Unlike most modern cars the Bel Air concept shares its flamboyant interior with its 1955 through 1957 inspirational forebear, displaying the new concept's most pleasing styling. Its understatedly elegant passenger compartment features a twin-element instrument panel, steering column-mounted gearshift and bench seats - just like the good old days. The seats are covered in soft high-technology fabrics, in red to match the exterior paint scheme. Also its front seats can slide forward just like in modern 2-door cars, for easier backseat entry. Overall it's functional and gorgeous.
While not a small-block V8, as in the original Bel Air, Chevy's new all-aluminum Vortec 3500 turbocharged inline 5-cylinder concept engine produces 315-hp and 315 lb-ft of torque, ample to break the rear tires free at a stoplight. A button on the steering wheel activates the powertrain control module to trigger a more aggressive spark and fueling calibration for maximum horsepower - nitrous anyone?
"This engine sets a new benchmark," Cherry said. "You can go from a super-efficient five-cylinder to a high-performance engine all in the same package."
The new Bel Air also incorporates a variation on the Hydra-Matic transmission theme, but the new 4L60-E electronically controlled version uses four forward speeds instead of three.
Unlike most of the current GM fleet the new Bel Air Concept was rear drive, and also like the original 50's icon the concept incorporates a traditional body-on-frame design. GM incorporated the hydroforming process in its frame rail construction, just as it does in its current Corvette and midsize SUV lineup, making sure it would be the most rigid of its type.