2008 SAO PAULO SHOW STARS
Chevrolet used the Brazilian motor show to preview a B-segment urban crossover that is now becoming a new trend
- Please define urban crossover.
It's a moniker used by car marketers for vehicles that combine the merits of saloon driving comfort, hatchback practicality and a high driving position of an SUV. Given its compact package, the so-called urban crossover is designed to appeal to city motorists.
- So Chevrolet has identified a new niche? Nope, it's a new-found, growing segment already occupied by some established players. They include the Ford Fusion/Ecosport and Volkswagen Polo Dune. Just in Paris this month, Toyota unveiled the Urban Cruiser and Kia its Soul.
- All based on B-segment car credentials, right?
Right. Urban crossovers sit a notch below compact SUVs (also known as compact crossovers) which are usually derivatives of C-segment members like Ford Kuga, Honda CR-V and Nissan Qashqai, as such. Future B-sized urban crossovers are Mini Cross and Mazda's rumoured CX-5.
- Why did Chevrolet choose to introduce this concept in Brazil?
The Americans say the GPiX (standing from global picture) is designed for emerging markets where road conditions are far from perfect. The higher-than-usual ground clearance helps and buyers like commanding driving position.
- GPiX seems more like a sporty crossover...
Although the concept you see here is a three-door, it's most likely to be made with two more doors - should the green light be given to a production-ready version. In fact, one of the early models to open up this segment was the Honda HR-V in 1999 that came with both three- and five-door variations.
- Could GPiX provide some clues to the next Aveo?
Highly possible since they are both intended to be B-cars. In fact, that imposing front grille on this Chevy concept is very similar to that of the Kalos hatchback, which is currently selling in Europe but not in Thailand. The front of the Aveo saloon could look like the GPiX's.
- Is there any chance of GPiX coming to Thailand?
You never know. Chevrolet likes to pioneer new things in Thailand like how it did with the Zafira mini-MPV, although it isn't available anymore. And since Brazil and Thailand enjoy the same status - both are emerging market - Chevrolet Sales (Thailand) could have a surprise in store at the end of the decade. The current Aveo wasn't an instant hit due to the Vios and City stranglehold on the market.
- And both these countries crave for ethanol...
Yeah, that's the other bearing similarity between the Brazilian and Thai car markets. Chevrolet hasn't released any technical details of GPiX, although expect FlexFuel engines displacing between 1.2 and 1.4 litres that can run on either E85 gasohol or petrol.
- Is GPiX conceived as a replacement for the Cruze?
No word from Chevrolet, but in every way possible. The Cruze (not the Optra-replacing C-segment saloon just launched in Paris) is basically the same concept as an urban crossover. In fact, Cruze - evolving from the YGM concept of the '90s - was a spin-off from Suzuki's Ingis B-segment hatchback and was once planned for sale in Thailand during the 1997 tom yum kung economic crisis.
- Like the Ford Ecosport...
Uh-huh. There was a time when planners at Ford were (playfully) thinking of making the Ecosport (name used in Brazil, Europe called it Fusion) in order to diversify into new territory as yet not occupied by the dominant Japanese. But today, Ford is going for the ubiquitous: Fiesta saloon and hatchback to chase Vios/City and Yaris/Jazz combinations. All the best.
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