Spy Shots: GMC Terrain spotted looking all but production-ready
by Chris Paukert on Jan 21st 2009 at 1:27PM 
Click above for a high-res image gallery of GMC Terrain spy shots
Judging by the looks of this prototype, plans for a GMC version of General Motors' updated Theta platform are almost ready for prime-time.
Essentially the replacement for the Pontiac Torrent, this cladded-up GMC Terrain prototype reveals a masculine, blocky exterior with good differentiation between it and the forthcoming Chevrolet Equinox successor. A large, quadrangular shield grille stands proud while the blocky bumperette-style outcroppings in the corners give the crossover a bluff looking front end in a bid to reinforce GMC's image as a truck brand. In profile, the crossover has strong, squared-off wheel arches and flares that alleviate its otherwise slab sides, and the rear tailgate area cribs its cues from the SUV playbook, including an upright rear window, matte lower cladding and large, high-set taillamps.
Like its platform-mate from Chevrolet, we expect to see the Terrain debut with a 2.4-liter Ecotec direct-injection four-cylinder (good for 182 horsepower and an EPA-pending fuel economy rating of 21 city miles-per-gallon city and 30 on the highway ), as well as a 3.0-liter direct-injection six-cylinder good for 255 hp and estimated 18/25 mpg.
Our spies at KGP Photography note that the Chicago Auto Show has been a common unveiling point for GMC in the past, and judging by the finished look of this tester, a rollout in The City of Big Shoulders seems quite likely.
Gallery: GMC Terrain - spy shots
[Photos: KGP Photography]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
P.V. 1:33PM (1/21/2009)
Where's the gallery/link?
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Sea Urchin 1:39PM (1/21/2009)
Here's the link
http://www.autobloggreen.com/media/2006/06/evcrushed.jpg
TBlueMax 1:49PM (1/21/2009)
Here you go...
http://www.autoblog.com/photos/gmc-terrain-spy-shots/
P.V. 2:08PM (1/21/2009)
@TBlueMax: Thank you!
After seeing this, I honestly like the Equinox better. This one just looks too truckish, and while that will fit in as a GMC, I'm not sure how that will affect fuel economy. On the upside, though, it will probably have more usable space than the Equinox.
kashif_Zaidi24 2:49PM (1/21/2009)
Just another Chevy Traverse, Buick Enclave.
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race1foru 3:48PM (1/21/2009)
no, that would be the Acadia you are referring to.
Sea Urchin 1:36PM (1/21/2009)
More SUVs? Alright GM, you never learn do you.
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TyWright 1:54PM (1/21/2009)
Exactly. More SUVs built off the same platform with different names. Gee I wonder why Toyota just blew by you...
Torrent 2:14PM (1/21/2009)
If you don't want an SUV, DON'T BUY AN SUV. The people who want/need SUV's will buy them. It's obvious that GM has the interior/exterior design thing downpacked (thank god), and this will have more power than it's competitors (or a little less. no biggie) most likely a lot of space, and will deliver 30 MPG. This is a problem- how? Believe it or not, People still need SUV's. There aren't always families with 2 children and a small dog, and they got a mid-sized hybrid EV sedan and lived happily ever after. I was raised in a house with 5 other brothers and sisters. Sure, we would have liked a nice economical sedan, but our only choice was an SUV. A big ass V8 Suburban. No other vehicle would make do, except for a cargo van, and that wasn't on the list. There are still big families today, and they still need SUV's or Crossovers to transport themselves. You can't tell people to have less children. You can't tell people to condense their belongings into what will only fit in a sedan's trunk. You can't tell people what they want to buy, but you can make something that people want to buy, and that's an attractive, powerful, economical vehicle.
There are some people you just can't please.
Mazda FTW! 2:15PM (1/21/2009)
Seaurchin - How many SUVs does Toyota/Honda/Acura have?
Exactly.
Sea Urchin 2:17PM (1/21/2009)
Torrent, i grew up in a 6 people household, we had a 2-door coupe. Believe it or not we all survived without a 3 row, 4x4, V8, 2 MPG tank.
Nixapatfan 2:18PM (1/21/2009)
Yeah because Toyota and Honda never badge engineer.
Venza/Highlander/RX
CRV/RDX
Pilot/MDX
There are many more but I think most will get the point.
Torrent 2:23PM (1/21/2009)
Sea Urchin: But my point is- do you think families of 6 these days can go out and get a new coupe that comfortably seats 6?
Rob 2:29PM (1/21/2009)
SUV? Try a crossover that gets 30 mpg highway.
potatoeMAN 2:51PM (1/21/2009)
This is just slightly better than badge engineering. Like the GMC Sierra, this is another superfluous vehicle in the GM lineup. GMC does not, and will probably never have a product which is unique to the GMC brand. If you can buy a similarly optioned Terrain and Equinox like you can buy similar Silverados and Sierras, than this vehicle is a waste. I have no idea why GMC hasn't been given the ax. If the Hummer H2 was just a Tahoe with different sheet metal, then what makes GMC worthy of sticking around?
Jeremy 3:01PM (1/21/2009)
Sea Urchin,
Twenty or thirty years ago booster seats were not required by law for kids up to age 8. How many family cars will allow for 3 booster seats? Not many - and the mileage of such cars aren't much better than the crossover and minivan alternatives. Small cars are simply NOT AN OPTION for families. My wife and I have a Cavalier and one kid, and the rear facing kid seat nearly blocks the entire view out the back. Nothing against safer kid seats... just people who think they know what kind of vehicle meets everyone's needs.
bajabusta 10:52PM (1/21/2009)
...toyota debuts new Venza to everyones praise!! what ev.
stealthebeatles 1:43PM (1/21/2009)
Having lived just outside Chicago my whole life, I can safely say I've never heard the expression "The City of Big Shoulders."
Reply
ChopperDave 2:36PM (1/21/2009)
@stealthebeatles: It's from a poem by Chicago's (arguably) most notable hometown poet, Carl Sandburg. It's even titled "Chicago." He has a series of buildings on the Gold Coast/Lincoln Park border named after him (Sandburg Village) ... I'm surprised you've never heard the nickname. It's not as widely-used as "Windy City" or even "Second City," but it's up there.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago_(poem)
ijopihjpoh 1:47PM (1/21/2009)
The SUV thing is fine, "they never learn"? - its what people want! Only a liberal idiot would think they can force people to buy something they don't want.
Let me guess you want the Obama car czar to approve first??? Hope. Change. Hope. Change. Hope. Hope. (I feel so warm and fuzzy now.)
My problem with it is, why not put this money into the chevy version? Do they need two of almost the exact same vehicle? NO!!! Spend the cash making the chevy version the best it can be - on improvements and marketing.
GMC needs to go! It should only be for commercial trucks and buses, there should have never been a civilian GMC.
This is more proof that GM is still stuck in its old way of thinking and it has nothing to do with the fact its an SUV.
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