Two New GM Concepts: Bare Necessities Truck/Car

[DGthe3]

Originally Posted by Dr Jekel

I thought I heard him say a diesel hybrid type motor, but 40 mpg would be way cool. I remeber when they had this other concept that people really liked, what was it's name oh yeah it was a CAMARO.

I personally am looking toward an Avalanche, seem to be pretty cool.

That truck is essentially a mini-avalanache from what I understand. Interesting concept

Originally Posted by PolishMike

Why don't they just allow diesels to be made/sold in the US?

All over Europe there are already cars getting 55+ MPG (think VW scirocco) using diesel? Because it doesn't make any money for lefty politicians they push "alternative fuels" that are not as efficient as what we already have but CHOOSE not to use.

They are sold in the US, but you have to get a heavy duty truck to get one. Or a VW.

Originally Posted by stovt001

Except diesel is cheaper than gas now and VW is selling their diesel Jettas like hotcakes.

Yeah, I can't understand how GM messed that one up twice. They said the same thing a while ago about how diesel was so much more expensive when it wasn't, and they got a lot of flack for it. And with the war in Iraq winding down, diesel consumption should drop a little bit and cause the price to, if not drop than at least stay below gasoline.

[MikesZ]

Originally Posted by FenwickHockey65

I think the car might just be a design study. The truck on the other hand is definitely interesting and something GM should look into further.

I definately want to see that 40mpg small truck with the reversible bulkhead. That is awesome. I just hope they don't water-down the design too much.

[Paperer]

It's weird seeing this now, knowing the odds are we'll see them on the roads. I like the truck, but can they keep the V8 sound?

[zebra]

Originally Posted by Gentry78

and the truck one would be cool as a light weight 4x4 for a off roader

yeah, but you'd need a divorced t-case with that t-56, though

Originally Posted by Paperer

It's weird seeing this now, knowing the odds are we'll see them on the roads. I like the truck, but can they keep the V8 sound?

not without a v8...
even as balsy as my 4.3 sounded, it still didn't compare to having those 2 extra cylinders

[AngryAmish]

Originally Posted by Dragoneye

VERY interesting...certainly not for me...but this is as thinking outside the box as it gets. And for that, they get a very big from me!!

One of them just appears to be a very VERY small box.

The truck doesn't hurt my eyes though.

[Mr. Wyndham]

Update. Some of you may be familiar with "the Lab". It's an outreach program for GM designers to connect with the public and get feedback on certain projects BEFORE they get pushed to market.

Well, we spoke, and they listened...and they're going to firm up what they heard a little later, but check this summary out -- the concepts themselves show promise if the designers/engineers stick to the guidelines they heard from us.

http://thelab.gmblogs.com/lab-report/

Bare Necessity Car-

You want a super-efficient vehicle as the foundation, customizable for individual needs. Most of you feel that the idea of minimizing the vehicle is a refreshing approach that should produce a vehicle with strong character. This car needs to evoke emotion through its mission and its design. We still need to push ourselves harder to keep the weight down without major tradeoffs.
Bare Necessity Truck-

There is a huge demand for an efficient truck that gets 30-40 MPG. The flexible “do-it-all” Bare Necessity Truck has great appeal for many truck and non-truck customers. There is also an opportunity for an efficient, ultra low-cost, traditional small truck. Diesel engines were requested by many of you.

We understand, based on your comments that we need to nail down the size and package of both vehicles and the powerplant options are still up for debate.

[MikesZ]

Originally Posted by Dragoneye

Update. Some of you may be familiar with "the Lab". It's an outreach program for GM designers to connect with the public and get feedback on certain projects BEFORE they get pushed to market.

Well, we spoke, and they listened...and they're going to firm up what they heard a little later, but check this summary out -- the concepts themselves show promise if the designers/engineers stick to the guidelines they heard from us.

http://thelab.gmblogs.com/lab-report/

Very cool. I liked the truck design alot. Hope for a DI V-6 though, not a diesel.

[FenwickHockey65]

I'm fairly certain my dad would buy a truck like that to replace our Sonoma if it went into production.

[Mr. Wyndham]

Originally Posted by FenwickHockey65

I'm fairly certain my dad would buy a truck like that to replace our Sonoma if it went into production.

I would have bought that truck instead of my Cobalt if it existed...My Cobalt isn't exactly filled with features (I still have manual locks and windows for pete's sake)...if it gets the same mileage, I would have loved the added utility.