Autoblog

2013 Chevrolet Trax still won't cross over to U.S. [w/video]

George Kennedy — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 12:28:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Europe, Videos, Paris Motor Show, Crossover, Chevrolet, Diesel

Though the runabout-crossover known as the Chevrolet Trax debuted in the interwebs in May, Paris was our first opportunity to see for ourselves the CUV that the U.S. will not get. Riding on the same platform that underpins the Buick Encore and derived from the Sonic subcompact, the Trax is just the latest entrant to join the cute-ute craze currently going on in Europe.

The Trax is available with one of three engines, starting with a turbocharged 1.4-liter inline four cylinder delivering 140 horsepower and 149 pound-feet of torque. Also available is a 1.6-liter gas engine and a 1.7-liter turbodiesel inline four. Though little information is given on the naturally aspirated 1.6-liter mill, the turbodiesel is rated at a "that's-more-like-it" 130 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque.

Both the 1.4-liter turbo and the 1.7-liter diesel are available with a six-speed manual transmission that comes with stop-start. All-wheel drive is optional, though it isn't immediately clear if it's available in all engine and transmission configurations.

Uprated trims will get Chevrolet's MyLink infotainment system, operable through a seven-inch color touchscreen. A navigation app will be available for this setup in early 2013, much like the system that will be available on the Spark. With rear seats folded flat, the Trax provides 48 cubic feet of cargo space.

No word yet on pricing or availability from Chevrolet. All we know is, it won't be sold in the States, and that strikes us as something of a missed opportunity. After all, there would appear to be a lot of space under the larger Equinox CUV at Chevy dealers, and the vehicle's dimensions and humble powerplants seem a lot more in-tune with the Bowtie brand than the Encore does with Buick's upwardly mobile intentions.

Scroll down to watch a video of the Trax in motion and to view the official press release.

Continue reading 2013 Chevrolet Trax still won't cross over to U.S. [w/video]

2013 Chevrolet Trax still won't cross over to U.S. [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 28 Sep 2012 12:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

GM to make Trax for Holden

Chris Paukert — Thu, 07 Jun 2012 10:17:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Paris Motor Show, Crossover, Holden, Australia

In mid-May, General Motors announced it would bring the Chevrolet Trax to the Paris Motor Show this fall. The tiny crossover shares nearly everything with North America's Buick Encore and the previously revealed Opel/Vauxhall Mokka, but there's an important fourth variant we haven't heard about until today - one for Holden.

The General has now confirmed that the Trax will also be produced for its Australian outpost, with Holden's Director of Powertrain Engineering, Simon Cassin saying, "Holden is well recognised within the GM world for our expertise in engine and transmission calibration and we are very pleased to be involved in the development of this important vehicle."

The Holden Trax, which arrives in OZ next year, looks all but unchanged from the chunky cute ute version wearing a Bowtie. Judging by the newly released rendering shown above, everything from the headlamps to the side mirrors and fog lamp trim is unchanged. The only clear difference? Substituting the now-trademark split portal Chevrolet grille for a chrome-browed single frame unit wearing a prominent Holden badge.

GM's own data suggests that the small SUV segment continues to explode in Australia, just as it has here in North America, with sales up 57.3 percent year to date over 2011, and it's clearly aiming to take a piece of that growing pie with the new Trax.

GM to make Trax for Holden originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 07 Jun 2012 10:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Chevrolet Trax crossover headed to Paris, not bound for U.S.

Steven J. Ewing — Mon, 14 May 2012 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Paris Motor Show, Crossover, Chevrolet, GM, Design/Style

If you're wondering why the name Trax sounds familiar, it's because we've heard it before. That's right, General Motors' chunky little crossover concept has blossomed into the production CUV you see here, and might we say, it's quite a handsome little thing.

Details about the new Trax are scarce, but since it looks to be based on the same high-riding platform derived from the Sonic that underpins the Buick Encore and Opel Mokka, so we'd expect the powertrains to simply carry over unchanged.

But know this: General Motors has no plans to offer the Trax in the United States, citing "the strong position of the Equinox" as the reason why it won't be offered Stateside. That's a shame, too. In our opinion, this baby Bowtie certainly makes more sense than the frumpy Buick Encore that doesn't really seem to fit with its brand. We suspect that Chevy dealers won't get this vehicle in part because GM wants to protect the Buick's positioning and price when it heads to U.S. dealers later this year.

The Trax will make its official debut at the Paris Motor Show in late September. For now, click the image above for a high-resolution version and scroll down to read GM's official release.

Continue reading Chevrolet Trax crossover headed to Paris, not bound for U.S.

Chevrolet Trax crossover headed to Paris, not bound for U.S. originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 14 May 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments