Chevy's Tiny Trio

Three pint-sized concept cars from GM attempt excitement in a small package. The automaker wants to know which one you'd drive

Chevy's Tiny Trio

By Stuart Schwartzapfel

GM's largest global brand, Chevrolet, displayed three tiny concepts -- referred to internally as the triplets -- at this year's New York International Auto show back in April. It claims that the concepts, Groove, Beat, and Trax are one size smaller than anything ever seen before in the U.S. from Chevrolet.

Shaking things up
Small cars can fit urban lifestyles while offering great value and fuel economy. Chevrolet claims that the triplets are evidence of a new and improved global design language that has emerged from 11 separate design studios around the world. The design studio in South Korea was tasked with creating Chevrolet's micro-car concept, delivering three concept cars, each with a different flavor.

Beat (green)
The three-door Beat hatchback is the most sporting of the trio, with its crisp character lines, edgy shape, and sharp headlamp design. Like Toyota's Scion models, Beat is meant to be “tuner” friendly. The boy-racer aesthetic bears a striking family resemblance to Chevy's WTCC Concept and is powered by a 1.2-liter, turbocharged gasoline engine.

Groove (black)
Groove, the 5-door wagon, resembles its Chevy big bro HHR. Distinguishing design cues include a tall roof, upright windshield, short overhangs, bulging fenders and slab siding. Chevy calls Groove a “funkastalgia”-themed vehicle and points out a toughness that belies its small proportions. The front-wheel-drive Groove is powered by a 1-liter diesel engine.

Trax
Trax is an “urban crossover concept' featuring a low-cost, all-wheel-drive system and styled to evoke rugged SUV looks. SUV design cues include a massive, one-piece bumper and fender system in the front and back, a rear-mounted spare tire, and a roof rack. The four-door is the only one of the three that features round headlights, and is powered by a one-liter gas engine.

The Verdict:
Beat, Groove, and Trax concepts represent a solid effort from Chevrolet, inspiring excitement in a typically dull category. Chevy set up a Web site, vote4chevrolet.com, that offers the public the ability to vote on its favorite concept. GM has not publicly stated that the winner will definitely be put into production, but did acknowledge that results will help gauge U.S. market interest in the mini-car segment.

Schwartzapfel, a certified car freak, writes BusinessWeek.com's Concept of the Week column. He has studied the automotive marketplace and worked as an advertising/marketing strategist for major manufacturers. He does not write about any car brands for which he currently works.