It may only be August, but GM is convinced that its 2002 concept vehicles are
exciting enough to show early, writes Marty Padgett.
The portfolio of concept cars for 2002 was shown to journalists prior to the
Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance last week. The new concepts are extensions
of brands that are "continuing to build their design signatures,"
says Wayne Cherry, director of GM design.
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Whereas last year every division, even dying Oldsmobile, had a concept, this
time around only three were shown. Unofficial word says there were more concepts
to be shown – that is, until Bob Lutz assumed the role of product development
VP. As to whether any canned concepts will be reinstated, a GM official was
uncertain: "Maybe one more," he said.
The three concepts are:
Cadillac
Cien: If ever a Cadillac showed ambition, it’s the English-penned Cien.
The name is Spanish for one hundred, and the Caddy’s debut at January’s Detroit
Auto Show will kick off Cadillac’s 100th anniversary celebration.
And what a way to celebrate: the Cien is powered by a compact V12 engine with
750 hp and 450 lb-ft of torque. In a feat of packaging, the XV12 concept engine
is no longer than one of the company’s 8100 Vortec V-8 powerplants and
features variable DOHC technology.
Through the use of Displacement on Demand (GM’s version of cylinder shutoff),
Cadillac also estimates the Cien’s fuel economy could rival that of a V8
as well.
The Cien’s styling is an edgy prospect, as if GM decided to build its
own Lotus Esprit. It’s also strongly reminiscent of Ford’s Maya and
GT90 concepts of the past two decades. And when placed against other recent
Cadillac concepts (Vizon, LAV and Evoq) and future production cars (XLR roadster
and CTS sports sedan), it fits perfectly.
Saturn
Sky: Poor Saturn. "Desperately Seeking Excitement" might be an
appropriate tag for the decade-old division, and the Sky roadster concept is
meant to address its current deficit of interesting products.
The Sky is a 2,300lb, four seat roadster powered by a four cylinder engine
and a five speed manual transmission. A hard tonneau cover and folding rear
seats turn the back seats into more cargo room.
The concept’s gauges are set in the centre of the dash and canted only
slightly to the driver, GM says, to give passengers a role in the driving experience.
The Sky’s proportions are somewhat squat and chunky, but the rear tail
lamp lens has a wonderfully subtle spoiler molded into its red plastic. GM has
already invested $1.5 billion in Saturn to develop the coming VUE SUV and a
new generation of S-Series compacts, so it’s uncertain if the Sky has any
chance of seeing the light of day – that is, except for an appearance at
the ’02 Detroit show.
GMC
Terra4: Easily the most practicable of the concepts, the Terra4 is essentially
a GMC version of the Chevrolet Avalanche and Cadillac Escalade EXT SUV trucks.
Where the Terra4 differs considerably is in the back and under the hood. The
load bed on the Terra4 has been made adaptable to the extreme, with a three-piece
removable hard tonneau cover, a tall composite tailgate and adaptable side fenders
that can be raised for side access to the bed.
Like Avalanche, the Terra4’s fenders are fitted with plastic liners and
access lids, so carrying a case of chilled sodas or wet gear can be done. GMC’s
new bent to industrial design brings the Terra4 nifty rectangular tailpipes
and a lower, thinner three-rib grille.
The powertrain is a parallel-hybrid that GM wants to put into production in
2004; it’s said to reduce fuel consumption 15 percent through engine shutoff
and hybrid battery technology.
