Autoblog

GMC Granite is dead

Jeff Sabatini — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 14:30:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Detroit Auto Show, Crossover, GM, GMC

It might have been a worthy successor to the Pontiac Vibe - a stylish, youth-marketed crossover - but alas, the GMC Granite may never come to be. Jim Federico, GM's small car exec, told Automotive News that the Granite concept from the 2010 Detroit auto show isn't headed into production.

Granite was rumored to be green-lighted for production, and would have been based on the Chevrolet Cruze platform, to compete with vehicles like the Scion xB and Kia Soul. We liked the concept when we saw it in 2010, but felt that the Granite was perhaps a bad match for GMC, given its small size.

While AN says Federico offered no further details, we imagine GM figures the forthcoming Buick Encore crossover probably doesn't need the competition in Buick/GMC showrooms.

GMC Granite is dead originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 11 Jan 2012 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Report: GMC Granite confirmed... again

Steven J. Ewing — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 15:31:00 EST

Filed under: Hatchback, GM, GMC

GMC Granite concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

Many moons ago, Motor Trend reported that the funky GMC Granite concept from the 2010 Detroit Auto Show had been given the go for production. Immediately after, however, MT stated that while it strongly believed that the Granite would be produced, the publication had yet to receive an official green light from its sources within General Motors. That changes today, apparently.

Motor Trend is reporting yet again that the Granite has been confirmed for production, even going so far to say that the road-going car will keep the rear-hinged suicide door setup of the concept. This new confirmation reportedly comes from a "well-placed source" within the automaker, who also says that the Granite will be built on the same C-segment platform as the Chevrolet Volt, Cruze and Buick Verano.

When GM debuted the Granite concept, it used the same 138-horsepower 1.4-liter turbocharged inline-four as the Cruze, mated to a six-speed manual gearbox. This powerplant would certainly make sense for the production car, though MT suggests that even the automaker's 177-horsepower 2.4-liter four from the Verano would be a good fit. Regardless, we'll wait until GM issues an official statement before we start gearing up for the first drive.

Gallery: GMC Granite Concept

[Source: Motor Trend]

Report: GMC Granite confirmed... again originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 21 Feb 2011 15:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Report: GMC Granite approved for production [w/poll] *UPDATE

Steven J. Ewing — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 17:59:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Hatchback, GM, GMC

GMC Granite concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

When General Motors debuted the GMC Granite concept at this year's Detroit Auto Show, it was a huge hit with both the media and public in attendance. A small hatchback like this would shake up GMC's legacy of only building trucks and crossovers, but it would be a good way to expand the brand's lineup and better establish it as a core part of GM.

Now, the folks at Motor Trend report that the Granite has been given the green light for production, though The General is still in the process of figuring out if it can keep those nifty rear-hinged doors intact. The Granite shares the same architecture as the Chevrolet Orlando which will be produced for other markets and will likely be powered by GM's new 1.4-liter turbocharged inline-four, possibly mated to a six-speed dual-clutch transmission.

It's still unclear when we'll actually see a production version of the Granite concept, but we wouldn't be surprised if a few test mules start popping up outside of GM's proving grounds within the next year. Can a tall Scion xB-like hatch exist under the GMC nameplate? Be sure to give us your opinion in the poll below.

*Update: Motor Trend is now saying that it was a bit premature in reporting that the Granite was a go. While MT still strongly believes it will be produced, it has yet to receive the official green light.

View Poll

Gallery: GMC Granite Concept

[Source: Motor Trend]

Report: GMC Granite approved for production [w/poll] *UPDATE originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 29 Jun 2010 17:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

GMC Granite concept's production fate hinges on door feasibility

Sam Abuelsamid — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 11:31:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Crossover, Hatchback, GMC

GMC Granite concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

The compact-sized Granite crossover concept shown by GMC at the Detroit Auto Show proved extremely popular with attendees, and the "Professional Grade" division at GM really wants to put it in production. According to new GMC product marketing director, Lisa Hutchinson, the main stumbling block right now is figuring out how to build the doors. The Granite featured the same rear hinged back doors that are commonly used on concepts to show off the interior.

