NY Preview: Chevrolet Trax, Beat & Groove Minicar Concepts

GM’s giving you the chance to vote on one of these three Korean designed concepts by visiting www.vote4chevrolet.com so that you can assist Chevrolet determine which design/capability package resonates best with potential US buyers. So we have the sporty green-color 3door Beat equipped with a 1.2 Turbo engine, the dark grey-color Scion-HHR half-bread Groove that wears a 1-liter diesel engine and finally the crossover look-alike that we first saw a few days ago, the Trax equipped with a 1-liter petrol motor. -Click “Read More…” below to see the press release and a high-res image gallery

Press Release: Size Doesn't Matter: Three Chevrolet Global Minicar Concepts Pack A Lot Of Personality And Style Per Mile

NEW YORK – Three Chevrolet minicar global concepts designed to appeal to young car buyers in urban markets prove that art needn’t take a back seat just because the canvas is small. Revealed today at the New York Auto Show, the highly creative Chevrolet Beat, Chevrolet Groove and Chevrolet Trax concepts drive the energy, diversity and excitement of urban life into cars that deliver good-looking fun, fuel economy and value.

Democracy lovers will even get the chance to pick their favorite by visiting www.vote4chevrolet.com and casting their vote for the Beat, Groove or Trax. The results will help Chevrolet determine U.S. market interest in the minicar segment, and which design/capability package resonates best with potential buyers.

All three concepts were designed at GM’s Design Studio in Inchon, South Korea. One of GM’s 11 Global Design Studios, the designers in the Korean center are experts in small car product development.

Built on GM’s global mini architecture, these concepts demonstrate the flexibility, creativity and innovative focus of design in GM’s Asia Pacific region. The Chevrolet Beat concept, a running prototype of a micro import tuner, was built in India; while the Chevrolet Groove and Trax micro urban crossover concepts were built at the GM Tech Center in Warren, Mich.

“The Chevrolet Beat, Groove and Trax concepts highlight the strength and diversity of GM’s Global Design capabilities, as well as the ability of our Global Product Development team to anticipate and quickly meet the evolving needs of our diverse markets around the world,” said Ed Welburn, vice president, GM Global Design.

"The design team was so enthused about being given the assignment to develop the perfect small car for urban commuters that they created not one, but three interpretations of how this car may be developed for Chevrolet customers around the world."

Chevrolet is one of four GM global brands, meeting diverse customer needs in 120 countries with vehicles that range from subcompacts and family sedans to full-size pickups and SUVs and iconic sports cars such as the Corvette. The concepts revealed in New York, for example, offer three different fuel-efficient engines, including a diesel.

“The Chevrolet Beat, Groove and Trax concepts have the potential to expand the reach of Chevrolet – already a beloved brand around the world – even further, connecting with young buyers on multiple continents who desire fun-yet-efficient transportation,” said Chevrolet General Manager Ed Peper. “These are the same brand attributes that made Chevrolet a household name in the U.S.”

Here’s a look at Chevrolet’s three minicar concepts:

Chevrolet Beat : Designed to evoke the mood of a speedy micro import tuner, the Beat is a front-wheel-drive, three-door hatchback concept built to be personalized, and powered by a 1.2-liter turbocharged gasoline engine mated to an automatic transmission. It’s loaded with technology, including a navigation system and premium stereo.

Chevrolet Groove: A “funkastalgia”-themed vehicle too tough-looking to be “cute,” the Groove concept is a retro-inspired vehicle with bodacious fender flares and an upright windshield. It looks much longer than it is, thanks to its short hood and long cabin. The front-drive Groove is powered by a small, efficient 1-liter diesel engine.

Chevrolet Trax: An urban crossover concept that’s equally at home on the trails or in traffic, it gets a low-cost all-wheel-drive system and looks the part of a rugged SUV many times its size, thanks to a voluminous one-piece bumper and fender system in the front and back, a rear-mounted spare tire and a roof rack. Trax is powered by a 1-liter gas engine.

GM’s Global Product Development process
The Chevrolet Beat, Groove and Trax concepts were designed and built leveraging GM’s Global Product Development process, created from best practices around the world that integrate design, engineering, powertrain and manufacturing organizations to ensure each vehicle program meets its quality, timing and business targets, yet is responsive to the needs in regional markets.

As part of its global product development process, GM is growing the skills and capabilities of its design and engineering centers in several emerging markets, using key tools and technologies, such as a global virtual design and engineering network, that allows engineers and designers to collaborate with each other around the world.

Chevrolet’s global footprint
Chevrolet is one of the fastest-growing brands in the world, with a sales increase of 158 percent outside North America since 2001. Chevrolet sold 4.3 million vehicles worldwide in 2006, 2.8 million – or 65 percent – in the United States. From 2005 to 2006, Chevrolet’s sales grew 19 percent in the Latin America, Africa and the Middle East region; 19 percent in the Asia/Pacific region; and 15 percent in Europe.

