Filed under: Concept Cars, New York Auto Show, Economy, Hatchbacks, Chevrolet
New York Auto Show: Chevy Groove Live Reveal [VIDEO]
UPDATE: Additional shots added to the high-res gallery
Click on the photo for a high-res gallery of the Chevy Groove Concept
Of the Chevrolet triplets unveiled at the Javits Center this morning, the Groove is the only one powered by a diesel engine, at least in principal. In reality it's nothing more than a styling exercise at this point, having no interior other than a steering wheel. With names like Groove, Beat and Trax, dancers were clearly a necessity to showcase these new cars and they were there in force.
The Groove is to be powered by a 1.0L diesel engine driving the front wheels of this "Funkistalgia" design. The platform of all three concepts is being developed at GM Daewoo in Korea. Again, if you'd like to vote for the Groove as the best of Chevy's three designs, click this link.
Check out the press release after the jump for a definition of Funkistalgia, as well as some live detail shots of the Groove in our updated gallery and video of the reveal after the jump.
You can view all the debuts and galleries from the New York Auto Show here.
[Source: General Motors]
PRESS RELEASE:
CHEVROLET GROOVE: PURE 'FUNKASTALGIA'
NEW YORK – Inspired by a "half-soldier, half-modern" military helmet, the Chevrolet Groove concept is contemporary and funky, but evokes classic Chevrolet heritage design cues like an upright windshield and prominent fender flares that give the Groove a strong, sturdy stance reminiscent of a retro hot rod.
Groove lead exterior designer Jawook Koo, of the GM Design Center in Inchon, South Korea, was seeking a mini design that was big on presence.
"I wanted to get out of the mini vehicles stereotype that is characterized by a weak, insecure and 'cute' appearance, so that consumers can feel safe just by looking at the vehicle," said Koo.
The Groove's design conveys anything but weakness. The striking matte Lunar Quartz exterior finish contrasts with the strategic use of satin silver exterior chrome details. Big, five-spoke 17-inch wheels pushed all the way to the rear give the impression of a vehicle that's much longer than it is, thanks to the short-but-pronounced hood and long, flat cabin, a design that provides for a roomy interior. Contrasting Vertigo brake calipers bring additional attention to the big wheels.
The front overhang includes open-air vents that are integrated into the front LED fog lamps, and the elongated front headlamps further "lengthen" the vehicle.
Getting this front-wheel-drive concept in the Groove is a highly efficient, 1-liter diesel engine.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Eric B 12:08PM (4/04/2007)
That's Chevy's definition of a mini-car??? Holy crap! That thing is the size of an '85 Bronco!
Are Americans getting THAT fat??
(j/k)
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RMc 12:15PM (4/04/2007)
I thought only the lime green mini-car had an interior? I see a steering wheel and translucent glass in one of the above photos. Is that just to move the car around (while someone pushes, or a with a golf cart motor?)
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Kaj 12:22PM (4/04/2007)
***cough Scion xB***cough cough...
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mikomi 1:04PM (4/04/2007)
@Kaj
*cough* Sorry, I suddenly had a coughing fit when I saw the picture.
That's totally the Scion xB/Daihatsu Materia.
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CaliberSRT4 1:13PM (4/04/2007)
Well this morning the groove was winning, but as of now, the Beat and Trax is tied.
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mojojojo 1:15PM (4/04/2007)
Looks pretty nice, like a mini HHR. I don't really like the tail lights though, chevy insists on putting round tail lights on their cars. On this car they break up the otherwise clean styling.
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CaliberSRT4 1:21PM (4/04/2007)
Too much Scion/HHR in one. And the taillights are ridiculously big and weird looking.
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mr.ed 1:32PM (4/04/2007)
Kinda interesting ripoff of a Stout Scarab. You could look it up.
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felipe 2:01PM (4/04/2007)
^yea, cause everyone ripping off those guys.
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Cheezedog 2:39PM (4/04/2007)
I like the general idea of this thing... Its a good idea for urban transport. But there is details that disgust me about this thing. The tail lights are a boring fluid shape... those A and C piller windows look like they where put there without a good reason, and how effective loading cargo would be with the high mounted rear door? Still the overall shape is not too terrible, the idea is great for urban city dwellers that do not have the oppertunity to push past a speed where wind resistance is to cause problems.
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EnviroBob 3:03PM (4/04/2007)
Looks like a further update on a 1939 Chevy Suburban, which I'm sure GM ripped the design off of Toyota for.
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Rick Lyon 3:19PM (4/04/2007)
That's the dodge hornet! They forgot the clear coat! It's has laser canons mounted by the doors, killer!
Actually doesn't look as bad as the mock up, but the production vehicle would not look anything like this, so I won't et excited.
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EnviroBob 4:01PM (4/04/2007)
Actually, GM's latest model introductions have stayed pretty true to their concept ancestors. The Solstice, Sky, HHR, and G6 have all been mighty close to their concept versions and supposedly the Camaro won't vary much, either. That said, no one can say there is no chance GM won't deliver vehicles that closely resemble these concepts.
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sd 6:25PM (4/04/2007)
How many times does the announcer have to use the word 'real'.. like, like, enough already
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green 8:24PM (4/04/2007)
These reveals are really painful to watch.
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Bob L. 1:46PM (4/05/2007)
Please read this article in the Detroit news. We need these cars here in the U.S. It does not look like G.M will sell them here.
http://detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070404/AUTO04/704040451/1364
From article "In an interview with reporters after revealing the three concept cars, GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz said it currently was unlikely that GM will build any of the triplet concepts for sale in the United States, unless there was a dramatic prolonged increase in fuel prices or an "unforeseen" change in fashion for small cars here. He also said the vehicles could be priced starting at $10,000 and could be built in either China or India. All of the triplets would get in the high 40 or 50 mile per gallon fuel economy range.
Lutz noted that the vehicles aren't currently being designed to meet rigorous U.S. safety requirements, another sign the company isn't likely to bring any of the three vehicles designed at GM's South Korean design studio to the U.S. market."
For G.M. to change its image these are exactly the cars they need to sell in the U.S. Please help publicize this.
You can also vote here:
http://info.detnews.com/autostalk/lettersindex.cfm?topic=Mini_Chevys&forum=autostalk
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Bob L. 1:47PM (4/05/2007)
Please read this article in the Detroit news. We need these cars here in the U.S. It does not look like G.M will sell them here.
http://detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070404/AUTO04/704040451/1364
From article "In an interview with reporters after revealing the three concept cars, GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz said it currently was unlikely that GM will build any of the triplet concepts for sale in the United States, unless there was a dramatic prolonged increase in fuel prices or an "unforeseen" change in fashion for small cars here. He also said the vehicles could be priced starting at $10,000 and could be built in either China or India. All of the triplets would get in the high 40 or 50 mile per gallon fuel economy range.
Lutz noted that the vehicles aren't currently being designed to meet rigorous U.S. safety requirements, another sign the company isn't likely to bring any of the three vehicles designed at GM's South Korean design studio to the U.S. market."
For G.M. to change its image these are exactly the cars they need to sell in the U.S. Please help publicize this.
You can also vote here:
http://info.detnews.com/autostalk/lettersindex.cfm?topic=Mini_Chevys&forum=autostalk
Reply
Robert K 8:07PM (4/05/2007)
I would take this car over the upcoming xB any time. Hopefully the production version isn't that much different
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