Will There Be ANY Surprises At NAIAS? GM Names Concepts To Be Shown

[Perian]

Link: http://media.gm.com/servlet/GatewayS...=2&docid=31412

General Motors Announces North American Debut of Four Global Concepts

Celebrities Carmen Electra and Mario Lopez Also Confirm Attendance at GM Style

DETROIT – In addition to an array of classic GM Designs, including the 2006 Camaro Concept (an instant classic) and the 1951 Buick LeSabre Concept (an iconic classic), four global concepts never before seen in North America will “drive the runway” with celebrity guests including Carmen Electra and Mario Lopez during January’s GM Style.

The Holden EFIJY, Chevrolet T2X, Chevrolet WTCC and Opel Antara GTC will make North American debuts on Jan. 6, 2007, in a pavilion on the Detroit Riverfront and then featured in GM’s exhibit at the North American International Auto Show the following week. These four vehicles showcase GM Design’s creative talent from four of their 11 studios around the world.

"Collectively these concepts represent GM Design's global vitality, while capturing the spirit of the brands they represent,” said Ed Welburn, General Motors vice president of global Design. "Great design transcends borders, and these award-winning GM concept vehicles are proof of that."

The four vehicles have arrived in Michigan from all corners of the world and are being primped for their Detroit debut along side some of Hollywood’s most notable stars.

Carmen Electra and Mario Lopez have confirmed they will join previously announced Cheryl Hines, Vivica A. Fox, Petra Nemcova, Danny Masterson, and Rachel Zoe at GM Style.

With an impressive body of work that encompasses television, film, comedy and theatre, Carmen Electra has emerged as one of Hollywood’s most versatile personalities.

Most recently seen on the “Dancing With The Stars,” Mario Lopez is a veteran of numerous television series including the popular sitcom “Saved By The Bell” and FX Network’s “Nip/Tuck.”

About GM Global Concepts:

Holden EFIJY – Unveiled at the 2006 Australian International Motor Show in Sydney, the Holden EFIJY is a wild 21st Century “hot rod” reincarnating one of Australia’s most famous cars, the FJ Holden.

EFIJY is a radical pillarless custom coupe boasting V8 power, a Chevrolet Corvette underbody and state-of-the-art automotive technology throughout. The ‘Soprano Purple’ paintwork highlights its curvaceous 5.2-meter (17+ ft.) body, reinterpreting the classic design cues of the iconic 1953 FJ Holden.

Chevrolet T2X – Developed by the GM Daewoo Design Center in Inchon, Korea, and unveiled at the 2006 Seoul Motor Show, the Chevrolet T2X combines the body of a compact sport utility vehicle with the exciting design of a sport coupe.

The light silver body of the T2X has a bold, masculine front with prism-style headlamps. Its taut yet emotional surface is highlighted by a dynamic side character line that rises up toward the rear. With 20-inch wheels that are situated outside the vehicle's body, the T2X has a very athletic stance.

Chevrolet WTCC – Developed by a GM team around the globe, the Chevrolet WTCC Race Car Concept was first seen at the 2006 Paris Motor Show. It is the vision of a new generation of touring car -- a design icon that bends the present World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) regulations.

Opel Antara GTC – With its four-wheel drive Antara GTC (Gran Turismo Crossover) Concept, Opel demonstrates just how dynamic and athletic an SUV can actually be. First seen at the International Motor Show in Frankfurt in Sept. 2005, the three-door design shows a particularly sporty interpretation of an SUV. Viewed from the side, attention is captured by the frameless windows that drop right down and contribute to the coupe-like silhouette.

[Perian]

Originally Posted by Perian

2006 Camaro Concept (an instant classic)

That's good to know.

I hope I feel that way when it enters production 2 1/2 years from now.



Should you not be in the Detroit area in January:

Holden EFIJY:
http://images.google.com/images?q=Ho...mages&ct=title

Chevrolet T2X
http://www.worldcarfans.com/news.cfm...2x-concept-car

Chevrolet WTCC
http://images.google.com/images?q=Ch...mages&ct=title

Opel Antara GTC
http://images.google.com/images?svnu...TC&btnG=Search
.

[Xeper]

How does it become an instant classic?

[Perian]

Originally Posted by Xeper

How does it become an instant classic?

Because GM Media said it will.

[Xeper]

GM Media knows all.

[Ming]

I really like Ed Welburn and what he's doing for GM. Global design elements that transcend borders... A truly global GM! I love the idea of GMDAT, Opel, and Holden concepts appearing at a NAIAS show. In the past it was like GM Norh America just wanted us to ignore what they offer in the rest of the world. Times are changing.

[genjy]

Oh wow. Mario Lopez.

[Ming]

I think you should make that your new Avatar, Genjy.

[Steel4ring]

[quote=genjy]Oh wow. Mario Lopez.




My thoughts exactly....Carmen Electra, she's washed up too.

[Aromanances]

Oh goodie celebrities will be there!!!!!! The only one I have herd of is Carman Electra. I don;t think I will recognize her with her clothes on so hopfully she will have a name tag . I guess GM is using the celebs to attract the lowest common denominator.

[ghughes]

efijy = new buick riviera + a vert based on its frame (see blackwood concept).

[Perian]

[quote=Steel4ring]

Originally Posted by genjy

My thoughts exactly....Carmen Electra, she's washed up too.

Maybe GM will name a Buick in her honor...

[nadepalma]

Originally Posted by Ming

I really like Ed Welburn and what he's doing for GM. Global design elements that transcend borders... A truly global GM! I love the idea of GMDAT, Opel, and Holden concepts appearing at a NAIAS show. In the past it was like GM Norh America just wanted us to ignore what they offer in the rest of the world. Times are changing.

Agreed Ming. I think it's a nice way to highlight GM's global reach. While they're at it though, they should bring along the Torana TT36 concept!!!!

Otherwise, while this news is good, I hope they show something we've never seen before outside of the fully revealed Malibu and CTS. I want to see something with fresh eyes like a G8 concept or a future Cobalt concept that might hint at the MCE Cobalt (and yeah, I know the WTCC could fill that role, but that's probably for the next-gen vehicle rather than the MCE update) or a possible RWD Buick to be built off of Zeta, etc.

Just my thoughts.

[Aromanances]

I wonder if Tiger wants to be seen with these bums?

[nadepalma]

Originally Posted by Perian

Maybe GM will name a Buick in her honor...

No kidding:

"Ladies and Gentlemen, here presenting our Buick Electra concept, Carmen Electra!"