Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[New York Auto Show: Chevy debuts the Beat, Groove and Trax mini car concepts]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/04/new-york-auto-show-chevy-debuts-the-beat-groove-and-trax-conce/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/04/new-york-auto-show-chevy-debuts-the-beat-groove-and-trax-conce/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/04/new-york-auto-show-chevy-debuts-the-beat-groove-and-trax-conce/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



It's not easy to put your finger on the pulse of the buying public, so Chevy decided to hedge its bets and build three mini car concepts, the Beat, Groove and Trax, and is leaving it up to us (as in all of us) to decide which one we like best. The public can vote for which concept is most appealing by visiting www.vote4chevrolet.com. While there's no guarantee the highest vote getter will be built, it will help guide the development of a future global mini car from GM.

So here are your candidates. The Beat (green) is by far the most sporty of the trio, with its slicked back styling and comparatively large 1.2L turbo engine. Technically described as a "tuner" car, the Beat is meant to be customized much like a Scion to an owner's own individual tastes. The Beat is a front-wheel drive, three-door hatch with an automatic tranny to divvy up the tiny motor's available power.

The Groove concept (black) is much like a mini HHR, a five-door wagon with a tall roof and flat sides. It's extremely short hood, big wheel arches and nonexistent overhangs mean that every square inch of the platform is utilized. Consider this the most practical concept of the three. Also a front-driver, the Groove is powered by a 1L diesel engine.

Finally there's the Trax (orange), which we've met before. The Trax concept is the mini ute of the bunch, doing its best to feign even the slightest ability to venture off the beaten path. We wouldn't suggest it however, as those tires lack any meaningful tread and the ride height, while high compared to the other two concepts, could hardly clear a curb (if that). It's the only one of the three that features round headlights, though its four-door, upright, box-like packaging mimics that of the Groove concept. It's powered by a 1L gas engine.

Which one would we choose? The Autoblog team is split, though this Autoblogger would pick the Groove if pressed. We'll come back at you with more details on each concept, including live shots, in just a few short hours when the 2007 New York Auto Show opens to the press. Check out the preliminary press release from GM after the jump.

[Source: GM]

Gallery: New York Auto Show: 2007 Chevy Beat Concept


Gallery: New York Auto Show: 2007 Chevy Groove Concept


Gallery: New York Auto Show: 2007 Chevy Trax Concept

Continue reading New York Auto Show: Chevy debuts the Beat, Groove and Trax mini car concepts

New York Auto Show: Chevy debuts the Beat, Groove and Trax mini car concepts originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Apr 2007 00:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beatbeat conceptBeatConceptgroovegroove conceptGrooveConceptnew york auto showNewYorkAutoShowtraxtrax conceptTraxConceptWed, 04 Apr 2007 00:28:00 EST<![CDATA[New York Preview: Chevy Trax Concept]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/28/new-york-preview-chevy-trax-concept/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/28/new-york-preview-chevy-trax-concept/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/28/new-york-preview-chevy-trax-concept/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Click image for high-res version

Speculation that the hush-hush global concept GM has headed to the New York Auto Show has varied wildly, with the Corvette SS a popular favorite among theorists. Turns out they're all wrong. The secret concept is actually three global concepts. Small ones, at that -- they're all minicars -- perfect for NYC's urban canyons. GM has released a photo of one of them, the Chevy Trax, and you can color us impressed. We love the chunky little wagon's look, with its big round lights and extra-thick Chevrolet crossbar grille. It's also got a combination matte/gloss orange finish that we'll reserve judgment on until we see how it looks in person.

Designed at GM's Incheon, South Korea design center, the Trax will be joined onstage by two other minicar concepts, and the public will be able to vote for their favorite one online at http://www.vote4chevrolet.com. That little marketing exercise will help the General gauge US market interest in the mini/city car segment as well as get reaction to the individual models they're debuting in the Big Apple. The Trax stows a 1.0L gasoline engine under it's stubby hood, and we're looking forward to getting up close and personal with the car next week.

Press release after the jump.

[Source: GM]

Gallery: Chevy Trax Concept

Continue reading New York Preview: Chevy Trax Concept

New York Preview: Chevy Trax Concept originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 28 Mar 2007 18:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>city carCityCarminicartraxtrax conceptTraxConcepturban carUrbanCarWed, 28 Mar 2007 18:42:00 EST