New York Preview: Chevy Trax Concept
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Speculation that the hush-hush global concept GM has headed to the New York Auto Show has varied wildly, with the Corvette SS a popular favorite among theorists. Turns out they're all wrong. The secret concept is actually three global concepts. Small ones, at that -- they're all minicars -- perfect for NYC's urban canyons. GM has released a photo of one of them, the Chevy Trax, and you can color us impressed. We love the chunky little wagon's look, with its big round lights and extra-thick Chevrolet crossbar grille. It's also got a combination matte/gloss orange finish that we'll reserve judgment on until we see how it looks in person.
Designed at GM's Incheon, South Korea design center, the Trax will be joined onstage by two other minicar concepts, and the public will be able to vote for their favorite one online at http://www.vote4chevrolet.com. That little marketing exercise will help the General gauge US market interest in the mini/city car segment as well as get reaction to the individual models they're debuting in the Big Apple. The Trax stows a 1.0L gasoline engine under it's stubby hood, and we're looking forward to getting up close and personal with the car next week.
Press release after the jump.
[Source: GM]
Gallery: Chevy Trax Concept
PRESS RELEASE:
Chevrolet Prepared to Unveil Three Minicar Concepts Next Week in New York
The Chevrolet Trax is one of three Chevrolet minicar global concepts that General Motors will unveil at the New York International Auto Show on April 4. Designed to appeal to young car buyers in urban markets, these concepts will prove that art needn't take a back seat just because the canvas is small. The highly creative concepts drive the energy, diversity and excitement of urban life into cars that deliver good-looking fun, fuel economy and value.
After the April 4 unveiling, democracy lovers will get the chance to pick their favorite by visiting www.vote4chevrolet.com and cast their vote for the concept they prefer. The results will help Chevy determine U.S. market interest in the minicar segment, and which design resonates best with potential buyers.
All three concepts were designed at GM' s Design Studio in Incheon, South Korea, one of GM's 11 Global Design Studios. Built on GM's global mini architecture, they demonstrate the flexibility, creativity and innovative focus of design in GM's Asia Pacific region.
"These 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 four-door Trax is powered by a 1-liter gasoline engine. The upper part of the exterior is bathed in Blaze Orange, while lower corner panels sport a Burnt Orange matte finish. The paint combination provides a look that reinforces the notion this Chevrolet is all business despite its small size.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
aaron 2:50PM (3/28/2007)
yey~ Minicars IN!! Big gas guzzlers OUT!! Trix seems to be small car that wants to look big. Nice face, nice chiseled body surfaces...looks pretty cool!
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Chris 4:32PM (3/28/2007)
Here we go again. Another vague "concept" from GM that will end up looking like a watered down Mini knockoff by the time it goes to production in 2010.
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cxvargas 2:52PM (3/28/2007)
Looks pretty cool. I see this car going against Scion and the youth market.
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BLS 2:52PM (3/28/2007)
I don't have any sort of wheel fetish. But if that is a mini car are those like 10" wheels?
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Tal 2:53PM (3/28/2007)
Rather like the contrasting flat/glossy burnt orange paint.......Stubby styling as well...kind of like a cartoon car.
Appears very small...? too small for 4 doors? Have to be small or very flexible/agile occupants.Perhaps more room than appears.
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DPC car videos 3:03PM (3/28/2007)
That's a neat looking car, looks much smaller then the Scion XB. This looks like a Mini Cooper size car.
http://www.dpccars.com
DPCcars
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Allen George 4:30PM (3/28/2007)
Judging from the survey page, the three cars are the Beat, Groove and Trax
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Chris 3:16PM (3/28/2007)
Here we go again. Another vague "concept" from GM that will end up looking like a watered down Mini-wannabe by the time it rolls out in 2012. Sorry to be so negative, but GM is letting me down this week.
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rem83 5:03PM (3/28/2007)
Thank you! I've been impatiently waiting for some new small car designs. Both Chrysler and Ford seem to be completely ignoring this part of the market. Additionally, the "mini" cars on the road today are still too heavy and thirsty for my tastes, and are getting worse with every iteration. I'm glad GM is really taking some interest in building a city car. Now if they could get it under 2000 lbs, I'd really be interested.
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Nick 6:33PM (4/01/2007)
Neat is a good word. I think they can sell lots of those. Its much more appealing than an Aveo.
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mr.ed 7:07PM (3/28/2007)
Cute. The dealers will love the little shitbox, on which they'll lose money every time.
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CaliberSRT4 7:03PM (3/28/2007)
It needs to look like a car and not a cartoon.
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B-NOIT 7:04PM (3/28/2007)
Awesome... Great to see something fresh in design as well as concept coming out of the General. I'm all for it.
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owen 7:18PM (3/28/2007)
WHAT THA F#%K?WHAT A TURD
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brian Mita 10:09PM (3/28/2007)
Mr. ed. you're right. it is cute. still if they brought this in at a reasonable price, the dealers may be able to stir up enough demand to sell it at list! America has been waiting for a hip small car to come from the big three.
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Buzz 7:33PM (3/28/2007)
Aztek.
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Ben 7:42PM (3/28/2007)
BUG EYED LITTLE FART ....
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jamey 7:59PM (3/28/2007)
was it just my computer or did this post disapear for a while?
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Milos 9:47PM (3/28/2007)
It's a render and not a photo. I comend GM for not making anymore SUV and trucks, but they didn't have to make this minicar look like a truck. It really looks cartoonish.
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phil4chevy 8:05PM (3/28/2007)
WTF?!? The only thing Koreans (i.e. Daewoo) need to be contributing is the manufacturing technololgy that helps progress GM build quality, like the laser cutting tech it provided to reduce panel gaps.
Design for American cars, should be left up to American designers... stop outsourcing!!!
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