Chevrolet Unveils 3 New Concepts at New York Auto Show

Press Release

NEW CHEVROLET CONCEPTS ARE SHOW'S SMASH HITS!

• Chevrolet unveils three new small car concepts

• Beat, Trax and Groove star at New York Auto Show

• Tasty trio shows off Chevy's new global design language

Making their all-singing, all-dancing debut at this week's New York Auto Show, a trio of new concept cars proves that Chevrolet is in tune with buyers' demands across the world.

With the 'raps' well and truly off, the Beat, Groove and Trax could well hint at the next small Chevrolet to climb its way up the charts.

Created at GM's design studio in Incheon, South Korea, the new supermini supergroup were designed with a global market in mind, and by making their live debut in the USA, the newcomers underline Chevrolet's commitment to offering its product range across the whole of the world. At the same time they reflect changing tastes in the US car market, where smaller, more fuel-efficient models are recording more and more sales each year.

The most butch-looking of the trio, the Trax, is an urban-crossover concept - a car that would be equally at home tootling round town as it would rocking over rougher terrain. Powered by a small but punchy 1.0-litre petrol engine, it features knock-resistant moulded bumpers, a rear-mounted spare wheel and funky 16-inch alloys.

Inside, it's even more functional, with a fold-flat load area and high roofline adding to its practicality. But the really clever part is its all-wheel drive system, which features an independent battery pack and electric motor to drive the rear wheels, providing a low-cost, easy-to-fit four-wheel drive set-up with no negative effect on fuel consumption.

The Groove, on the other hand, has more of a retro-styled look, recalling styling cues from swinging Sixties hot rods to create a city car that would really stand out in urban traffic. The 1.0-litre diesel car's 17-inch alloys are in the extreme corners to help create a practical, spacious cabin, while the upright windscreen adds further to the interior's air of practicality.

Completing the trio is the Beat - aimed at a younger, even funkier audience. Powered by a 1.2-litre turbocharged engine, the three-door Beat has the look of a high-tech, high-performance small car, with bold-looking alloys, bright 'Vertigo Green' paint and mean-looking LED headlamps that run the entire length of the car's bonnet.

Inside, unusual fabric and mesh seats not only provide style and comfort, but also add to the car's feeling of space, while fibre-optic lights in the headlining give the car a relaxing 'sky-at-night' feel from behind the wheel - just the thing for those who want to reach for the stars…

Adding further to the Beat's musical theme, the standard stereo is replaced by a pop-up juke box, which rises from the dash and incorporates its own satellite navigation system.

All three cars were designed and built with GM's Global Product Development Process in mind, where the best practices around the world for engineering, styling, powertrain and manufacturing are combined to create cars that can be targeted for any international market, yet is responsive to regional needs.

That means a car for developing economies can be produced from the same architecture as one for Western Europe or the USA, yet at the same time can be specifically tuned for the demands of its local market.

GM's Vice President of design, Ed Welburn, said: "The Beat, Groove and Trax highlight the strength and diversity of GM's global design capabilities, as well as its ability to anticipate and quickly meet the evolving needs of diverse markets around the world."

And while any production car that could result from the concepts won't be going for a song, it's sure to represent the fabulous value that has made Chevrolet the world's most popular value car brand, with sales outside the USA increasing by over 150 per cent since 2001.

Chevrolet Beat Concept: Micro Import Tuner

Injo Kim was inspired by everyday heroes when he led the team that designed the Chevrolet Beat concept, which debuts today at the New York Auto Show.

“Every morning when you wake up, you yearn to be a hero that day,� said Kim, assistant manager of the minicar exterior design team at GM’s Design Center in Inchon, South Korea. And in Kim’s mind, that hero is driving the Beat, Chevrolet’s concept interpretation of a micro import tuner that’s “simple, free and casual, with a strong heart.�

The Chevrolet Beat is a front-wheel-drive, three-door hatchback wrapped in a bright Vertigo Green exterior finish that exudes energy and extends into the interior. The overall mood of the exterior and interior design is that of a high-performance, high-tech micro tuner car, with fascias, rocker panels, lamps and wheels enhanced for personalization, a strong trend among buyers in this market.