The Chevrolet Aveo sedan and five-door subcompact, engineered and built in South Korea, is a strong contender in the very competitive global small car market.

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GENEVA: Honda Small Hybrid Sports Concept

This concepts previews Honda’s vision for a fully hybrid future where we’ll be able to buy cars that combine fun with environmental friendliness. Not too fond of the blunt design, but I do like the way Honda’s thinking. The 4.0 m long design study is conceived around a front-wheel drive, small car platform and its powered by a Honda IMA 4-cylinder petrol/electric hybrid system driving through a CVT transmission. -Continued: Click “Read More…” below to see the official press release a high-res images

PRESS RELEASE: HONDA SMALL HYBRID SPORTS CONCEPT – A FUN–TO–DRIVE, HIGHLY EFFICIENT CONCEPT MODEL

Honda's interpretation of how a future hybrid model might appear is making its world premiere at Geneva. Honda Small Hybrid Sports Concept, a design study model, demonstrates a unique fusion of advanced environmental technology, exciting styling and fun-to-drive characteristics.

The Small Hybrid Sports Concept is conceived around a front-wheel drive, small car platform and is powered by a Honda IMA 4-cylinder petrol/electric hybrid system driving through a CVT transmission. It explores the idea that a car can have a low environmental impact yet still deliver all the driving enjoyment expected of a compact sports car.

The aerodynamically efficient and curvaceous two-door sports coupe is characterised by short front and rear overhangs, wheelarches that wrap tightly around large wheels, and curvaceous, subtly contoured surfaces contrasting with sharp 'folded' edges along the waistline and at each corner. An accentuated, arrow-like nose features a full width air intake with Civic family overtones. This sweeps forward into a distinct protruding centre section complete with 'H' logo.

The Concept model's fluid lines are created by a steeply raked windscreen which extends back above the occupants' heads where it meets a one piece glass roof. This in turn flows rearwards to give the car its fastback styling, terminating in a distinctive and futuristic 3D floating glass design – a concave element which forms an additional vertical window. At its base, further distinction is provided by a 'floating' LED tail light unit that stretches across the full width of the car. At its centre, the glass panel extends downwards and contains an illuminated 'Small Hybrid Sports' name plate.

The Hybrid Sports Concept is equipped with 165/60 section tyres mounted on 20-inch distinctive rims. Their dimension supports low rolling resistance without compromising sporty driving.

Compact external dimensions lend themselves to nimble, agile performance on the road and help to ensure a good power to weight ratio. 4000 mm in length, 1270 mm tall and 1760 mm wide, and the 2350 mm wheelbase, in conjunction with a sports suspension, delivers stable and predictable handling characteristics.

The body is particularly aerodynamically efficient and compact. Rear-facing digital cameras take the place of conventional door mirrors. The Small Hybrid Sports Concept has been developed as a design study model by the design studio at Honda R&D Europe based in Offenbach, Germany.

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Geneva Preview: Honda to debut a compact Hybrid Sports Concept

“Small is big in Europe” so Honda rightfully decided to preview a compact Hybrid Coupe at the upcoming Geneva Show. Information on the “Small Hybrid Sports Concept” is scarce–apart from the fact that it was conceived by Honda R&D Europe based in Offenbach, Germany so for now we’ll have to do with that plus a vague rendering. -Continued: Click “Read More…” below to see the full press release on Honda’s Geneva Display

PRESS RELEASE: Honda at the 2007 Geneva Motor Show

February 5, 2007– Honda will be presenting the world debut of an exciting new concept car at the forthcoming 2007 Geneva motor show, as well as showing the fully driveable FCX Concept fuel cell car in Europe for the first time. A press conference will be held on the Honda stand in Hall 4 on Press Day, 6 March, between 12:00 noon and 12:15 pm.

Honda Small Hybrid Sports Concept
Honda Small Hybrid Sports Concept represents Honda’s proposal for a future hybrid model. The Concept demonstrates a unique fusion of advanced hybrid technology and fun-to-drive sports car characteristics. The Small Hybrid Sports Concept, which has been designed by Honda R&D Europe based in Offenbach, Germany explores the idea that a car can have a low environmental impact yet still deliver all the driving enjoyment expected of a compact sports car.

Fully driveable Honda FCX Concept demonstrates Honda’s advanced fuel cell technology
The fully functional Honda FCX Concept will be on display for the first time in Europe. The concept model features a newly developed compact, high-efficient Honda FC Stack as well as a long-floor, low-riding, short-nose body. It offers a comfortably large cabin and futuristic styling along with significant improvements in power output and environmental performance. The FCX Concept offers practical driving performance with a range of 570 km (Honda calculations when driven in LA4 mode) and a top speed limited to 160 km/h. Limited marketing of a totally new fuel cell vehicle based on the FCX Concept model is to begin in Japan and the US in 2008.

