GM
Creates Nine All-New Concept Vehicles for World's Leading Auto Show Circuit
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| DETROIT and RUSSELSHEIM, Germany - In its drive to be the
industry leader in product innovation, General Motors will showcase nine all-new concept
vehicles at the world's leading auto shows the first half of 2000. The vehicles emerged
from GM's unique portfolio development process that combines design, engineering and
planning expertise with the sole purpose of generating transportation ideas with strong
brand character for tomorrow's rapidly evolving customer needs and lifestyles. Wayne
Cherry, vice president of GM Design and Portfolio Development, and Hans Seer, director of
Opel Design, said they have established a trademark look for each marque such as Opel,
Chevrolet and Cadillac, rather than creating a single "house style" for General
Motors. "Each brand must build equity, communicate intrinsic product values and
emotionally connect with customers," Seer said.
This set of concept vehicles diversifies GM's line-up through visual cues, proportions,
lines and forms, graphics, colors, materials, functional attributes and technologies.
"Although radically different from one another, the vehicles all share two
characteristics: versatility and compelling design," Cherry said. "We want to
elicit a reaction and ignite a passion for the brands through forward-thinking, user
friendly, must-see designs."
The concepts to be revealed at upcoming shows include:
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Los Angeles
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| Saturn CV1 (Brand style: Friendly Product)
-- A design exercise highlighting the interior in a multi-function vehicle offering
versatile passenger and cargo carrying capability in a safe, flexible, environmentally-
friendly package. The innovative design includes seating for seven with fold- down jump
seats, reconfigurable interior space, unique bi-fold doors and many customer-oriented
features. |
Saturn CV1
Photo: GM |
| Oldsmobile Profile (Brand style:
Architectonic) -- A new kind of sophisticated sports sedan with power sliding rear doors,
sliding fold-flat split rear seats and comprehensive mobile communications. Driving
control is reinforced by a supercharged all-aluminum twin cam V6, all-wheel drive and
Oldsmobile's Precision Control System. |
Oldsmobile Profile
Photo: GM |
Detroit
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| Buick LaCrosse (Brand style: Graceful) -- An
innovative and stylish luxury sedan crossover with surprising versatility -- it's quickly
converted to a carrier of oversized cargo when panels open to reveal its pickup-type bed.
The interior showcases consumer-friendly advanced technology such as voice-activated
controls and reconfigurable color head-up displays for driver and front passenger. |
Buick LaCrosse
Photo: GM |
| GMC Terradyne (Brand style: Industrial
Precision) -- A full-size truck in which capabilities exceed requirements. It's boldly
executed with powerful styling, fresh proportions and impressive cues. Terradyne embodies
professional grade quality in a five-passenger, automatic four-wheel drive/rear-wheel
drive, full-size megacab pickup. It takes away the trade- offs between a pickup, crewcab
and sport utility. |
GMC Terradyne
Photo: GM |
| Opel CVC (Brand style: Dynamic Versatility)
-- A lifestyle compact van concept based on the European Zafira. It includes an innovative
seating concept, variable interior and state-of-the-art aluminum engine with gasoline
direct injection. Fit for freezing weather and winter sport, thanks to full- time
four-wheel-drive and a roof-box integrated in the glass ceiling for storing ice/snow
accessories. |
Opel CVC
Photo: GM |
| Chevrolet SSR (Brand style: Spirited
Function) -- A stunning performance roadster that wraps 88 years of Chevy heritage in a
design that only looks like a truck. It has prominent front and rear fender flares, a V-8
engine, rear-wheel drive, great dynamics, a rounded power-retractable roof and lots of
space! Curb appeal that can't be ignored! |
Chevrolet Roadster SS
Photo: GM |
Chicago
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| Chevrolet Traverse (Brand style: Spirited
Function) -- Not a car ... not a truck ... but the best of both in this exploration to
re-invent the Chevy family sedan. Truck-like attributes -- command-view seating, all-wheel
drive performance, and utility – are applied to a spacious interior with tall
proportions and minimal overhangs in a midsize truck body architecture. |
Chevrolet Traverse
Photo: GM |
| Pontiac Piranha (Brand style: Athletic) -- A
performance driving machine that offers affordable driving excitement. This four-seat,
supercharged front-wheel-drive open air capable coupe boosts the individualization of
quick change interior trim fabrics, the functionality of rear access doors and a fold flat
tailgate, and the versatility of an open roof and a removable cargo carrier. |
Pontiac Piranha
Photo: GM |
Geneva
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| Cadillac 2000 Concept (Brand style: Art and
Science) – The ultimate luxury sedan with unmistakable Cadillac styling and
personalized "first class" seating for all four passengers. Complete with
infotainment systems, night vision, rear seat display screens, all-wheel drive and a 450
bhp supercharged Northstar V8, this performance sedan is designed to be chauffeured in
during the week and to personally drive on the weekend.. |
Cadillac 2000 Concept
Photo: GM |
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"We're focused on creating new product segments and redefining existing
segments," said Larry Burns, vice president of GM R&D and Planning. "Over
300 product concepts are brewing in GM at any time now. About 50 concepts are pulled out
for rigorous development and evaluation. The concept cars, trucks and crossovers we're
showing publicly illustrate the innovation and reach we're putting into GM's future
product plan." |