The Beat exterior lines convey speed, with a fast, dramatic, sloping rake from the top of the rear spoiler down to the hood, and elongated front LED headlamps that seem to extend from the base of the twin-port grille to the A-pillar. Integrated door handles set flush within the B-pillar give the doors a clean, uncluttered look. Big, bold, 17-inch wheels are pushed to the corners, and brake calipers in matching Vertigo Green provide a dash of drama at the wheels. The rear fascia carries Chevrolet’s trademark twin taillamps; these LED lamps are set vertically, extending just under the rear glass.

The high energy continues inside the Tachyon Black/Titanium interior with a wraparound dash in Vertigo Green, and a dashboard that features color-coordinated fabric. The green is further pulled through with contrasting stitching on the fabric and mesh seats. The black headliner features fiber-optic lights that create a “star� effect.

Young buyers expect technology, and the Beat delivers, with a center stack that has a pop-up feature. When pushed up, the door reveals a navigation system and when pushed down it reveals a useful center storage compartment. The premium Alpine sound system features six speakers and a trunk-mounted subwoofer.

“The sound system and the pop-up juke box will always make you the life of the party,� said Sungtae Baek, interior designer for the Chevrolet Beat.

Keeping the Beat on the move is a 1.2-liter turbocharged gas engine mated to an automatic transmission.

CHEVROLET GROOVE: PURE ‘FUNKASTALGIA’

Inspired by a “half-soldier, half-modern� military helmet, the Chevrolet Groove concept is contemporary and funky, but evokes classic Chevrolet heritage design cues like an upright windshield and prominent fender flares that give the Groove a strong, sturdy stance reminiscent of a retro hot rod.

Groove lead exterior designer Jawook Koo, of the GM Design Center in Inchon , South Korea , was seeking a mini design that was big on presence.

“I wanted to get out of the mini vehicles stereotype that is characterized by a weak, insecure and ‘cute’ appearance, so that consumers can feel safe just by looking at the vehicle,� said Koo.

The Groove’s design conveys anything but weakness. The striking matte Lunar Quartz exterior finish contrasts with the strategic use of satin silver exterior chrome details. Big, five-spoke 17-inch wheels pushed all the way to the rear give the impression of a vehicle that’s much longer than it is, thanks to the short-but-pronounced hood and long, flat cabin, a design that provides for a roomy interior. Contrasting Vertigo brake calipers bring additional attention to the big wheels.

The front overhang includes open-air vents that are integrated into the front LED fog lamps, and the elongated front headlamps further “lengthen� the vehicle.

Getting this front-wheel-drive concept in the Groove is a highly efficient, 1-liter diesel engine.

CHEVROLET TRAX: URBAN CROSSOVER

Active buyers who want to get in touch with their sportier side – or who just want to navigate the urban jungle in a sportier ride – will make tracks to the Chevrolet Trax, an urban front-wheel-drive crossover concept with a twist: This micro SUV has an electric limited-slip differential that features an independent battery pack and an electric motor to drive the rear wheels, providing a low-cost all-wheel-drive system.

The four-door Trax is bathed in a Blaze Orange exterior finish, with rugged Burnt Orange accents on the front and rear corners that reinforce the notion this Chevrolet is all business despite its small size. Simple door lines make getting in and out easier; and fold-flat rear seats add functionality.

Other features that suit its dynamic and off-road character include a voluminous, single-unit bumper and fender in front and rear, a pronounced front wheel arch shape, dynamic side character lines, a rear-mounted spare tire and roof rack. Brake calipers in Flame Yellow infuse additional attitude. The package rides on 16-inch wheels and Kumho tires for precise ride and handling.

The Trax is powered by a 1-liter gasoline engine.

“The Trax is a vehicle that you can show off anywhere, be it off-road or on the road,� said Sangyeon Cho, manager of the min icar exterior design team at the GM Design Center in Inchon , South Korea . “It brings a rational combination of SUV design, function, performance and value to the consumer.