Chevy getting new small, turbochargedcar next year

[mikeyb]

The industry-wide shrinking of US automobiles is in its infant stages, but new products are coming in a big fat hurry. GM is preparing a new compact model based on the Delta platform, and it will feature the General's new 1.4-liter turbo powerplant. GM isn't spilling the beans on the identity of the new vehicle, which will not be named Cobalt. We don't know if it will replace the Cobalt, either, but we do know that the direct injected, force-fed 1.4-liter four-pot could achieve a remarkable 40 mpg or more. The new engine isn't only efficient, but it's got plenty of pep, too. The turbocharged four-banger will produce between 120 and 140 ponies, and it'll likely have an attractive torque curve to boot.

The as-of-yet unnamed vehicle will be built in GM's Lordstown plant, which currently produces the Pontiac G5 and Chevy Cobalt. The new Chevy may also necessitate an additional shift at Lordstown, which would be welcomed news to the UAW's rank and file. The mystery Chevrolet compact will be unveiled this fall, with a production date of early next year. We haven't heard much regarding an all-new Chevrolet compact, so if this vehicle arrives in addition to a new Cobalt, that will be very big news.

- Autoblog

 

[minus28]

might this be for the Chevy Beat?

 

[122 Vega]

Chevy Vegas were built at Lordstown...

Somehow I doubt they'll bring the name back though...

Britt

 

[Flash5]

hmm could be good, if its along the lines of the new cobalt is a step in the right direction

 

[zoomzone]

+1 for a new Vega!

 

[coolmazda5]

might this be for the Chevy Beat?

Possibly...

General Motors Corp. is considering a new Chevrolet mini car for the United States as it reworks its product lineup to cope with a dramatic shift from trucks to cars linked to high gas prices, a spokesman said Thursday.

GM spokesman Dee Allen said bringing the Chevrolet Beat, which is about the size of a Honda Fit or Toyota Yaris mini car, to the U.S. is among the options the company is studying.

"It is certainly one of the things that is being looked at from a portfolio perspective," Allen said.

The Beat, to be built in South Korea, will be rolled out in other global markets faster than it would be in the U.S., Allen said. He did not know when the car might be sold elsewhere or in the U.S.

The car still must be engineered to meet U.S. safety and emissions standards, he said.

GM unveiled the Beat with two other ultra-small cars as concepts at auto shows last year, saying the trio was designed to attract young buyers in urban markets around the globe.

GM currently produces the Chevrolet Aveo sedan and five-door subcompact to compete in the growing mini car market.

The Beat is a front-wheel-drive three-door hatchback powered by a 1.2-liter turbocharged gasoline engine.

The company has declined to put a price tag on the Beat, but Vice Chairman Bob Lutz said last year that GM mini cars ideally would start about $10,000 in the U.S. market.

U.S. mini car sales are up nearly 31 percent for the first half of the year, even though the total U.S. auto market is down more than 18 percent, according to Autodata Corp.

Source:
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/07/03/business/NA-US-GM-Mini-Car.php

 

[genericuser]

the beat wasn't a bad looking little car.. I wonder what the price point is going to be.

 

[Lagg-Alot]

It is about time.

Well it is about time Chevy started making cars that people want to buy. A small Fast Turbo Charged car that doesn't require $200 in gas to go fast. (dark)