Next-generation clean diesel engine
Further technical innovation will be represented in Geneva by the company’s next-generation diesel engine that uses world-first technology to reduce emissions to the same level of a petrol engine. A revolutionary catalytic converter reduces NOx (oxides of nitrogen) emissions to a level that enables the engine to meet the stringent US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Tier II/Bin 5 requirements.

The catalytic converter features an innovative system that uses the reductive reaction of ammonia to ‘detoxify’ oxides of nitrogen (NOx) by converting them into harmless nitrogen (N2). However, unlike Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) systems which use urea injection, Honda’s innovative technology uses ammonia generated within the catalytic converter. Honda plans to introduce its next-generation diesel engine within three years.

Honda’s Motorsports challengers for 2007
On public display for the first time will be the Honda Racing F1 Team’s brand new race car, the RA107. Honda’s commitment to motorsport will also be represented at the show by the Civic Type R race car based on the just-launched road car. Developed in close cooperation with Italy’s JAS Motorsport, the Civic Type R is aiming for even greater success than its forebear, which has proved popular in European motor sport circles since its introduction in 2002. The car is being developed to Group N and Group A, as well as the new Group R specifications to be introduced in 2008.

Honda’s production models and accessories
The stand will also feature examples of the brand-new CR-V and Civic Type R models, as well as the rest of the Honda range. The company’s extensive range of accessories will be showcased on the upper level of the stand, including a CR-V Aero Performance Pack.

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Tokyo Auto Salon: Mugen Honda Jazz/Fit, Civic & S2000 Concepts

Even though the show lasts for a couple of days only, those Tokyo boyz are rolling off concepts faster than a DSG transmission changes gears! On its part Honda specialist Mugen revealed spiced up versions of the Jazz/Fit, Civic Sedan and the S2000 Roadster.

As with the majority of the Tokyo presentations, information concerning the cars is more limited than our knowledge of black holes so once again we’ll have to be consent with any images we’ve got on our hands -for now that is. Undoubtedly Mugen’s most impressive show car is the “Open-Top Sports Concept” or to make its simple a barchetta version of the S2000 with an eye-catching bodykit that we’d just love to take it for a drift –wouldn’t you?

Albeit less impressive, the other two Mugen concepts are the “Road to Racing Concept” which is based on the Civic Sedan featuring a bodykit reminiscent of the 4door Type-R (although that looked much cooler thanks to its polar white colour) & the “Fit Spec-D” which well, is a supped-up Fit (Jazz).

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Tokyo Auto Salon: Honda Concepts Video

We’ve already showed off Honda’s concepts at the 2007 Tokyo Auto Salon in a previous post that includes images and the official press release (yes its in English!) so we’ll spare you from any unnecessary blah-blah and let the video do the talking. But if any of you still feel an irresistible urge to see and read about it all you have to do is just click on the following link: Honda Concepts

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Detroit Auto Show: Honda Accord Concept

Definitely, Honda’s major attraction at the Detroit show as the Accord Concept not only practically previews the 2008 Accord Coupe but it also gives us a hint of how its popular sedan version (in the US and not in Europe) will look like. It might lack the distinctive personality and flair of an Italian coupe or the sheer elegance of a German coupe, but undoubtedly, it’s a big-leap forward (style-wise) in comparison to the current model. I just hope that they’ll do something about that “hideous”, truck-style mask…-Continued: Click “Read More…” below to see the official press release and a high-res gallery

PRESS RELEASE: The Honda Accord Coupe Concept reveals a totally new look for the next-generation Accord, along with key technologies for safety, fuel efficiency and performance, American Honda Motor Co., Inc., announced today at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit.

The styling of the Accord Coupe Concept conveys a powerful stance through its long hood, deeply sculpted lower body and fastback roofline. A six-sided grille and projector headlamps that recess deep into the front fenders contribute to an unmistakable and aggressive front fascia. Quad exhaust outlets integrated into the rear diffuser further convey performance and style beyond any Accord to date. "The Accord Coupe Concept demonstrates the styling direction for the upcoming, eighth-generation Accord," said John Mendel, senior vice president of American Honda. "As the industry's target for midsize segment excellence, the all-new Accord will set a new benchmark for safety, efficiency, performance, refinement and style."

A more powerful and lower-emissions V6 engine will provide higher fuel efficiency with the incorporation of Honda's next-generation Variable Cylinder Management (VCM) technology. Honda leads the industry with the highest Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) rating for any full line manufacturer* of 29.2 miles per gallon - well above the industry average of 25.3 miles per gallon.

As part of Honda's "Safety for Everyone" initiative, all next-generation Accord models will include the company's Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) Body Structure. Honda's ACE Body Structure incorporates a front-end frame structure that helps absorb and disperse crash energy over a large area in a frontal impact. ACE also makes the vehicle more crash compatible in frontal impacts with vehicles of differing ride heights.

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