The goal is to retain the door design for production to maximize access to the rear seat. However, the doors will have to be engineered so that the car can pass side impact safety requirements, an extremely difficult task without a fixed B-pillar, especially on such a small vehicle. The engineering feat has been managed before, as seen on the Mazda RX-8 and Honda Element, but the rear doors on the concept Granite would appear to require a larger opening than the demi-doors on either of the two Japanese offerings, making engineering significantly tougher. Of course, GM could still build the model with a hidden pillar à la Opel's 2011 Meriva, but that might compromise some of its appeal, or its utility if they can manage to build it with the concept's trick folding seats. In any case, GMC itself has shown that it can build rear-hinged doors, as it already has the Sierra extended-cab pickup, but that vehicle's body-on-frame architecture and less weight-sensitive construction could make that an easier manufacturing feat.

At this point, the fate of the Granite remains up in the air.

Gallery: GMC Granite Concept

GMC Granite concept's production fate hinges on door feasibility originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Jun 2010 11:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Detroit 2010: GMC Granite takes Professional Grade in a new direction [w/video]

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 10:59:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Detroit Auto Show, Crossover, Hatchback, GM, GMC

GMC Granite concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

Feast your eyes on the ~~next Pontiac Vibe~~ GMC Granite concept. We have to wonder if this car was originally designed to slot into Pontiac lineup before that brand was axed, as it doesn't really seem to fit into the Professional Grade image that GMC has used as a tagline for ages. Or, it could be that General Motors really is considering expanding its GMC brand a few notches down in size.

Whatever the case, we think the Granite is a pretty neat little addition to the burgeoning boxy-but-good small car market here in the States as currently defined by the Scion xB, Kia Soul and Nissan Cube. Unlike those production machines, though, the Granite is a bit tougher in execution, kinda-sorta like the Ford Synus concept from the 2005 edition of the Detroit Auto Show.

Take a tour of the Granite via our high-res image gallery below and feel free to make the jump to view the full press release. We also have video of the live reveal of the GMC Granite concept after the jump.

Gallery: Detroit 2010: GMC Granite Concept

Gallery: GMC Granite Concept

Follow our coverage of the 2010 Detroit Auto Show live all day on Twitter at http://twitter.com/therealautoblog

Continue reading Detroit 2010: GMC Granite takes Professional Grade in a new direction [w/video]

Detroit 2010: GMC Granite takes Professional Grade in a new direction [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 11 Jan 2010 10:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

GMC Granite concept offers professional grade bix box styling

Sam Abuelsamid — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 00:01:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Detroit Auto Show, Crossover, GMC

GMC Granite Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

As one of the four remaining brands at the new General Motors, the folks in charge of GMC are trying to come up with a reason for the brand to exist. Until now, GMC's wares have been to Chevrolet trucks what Mercury has been Ford - same stuff different badges. Over the last decade the marketing boffins have tried to position GMC as "Industrial Grade," but it's never been entirely clear exactly what that means.

As a general rule, GMC doesn't produce concept vehicles, but at this year's Detroit Auto Show that's set to change. The GMC Granite is being badged as an "urban utility vehicle," a compact crossover that could slot in below the Terrain and give the brand something relatively unique. GM hasn't divulged what platform underpins the Granite, but it's likely to share many parts with GM's global compact (Delta II) architecture. That means this Granite will have a lot in common with the upcoming Chevy Orlando, but with a five-inch shorter wheelbase and a few other unique attributes you can read about after the jump.

Gallery: GMC Granite Concept

Continue reading GMC Granite concept offers professional grade bix box styling

GMC Granite concept offers professional grade bix box styling originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 11 Jan 2010 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments