GMC Granite to stretch people’s ideas of GMC

The “professional grade” version of the Chevy Orlando, Granite concept represents the smallest GMC ever built, if it were to go into production.

The Granite is GMC’s take on the already revealed Chevy Orlando concept, a new crossover-based utility vehicle, or CUV. GM has decided that the Granite is so unique, however, that it doesn’t fit an existing segment – instead creating the ‘urban utility vehicle,’ or UUV segment.

GMC did stick true to its roots with the exterior styling of the Granite keeping a very rugged look – slightly more bold than than Orlando concept. At the same time, many will likely find similarities with the current Scion xB’s exterior and the Granite concept – and that is likely no fluke. In fact, the two vehicles are virtually identical in exterior shape and size.

On the inside of the Granite GMC says it tried to make the vehicle like an urban loft apartment – or that is to say, livable, comfortable and stylish. GMC says that the interior was also inspired by aircraft-type mechanical instruments and precision tools.

GMC also took it upon themselves to equip the Granite with reconfigurable seats – a feature it believes will appeal to young professionals in need of versatility.

To move this UUV GMC supplied this concept vehicle with a 1.4-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine and matched it to a six-speed transmission for what it believes is a great blend of efficiency and sportiness. The transmission also features dual-clutch design for faster, crisper shifts.

GM to change Vette’s look

The Chevrolet Corvette has held the title of “America’s sportscar” for more than six decades now, but General Motors is going global for the design of the next-generation two-seater. GM has requested Corvette design studies from 10 of its global design studios.

Although the Detroit automaker has yet to make a decision on the design direction of the next Vette, it is considering several global design studies. Ed Welburn, GM’s head of global design, offered the challenge to 10 of GM’s design studios last year.

While the Corvette will always be America’s sportscar, GM is looking to give the next iteration of the performance machine a bigger global presence – particularly in Europe. The Corvette has never really taken hold in Europe – despite outperforming cars twice its price – but Welburn is hopefully the redesign will make the Corvette more attractive to European buyers.

The redesign – which is expected within the next two to three years – will also be important for the U.S. market. Corvette sales have dropped off 48 percent in the United States since 2008, with the average age of a Corvette buyer ballooning to 54 years.

“We have challenges in the States with the Corvette,” Welburn said. “The average age of the customer is really rising.”

Although the next Corvette will be the most global version of the sportscar yet, don’t expect the American icon to lose sight of its roots. “It can’t mutate into something that gets so far away from Corvette that it is no longer a Corvette,” Welburn added. Welburn failed to detail any design studies currently on the table, but did say the next Chevy Corvette would feature a much improved interior.

Hot Chocolate’s Sexy Thing: Cadillac XTS Platinum Concept

I believe in miracles;
Where’re you from,
You sexy thing?
I believe in miracles
Since you came along
You sexy thing…

Yes, this song was written about 2 decades ago exclusively for Cadillac XTS Platinum, this stylish luxury sedan. The beauty is powered by a  3.6-liter V6 Direct Injection gas engine paired with a “plug-in hybrid system”. Your eyes’re flipping? Well…A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) is a hybrid vehicle with batteries that can be recharged by connecting a plug to an external electric power source. It shares the characteristics of both traditional hybrid electric vehicles (also called charge-maintaining hybrid electric vehicles), having an electric motor and an internal combustion engine; and of battery electric vehicles, also having a plug to connect to the electrical grid (it is a plug-in vehicle). Eyes stopped flipping? Good!

The concept previews a new integration philosophy guiding the development of future wreath-and-shield models’ in-car electronics. The intent is to progress Cadillac’s intuitive in- car electronics systems from deployable touch-screen navigation systems in the CTS and SRX product lines to a minimization of traditional buttons and switches. Designers blended the display screens into a flowing instrument panel they call a “dead front” design, because the panels appear black until the car is turned on and the screens illuminate.

V-series Recaro seats, standard for Cadillac CTS

The Cadillac CTS is seen as a sports sedan, but there is something about it that makes you think twice before saying it is an excellent sports car: the front seats. But GM is about to change that as they will make V-series Recaro seats a standard for the CTS.

Cadillac’s Recaro front seats were previously an exclusive option for the high-performance CTS-V model, but GM’s luxury division will expand the option to include the standard-issue CTS for 2010.

Bugatti and Hermes team up for special Veyron

Car manufacturer Bugatti and fashion house Hermes have announced they are teaming up to create a special edition Bugatti Veyron.

The Italians at Bugatti are going to showcase another special edition of their 1001hp Veyron at the upcoming Geneva motor-show. This time they are teaming up with renown fashion label Hermes, in an attempt to revive the special relationship between Emile Hermes and Ettore Bugatti, dating back to the 1920s.

We’re probably going to see a luxurious interior, full of quality, stitched leather and embossed logos. Previous limited-edition Bugatti super cars have sold in just a few days, and we’re guessing this will have the same fate.

Bugatti won’t stop: Veyron Grand Sport Blanc Noir

Sang Bleu was supposed to be the last special edition of the French manufacturer. Well, think again, ’cause Bugatti returns to the charge. Please welcome Grand Sport Blanc Noir edition, which follows the trio of Dubai specials into the Veyron special sunset.
Apparently created for a high-end clothier, the Veyron Blanc Noir appears to be a one-off  rather than a limited-production run. Based on the targa-roofed Grand Sport, the Blanc Noir edition – spotted in California – is all done up, as the name suggests, in black and white: a matte white body with glossy black hood, wheels, spoiler, fuel filler cap and more. And of course, there’s the requisite nameplate on the lower front corner of the door.

We come to think if this will really be the last special edition…

Bugatti 16C Galibier Concept: Black beauty

Remember Bugatti’s 16C Galibier concept? Unveiled at last year’s Frankfurt show to a very select audience, the “four-door "Voryn” remains a concept for now, but new images have surfaced showing the Galibier in black, looking much sleeker than the initial car which had a two-tone blue and mirror like aluminium finishing.
Black allows us to focus more on the 8.0-litre W16 powered Galibier’s interesting detailing and body shape. The chrome strip that starts from the base of the A-pillar wraps around the doors and continues after the front wheels to make a loop with the other side, only interrupted by the imposing grille. The sloping rear sports four exhaust tips on each side and a spine brake light that divides the rear screen. This spine runs the length of the car – it looks like a fish when seen from the top.