why don't they just partner with Toyota/Mazda and save some money?
Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the 2008 Impreza .......

GM does already partner with Toyota - the Corolla/Nova/Prizm/Vibe/Matrix thing has been going on a while (since the early 80's, IIRC. I wonder (if produced) what collaborations GM would use to make this happen, since I would assume these cars would make a lot of sense in Europe (under one of their Euro nameplates) and Pacific Rim countries.

But yeah, they are a little late to the party .... much like the HHR was a late response to the PT Cruiser.
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Old 04-04-2007, 03:39 PM   #19
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they actually showed this on Nightline [ABC] last night...
the article was mostly about OMGWTFF AMERICA/GM IS GOING SMALL AND FOREIGN!?!?!?!1?11?!?!?!1!!?!?1?!?!!?!?!??!1?
seriously the stupid narrator had that kind of tone not believing this is the way GM HAS to go, like a redneck would think.

FYI these cars were designed by Korean designers in GM's Korea division and the actual clay/wood models were built in Indonesia OMGnotamerican!
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Old 04-04-2007, 05:44 PM   #20
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Comparing concept cars to production-ready cars.. smart.
May be you need to checkout Buick Enclave or Ford Flex and compare it their concepts
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Old 04-04-2007, 05:58 PM   #21
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I think all 3 of them are pretty darn nice looking (especially the Beat and Trax). NOT boring, quite different and I would welcome if even one of them hits production as little changed as possible.



Chevy showed off the WTCC concept last year and now the Beat looks to be an evolution of that design. If it is indeed as large as the WTCC then I full expect the Beat to replace the Cobalt and be based on the next-gen Astra platform when that gets released in a couple of years. But the Beat might be smaller - and might turn into the next-gen Aveo replacement and be based on a Deowoo platform.

Either way, to get new small cars from GM, we have to see concepts of them first - and this is a damn good start.
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Old 04-04-2007, 08:29 PM   #22
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Wow...do you think GM could have been any MORE obvious in their design cue thievery? "Beat" = Scion xA..."Groove" = Scion xB. So obvious...
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Old 04-04-2007, 08:42 PM   #23
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wow - they're not bland as I anticipated they would be. Not my cup of tea, but I'd be happy to share the road with these little cars.
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Old 04-04-2007, 10:10 PM   #24
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Balantz View Post
Wow...do you think GM could have been any MORE obvious in their design cue thievery? "Beat" = Scion xA..."Groove" = Scion xB. So obvious...
You know that Scion was created as a brand by Toyota that was engineered to appeal to young buyers with it's hip and edgy attitute? YOU ARE BEING MARKETED TO ..... don't look at the boring company behind the curtain .... do not look at the company that made your parent's boring family sedan ... they bear no relation to us.

Scion certainly didn't innovate (much) their offerings, either -- big daddy Toyota is very conservative (and very successful). GM already has a car in their lineup called the "Vibe", so "Beat" and "Groove" aren't far off the mark, there, and I could see something coming from the "Excitement" division that would bar one of these names.

I'm just happy to see automakers putting money into this segment. Other parts of the world have a very healthy selection of stylish cars like this due to pricey gas or displacement tarriffs (or both), we in the US have been stuck with too many variations on the SUV theme for too long while domestic offerings in the sedan and coupe markets languished.
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Old 04-05-2007, 09:33 AM   #25
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Balantz View Post
Wow...do you think GM could have been any MORE obvious in their design cue thievery? "Beat" = Scion xA..."Groove" = Scion xB. So obvious...
I'm not sure they could have made these look anymore different and still be in the same category. If this is your definition of thievery, then Scion stole their xB design from the 60's mini cooper.

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