It's a vehicle class which is highly absent from North American roads. It's called the "minicar" and it's hugely popular in Europe, with many models to choose from. In fact, some would even say the minicar is one of the most prominent ways in which drivers have adapted to sky-high gas prices.
Today's consumer as a whole is mostly insensitive to gouging at the pumps- but that's not stopping General Motors from introducing three unique new minicar concepts at the New York Auto Show.
TheChevrolet Trax is designed to appeal to young people in urban markets, the Traxsets out to prove that little machines can pack great big style. The one litreengine may be tiny, but overall, Trax is an exciting, energetic and creativelooking machine. None of it looks to so outlandishly concept-oriented that itcouldn't be produced either.
The Chevrolet Beat, athree-door hatchback, evokes the styling and design of a zippy micro importtuner. The mini Beat is spicy on theoutside but premium on the inside. It is loaded with high-end stuff including navigationsystem and premium audio equipment. TheBeat is powered by a 1.2-liter turbocharged gasoline engine mated to anautomatic transmission which sends the energy to the front wheels.
TheChevroletGroove, a GM proclaimed "funkastalgia"-themed vehicle is atough/cute retro-inspired mini-car with big and bad fenders and an uprightwindshield. Because of its short hood and oversized cabin, it looks much longerthan it is. The front-drive Groove is motivated by an efficient 1-liter diesel engine.
Before thishappens, GM is opening its website for votes at www.vote4chevrolet.com.Visitors will have the chance to choose which concept they were most impressed with,and the results will help determine market interest in the machines.
"These concepts highlight the strength and diversity of GM's Global Designcapabilities, as well as the ability of our Global Product Development team toanticipate and quickly meet the evolving needs of our diverse markets aroundthe world," said Ed Welburn, VP of GM's global design.
All three concepts were penned in Incheon,South Korea
photo:General Motors
Today's consumer as a whole is mostly insensitive to gouging at the pumps- but that's not stopping General Motors from introducing three unique new minicar concepts at the New York Auto Show.
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| Chevrolet Trax |
TheChevrolet Trax is designed to appeal to young people in urban markets, the Traxsets out to prove that little machines can pack great big style. The one litreengine may be tiny, but overall, Trax is an exciting, energetic and creativelooking machine. None of it looks to so outlandishly concept-oriented that itcouldn't be produced either.
The Chevrolet Beat, athree-door hatchback, evokes the styling and design of a zippy micro importtuner. The mini Beat is spicy on theoutside but premium on the inside. It is loaded with high-end stuff including navigationsystem and premium audio equipment. TheBeat is powered by a 1.2-liter turbocharged gasoline engine mated to anautomatic transmission which sends the energy to the front wheels.
TheChevroletGroove, a GM proclaimed "funkastalgia"-themed vehicle is atough/cute retro-inspired mini-car with big and bad fenders and an uprightwindshield. Because of its short hood and oversized cabin, it looks much longerthan it is. The front-drive Groove is motivated by an efficient 1-liter diesel engine.
Before thishappens, GM is opening its website for votes at www.vote4chevrolet.com.Visitors will have the chance to choose which concept they were most impressed with,and the results will help determine market interest in the machines.
"These concepts highlight the strength and diversity of GM's Global Designcapabilities, as well as the ability of our Global Product Development team toanticipate and quickly meet the evolving needs of our diverse markets aroundthe world," said Ed Welburn, VP of GM's global design.
All three concepts were penned in Incheon,
photo:General Motors