Filed under: Concept Cars, Etc., Chevrolet
RIA concocts dream Chevy lineup
view the Chevy Chevelle Concept and more by clicking above image
The Revitalization in Action team has given us dream lineups for Pontiac, Saturn, Saab and Buick in the past, and now it is Chevy's turn to be transformed by GMInsideNews members ChevroletRevived and Fbodyrules. As before, the RIA lineup for Chevy includes a makeover of the brand's entire lineup, including new models not yet for sale like the Beat sub-compact and Volt. Also included are a couple of models not even scheduled for production like a mid-size luxury hardtop convertible named the Bel-Air, a sports wagon called the Nomad, a long-wheelbase version of the Malibu called the Caprice, and finally, a Chevelle Concept based on the rear-wheel-drive Zeta platform and positioned as a sort of Impala coupe.
The design direction taken by the RIA team appears to draw heavily on the Volt's style, specifically its sharply angled split-grille that is applied across much of the bow-tie lineup. Our favorite models of the RIA lineup for Chevy include the Aveo and Impala, both of which are heads-and-tails above their current counterparts in style. The entire project, however, is worth a read, as they not only include exterior and interior shots of each vehicle, but also details descriptions of their trim levels and powertrains, as well as the strategy behind their position in the market.
We don't know what brand is slated to go under the RIA's knife next, but the RIA site includes a link to a page for Cadillac that says "Site Coming Soon!"
[Source: GMInsideNews]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
AlexP 12:19PM (12/03/2007)
Too many icon cars, no utility vehicles (includes SUVs), Impala looks ridiculously retro/300/Charger-like, but I kinda like it, the Chevelle is essentially a Volt, the Caprice is unecessary, the Malibu's exterior is practically a carbon copy of the existing one, as for the interior there's just no way they're going to be like this 3 years from now, Bel-Air and Nomad, uh no... Just no. The Corvette looks like a Spider... Yeah. The Cobalt is Cobalt + Beat and Aveo assumptions are perfectly fine, though.
Their Pontiac dream lineup is atrocious.
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Frank 12:25PM (12/03/2007)
Haha I agree, that Pontiac lineup is awful! That Chevelle looks pretty bad ass though...
AlexP 1:15PM (12/03/2007)
Also, a 2.0L that only outputs (for the Aveo, that is) 115HP or 125HP is both inefficient and an insult to the Ecotec engine. I can say with certainty that the 1.6 could achieve 115HP, albeit with the proper parts.
Scotty 1:33PM (12/03/2007)
AlexP, re: SUVs.
"Given the vast size and scope of the Chevrolet lineup, we have split this lineup into 2 parts: car and truck, with the truck lineup to come later."
Everything else is subjective.
John P. 12:22PM (12/03/2007)
OUCH! I have to say, that Chevelle is amazing. It's bold, it's very American, and it'll sell. The rest I'm not so sure of, but I would like a Bel-Air.
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seoultrain 12:26PM (12/03/2007)
Oh, my eyes! what is with that corvette?
Rest of them look very nice, though.
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Todd 12:39PM (12/03/2007)
Haha the first thing I thought when I saw that Corvette was that it looks like a Chinese version.
Nick Wilcox 12:38AM (12/04/2007)
Your eyes have been spared :)
http://www.gminsidenews.com/naias/revitalization/chevroletria/corvette.shtml
Greek Boy 12:28PM (12/03/2007)
hmmmm, I agree with those above me who disagree with most of the designs. Just, ummmm...yeah, just ehhh!!!!
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Mehul 12:36PM (12/03/2007)
Pontiac line up looks awful and Saturn lineup is almost the same as the current and where did all the small SUV's go???
No new Chevy Equinox, No trucks?
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Mondo 12:45PM (12/03/2007)
I think the SUV/CUV's will be in their "truck" line-up which is to be posted separately.
Mehul 1:02PM (12/03/2007)
Yea but Saab and Saturn lineups have SUVs, so it does not make sense.
mavkato 2:08PM (12/03/2007)
the chevy lineup is a little bigger than the saab and saturn lines
Mondo 12:43PM (12/03/2007)
A little optimistic thinking the Aveo would compete with the Mazdaspeed 3, A3, WRX and SRT-4. The Cobalt SS has a better (but not good) chance. I do like the Cobalt though.
Don't really the Nomad/Bel Air but I don't like the HHR either. However, the engine options are good for the price so if they do okay in the twisties they may have something.
I like the expanded Malibu line-up. I say you ride that pony.
Not sure I agree with addition of the Caprice vs. expansion of Impala and Malibu line-ups.
A 500hp Impala SS makes me giddy.
Corvette is what it is, don't mess with success.
Hats off to GMI and their RIA by the way.
Mondo
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Tool 12:43PM (12/03/2007)
Excellent work across the various GM divisions. I love the vivid descriptions for each model, of what it is, what it stands for and how it can win against the competition.
We could only hope that GM sees this--I'm sure they have--and uses it for inspiration. I particularly like the idea for adding an upmarket FWD Caprice to compete against the Taurus and Avalon, while it adds the RWD Impala to take on the 300C audience, so that it doesn't lose the 200,000+ units of the current FWD Impala.
The success for GM is in being authentic, being true to itself, and designing stylish, world-class quality vehicles that do not compete against itself.
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Esprit bird 12:51PM (12/03/2007)
I actually like the Pontiac line, the G6 and G8 need some cosmetic looks done and the Firebird needs to look a little more different than the GTO.
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3000GT TwinTurbo 12:52PM (12/03/2007)
ugh, i choked what i saw that vette. that it truely aweful. Anyone else see Acura in that Chevelle???
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John 1:01PM (12/03/2007)
Cant believe I am about to say this... But i really like that malibu, although the corvette is just horrible and the idea of having the volt, the caprice, and impala selling at the same time is simply impossible... They all look good, but GM doesnt have the money to produce them and sell them all at the same time... Market share
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BLS 1:02PM (12/03/2007)
I would buy that Nomad in a second. Slightly bigger than the concept from a couple years back and the syling of the RIA is cleaned up as well.
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Freestyle4x4f150 1:06PM (12/03/2007)
That Chevelle is sweet!!