Peering Into GM's Crystal Ball
Chevy should be praised for its new Silverado restyle. For the first time in a long while the bowtie brand arguably offers a more attractive front end styling job than cousin GMC. But compared to the Cheyenne concept truck that graced the GM presentation arena at this year's Detroit auto show, it looks decidedly dated.
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| The design of the Chevy Cheyenne wraps smooth complex curves around a tough truck frame, and could be a glimpse of things to come. (Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
The Cheyenne, Chevrolet's crystal ball look at a possible future Silverado, is as aero smooth as any light truck has ever been. A myriad of complex curves and swooping arcs soften what is undoubtedly an extremely tough pickup underneath. It's an entirely new, forward thinking vehicle, giving insight into what North American fleet managers, farmers and sport truck fans might be able to purchase toward the last half of the decade.
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| The Chevy Cheyenne concept vehicle was awarded Best of Show in the 2003 Eyes on Design competition in conjunction with the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, January 7, 2003. The concept truck also swept the three awards in the Most Significant Concept Truck categories. (General Motors) |
"The Cheyenne's mission is to provide a vision for the evolution of the full-size truck," stated Ed Welburn, GM's executive director of design for body-on-frame. "This vision builds on the equity of Chevy's tough and rugged image while adding more versatility and refinement."
While radically new there's no guessing as to its brand identity, the bold bisected grille looking very much like the current Silverado. Tall vertical headlamp clusters are flush mounted, wrapping up and around the side of the pickup's front fenders causing an increase in visual height. A reverse cant to the rear windows gives it an upscale, formal appearance, but overall the Cheyenne still maintains a sporty, almost athletic personality.