First look: Chev's Brazilian crossover

[Oracle of Delphi]

Brazilian-born: GPiX Chevrolet concept is a two-door compact SUV.

Chevrolet previews an SUV coupe designed for the South American market

By DAVID HASSALL 4 November 2008

GENERAL Motors last week revealed a BMW X6-style two-door compact SUV concept with a view to production for the emerging South American market.

The youth-oriented Chevrolet GPiX crossover coupe concept was produced by GM’s Brazilian design studio, which is being tripled in size at a cost of US$36 million ($53.2 million) to play a bigger role in global development programs.

Presented at the Sao Paulo motor show, the Chevrolet concept rides on relatively modest 17-inch wheels and features LED headlights, a panoramic glass roof, four fold-flat seats and connectivity for a variety of entertainment and communication devices.

“With this project, the Chevrolet GPiX could result in the development of many models for Brazil and the region,” said GM Brazil president Jaime Ardila.

Link: http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mellor.nsf...hevrolet%20gpix

Edited November 7, 2008 by Pontiac Custom-S

[ToniCipriani]

I see some similarities to the new spied Equinox.

[CARBIZ]

This trucklet would sell well here.....................

[Robert Hall]

The new Blazer, eh? (They still use that name in Brasil). Looks like a Traverse front w/ an Astra greenhouse.

[regfootball]

me likey! reminds me of the astra!

is this like the same thing as the saab 9-4x? take the car and jack it up and throw AWD under it?

I bet the assholes at GMNA would never bring it here.

[AAS]

Looks like the Antara concept (2-door, small cross-over) that we saw years ago...

[Croc]

Looks like the Antara concept (2-door, small cross-over) that we saw years ago...

Bring it to the States as a Blazer. Couldn't possibly hurt. Captiva could be the Equinox.

Edited November 7, 2008 by Croc

[ZL-1]

So... would this be the 1st sight of the Gamma crossover that was mentioned on these boards (IIRC by thegriffon)?

[ocnblu]

That's a cute little buggy. It definitely could be a spiritual successor to the 2-door S-10 Blazers, of which I bet 95% of them never saw any offroading anyway. I say bring it... maybe the next Montana will have this front half? That would be a cool tiny trucklet, imo.

[saturnd00d]

It also reminds me of the Antara GTC concept. Quite a bit actually. I like it alot.

[thegriffon]

So... would this be the 1st sight of the Gamma crossover that was mentioned on these boards (IIRC by thegriffon)?

Very probably, although the press has apparently missed that entirely, suggesting Delta instead. The timing and size screams Gamma however. Expect the volume production model to have 4/5 doors though, not 2/3.

[thegriffon]

Many more photos and info at:

Chevrolet Reveals the GPiX Crossover Coupe Concept

[ocnblu]

You slipped "volume" in there in front of "production", I hope this 3-door is built to accompany the 5 door. AFAIK, no one makes a sporty 3-door vehicle like this.

[ZL-1]

Very probably, although the press has apparently missed that entirely, suggesting Delta instead. The timing and size screams Gamma however. Expect the volume production model to have 4/5 doors though, not 2/3.

Yeah, I'd expect a 5-door vehicle in that segment.

I've been wanting to see the final version of the MINI crossover, but if GM, Ford, FIAT, etc come up with interesting small crossovers I'll be taking a look at those as well.

[thegriffon]

Ahh, a few do, but they're not widely available, and AFAIK, don't sell very well.

Three-door SUVs/Crossovers:

Mitsubishi Pajero Mini (aka Nissan Kix)

Suzuki Jimny

Suzuki Jimny Sierra

Santana 300 (earlier Suzuki Sierra)

UFO Paisaje (G2 RAV4)

Auverland A3 (military)

Jeep Wrangler

Land Rover Defender

Troller T4

Suzuki Grand Vitara

Mercedes G-Class

Santana Anibal (aka Iveco Campagnola/Massif)

Toyota LandCruiser Prado

Mitsubishi Pajero

Landwind X9

Nissan Patrol

Toyota FJCruiser

[thegriffon]

There used to be a lot more, and most of those left are old.

[ocnblu]

This is more like a donked Corsa, though... cooler than a "genuine" 2-door SUV.

[thegriffon]

;-) It is exactly like an offroad Corsa, bearing in mind that the last Corsa's Gamma platform was stretched to a 2.7 m wheelbase (as much as the Vectra and Captiva) for some products.

[Mule Bakersdozen LS]

So what would the point of stretched Gamma be when there's Delta and Theta 106? They should consolidate it to one cause it makes no sense otherwise when all in all its a front-drive passenger car underneath anyway...GPix looks good though, if unoriginal aft of the doors, but at least its not ugly on Honda Fit or such levels....

[FUTURE_OF_GM]

Wow.

It sure is an ugly little mofo....

Same organ-o-bland "I could've come from 5 other car companies as well" GME styling.

Reminds me a lot of the current Vibe (Yet people here seem to hate that car and love this one)

Edited November 10, 2008 by FUTURE_OF_GM

[thegriffon]

So what would the point of stretched Gamma be when there's Delta and Theta 106? They should consolidate it to one cause it makes no sense otherwise when all in all its a front-drive passenger car underneath anyway...GPix looks good though, if unoriginal aft of the doors, but at least its not ugly on Honda Fit or such levels....

Weight and cost. Gamma is designed only for 4-cylinder engines, so doesn't need to be designed for the weight and power of a V6 (Theta) or the space requirements of the larger Family II 4-cylinders (Delta). At the same time the stretched Gammas (Montana and Combo) are Corsa-based, and share a lot of sheetmetal as well as structure. With less structure devoted to support the engine and powertrain, more can go in to enhancing payload, key for commercial vehicles such as the Montana and Combo. A Montana has a payload capacity greater than many compact and fullsize trucks sold in the US.