This is Chevrolet's attempt to appease the kids. Or at least some of them. The oddly named Tru 140S concept is the company's idea for an "affordable exotic." It's trying to get millennials interested in cars, so it figured something exotic was as good an idea as any.
The Tru 140S is built on the same front-wheel-drive platform as the Cruze, so it's technically a buildable car. Chevrolet says the car would likely feature direct injection and start-stop technology in a quest for the all-important 40-mpg mark.
There's no interior on it, but that's part of Chevrolet's engagement plan. It will display setups at the auto show where consumers can give their input as to what features and design elements they would like to see if the car were to go into production. We'll see how far Chevrolet takes the idea, but it's something a little different. And let's face it, that's what Chevrolet needs to get the attention of the under-25 crowd. More pics after the jump.
iancar says:
07:30 AM, 01/ 9/12
That's a good idea. But isn't that the same idea from Honda Vtec era (Prelude, deSol, Integra, etc)?
stovt001 says:
07:34 AM, 01/ 9/12
Chevy Civic SI?
spektre says:
07:34 AM, 01/ 9/12
Remember that Simpsons episode where Homer's brother Herb had him design a car that bankrupted his business...
Just sayin' is all.
throwback says:
07:57 AM, 01/ 9/12
Looks like how I imagined the Accord Coupe concept would look. minus the split grill and bow tie. Not bad, gotta think this is a go since it is built on the Cruze platform and thus could be built everywhere the Cruze is.
frank908 says:
08:02 AM, 01/ 9/12
@spektre
"Just sayin' is all"........is about all that odd comment is worth.
tomtom55 says:
08:17 AM, 01/ 9/12
spektre, if designing beautiful cars (IMHO) is going to bankrupt GM, then the Camaro shouldn't be outselling the Mustang for the first time in decades.
Love the look of it. I also find it appealing and I am no youngster. It has a Lotus look to it. I think the back looks a bit like the Civic but the whole package is much more aggressive and attractive then the Honda.
It's nice how the wheels are pushed to the edge of the sheet metal, and fill the wheelwells. Also the clean, smooth lines with no extraneous frills. Looks like it could almost be a mid-engine design.
Nice work GM.
bestjinjo says:
08:26 AM, 01/ 9/12
Stunning concept from Chevy.
vdodyn says:
08:33 AM, 01/ 9/12
Why would I buy a Chevy copy of the Honda CR-Z? ...unless it was rear drive. It would be a lock then. Why have the big three abdicated the rear drive market (with the exception of Musclecars and trucks) to the Germans and Japanese? For example, BMW makes nothing but rear drive cars, from the 1 series to the z4 roadster and 7 sedans. All of them are hot sellers, and all of them have no American cars to compete with them. This car (with rear drive) could smack down the 1 series market share for less than half the price ...if done right.
vdodyn says:
08:33 AM, 01/ 9/12
Why would I buy a Chevy copy of the Honda CR-Z? ...unless it was rear drive. It would be a lock then. Why have the big three abdicated the rear drive market (with the exception of Musclecars and trucks) to the Germans and Japanese? For example, BMW makes nothing but rear drive cars, from the 1 series to the z4 roadster and 7 sedans. All of them are hot sellers, and all of them have no American cars to compete with them. This car (with rear drive) could smack down the 1 series market share for less than half the price ...if done right.
gregnv says:
08:52 AM, 01/ 9/12
It looks great. If it is going to appeal to the <25 crowd it needs to be sporty, stylish, economical and utilitarian. Generally most in the <25 crowd that own a new car only own one car, so it will need to fit many (often competing) needs. It looks good, so check one off. Since it is based on the Cruze platform, it should have sufficient engine choices to go from sporty (SS) to economical (Eco). If it is a hatch, and has fold down rear seats, it may cover the utilitarian needs as well. I hope it works for them.
candurandu says:
08:58 AM, 01/ 9/12
Good luck seeing anything out of that mailslot of a rear glass...God, I must be getting old to care about stuff like that. Sigh...
fiorano5599 says:
09:18 AM, 01/ 9/12
Very nice; I had to double check to make sure this was a Chevy. I think GM should change the Chevy motto to "...goes deep"
altimadude05 says:
09:40 AM, 01/ 9/12
Please make this the next Cobalt SS.
spektre says:
09:58 AM, 01/ 9/12
@frank & tomtom,
Wow, you guys are touchy - I like the outside, I'm talking about 'crowd-sourcing' the interior design.
beermagazine says:
10:47 AM, 01/ 9/12
How is this a copy of a CR-Z? All cars have a basic shape and aerodynamics will play a much bigger role in a cars "design" than we care to admit.
This is a good looking car...FWD, RWD or AWD. Looks sell before anything.
csubowtie says:
11:47 AM, 01/ 9/12
Looks awesome. The FWD is a dissappointment, though. Similar to the CR-Z in that performance won't match expectations. But then again, there are a whole lot of people who think Honda's are the end all and be all of sporty cars...
camaro84 says:
12:31 PM, 01/ 9/12
Just looks like its copying too much that's out there already. If this is their plan to replace the Monte Carlo... I guess...
carl0ver says:
01:12 PM, 01/ 9/12
looks like the accord coupe and eclipse did it to create this good looking kid (with tighter proportions)
carl0ver says:
01:12 PM, 01/ 9/12
looks like the accord coupe and eclipse did it to create this good looking kid (with tighter proportions)
easym1 says:
04:36 PM, 01/ 9/12
Good looking car. It will surely attract a lot of buyers.
samster231 says:
07:10 PM, 01/ 9/12
That is just right. I wouldn't change a thing, but would offer some more engine choices.
smallfield says:
07:19 PM, 01/ 9/12
Like a Civic coupe done right. Maybe they can make it perform well too and destroy the ailing Honda company?
bestjinjo says:
10:23 PM, 01/ 9/12
candurandu,
That's the beauty of the 21st century technology -- with rear view cameras for $500 as an option, car manufacturers no longer have to sacrifice modern stylish for functional rearward visibility!
lolxd says:
04:33 AM, 01/10/12
The body of a civic, the front end of a Hyundai Veloster and the grill of a Chevy Sonic.
It's a good thing they didn't give it a silver paint job because that would totally ruin the whole look. It looks great. I hope they keep using that Sonic Front end in future cars.
The ugly Cruze grill just doesn't make up for the whole chevy sedan lineup.
chochmastergen says:
08:18 AM, 01/10/12
Its a baby Veyron. I like it, but this looks about as impractical to drive/use as a Veyron with none of the 260+ mph reasoning.