Inside GM’s North Hollywood Advanced Design Studio: Concept Car Heaven

[ne_one]

Inside GM’s North Hollywood Advanced Design Studio: Concept Car Heaven
AutoGuide

November 17, 2010
by Colum Wood

On the eve of the LA Auto Show, General Motors opened up its North Hollywood Advanced Design Center to the media and so we thought we’d take you behind the scenes of this impressive facility, where creative minds are allowed to explore the limits of their talents before the accountants get involved.

The official reason for the event was the launch of the new Cadillac Urban Luxury Concept (ULC), which was designed to explore Cadillac’s first look into the sub-compact segment. Numerous other past concepts were also on hand, including one other previously unreleased model: the GMC Granite Compact Pick Up (CPU).

Unfortunately, or fortunately depending on how you look at it, we didn’t get far before we stumbled upon a wall of concept models in a very dark corner. All but one model was barren of a plaque, with that lone model being the now-defunct DTS replacement. Some of the other concepts share design traits with the CTS sedan and Coupe while some of the larger sedans definitely resemble the new XTS Concept. Across the top of each row can be spotted several versions of the same convertible model (a now-shelved second generation XLR perhaps) with some seriously art-deco flare. Also of note is a Pontiac concept that looks half way between the Volt and an Ascari, while another styling Coupe features a massive Buick badge on the front.

[ne_one]

The "Cross Over" photograph in the first image appears to be a compact SRX coupe variant, more along the lines of what I was expecting from an Urban Luxury Concept.

[flatblackstrat]

Both the cars on the bottom shelves are extremely sexy.

[paul8488]

Urgh, there are people that are paid to design and build prototype cars like that. I hate those people. Mostly because they aren't me.

[johnstarnes]

I would LOVE to see EACH car clearly, like the one he said was the dead DTS replacement.

[Evo69]

Sheesh. Why didnt Cadillac create full sized concepts like the ones one the shelf??? Would have created positive buzz in LA.

[paul8488]

Ah, I just noticed the arrowhead on the wheel center caps on the car on the bottom... it'sa Pontiac concept! Cool!

For some of the younger members, you might have heard of Pontiac. It used to be a GM brand, back in the day, but it was cancelled ages ago. If you're lucky you can still see some late at night. Under acceleration they sound like they're crying.

[TuffG929]

Next gen Escalade?

[majicbz07]

There are some pretty nice concepts there that maybe should see the light of day to explore the possibility of production, ie the there looked like there was a large 4 door convertible and and the large sedan that might have been the dts replacement.

[EJD1984]

Next gen Escalade?

Looks to be.

I did a little more zooming in.



Looks to have a bit of Isuzu Axiom in the profile and rear

[FenwickHockey65]

Better shot of it...



I think it's an old concept.

[BigAls87Z28]

Yeah several of us noticed that sweet looking Slade. We were told that the design was drawn up over 2 years ago. Interesting.

[EJD1984]

Better shot of it...



I think it's an old concept.

I don't think it's really an old concept.

Looks to be almost production ready, based on the the Lambda platform

[zete]

Maybe they should keep the Pontiac model and just make it the Cruze 2-door. That would also be a sweet convertible. No point letting a good concept die, especially with what GM showed yesterday. (shiver)

[FenixII]

I don't think it's really an old concept.

Looks to be almost production ready, based on the the Lambda platform

I think I already saw it in the design contest area....