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Trim Levels
Base: LT
Up-level: LTZ
Sport: SS
Body Styles: Convertible Hardtop, Nomad SportWagon
Introduction
Based on GM's upcoming Alpha platform, Nomad and Bel Air make a comeback to the Chevrolet lineup as niche heritage vehicles. Both introduced as concepts a few years ago, they are produced true to their conceptual form, and designed with Chevrolet's latest styling elements. The two cars compliment each other perfectly, and Bel Air fills a gap at Chevrolet for an upper end luxury convertible with retro style. Four vehicles make up what we like to call the Chevrolet "heritage lineup", the HHR, Impala and Bel Air/Nomad. These vehicles are designed to draw on the appeal of Chevrolet's classics and bring them into the modern age. The "volume" vehicle of the two (if you want to call it that) would be the Nomad; and it's priced accordingly. The potential is here for some quite nice profit margins on the upper end Bel Air models. Nomad is quite the value for what you get however, and should find quite a few buyers.
The Nomad is the sporty model out of these two, with sportier suspension tuning on all trim levels. Bel Air, the more expensive and luxurious model, is a luxury hardtop that's all about style. Inside, these two are modern, with hints of classic Chevrolet in their design. As with some recent products from the brand, two-tone interior coloring is displayed prominently in the LTZ and SS models. Nomad and Bel Air also mark a comeback to the availability of two-tone exterior paint, which is available at extra charge across the model lineup.
The Nomad and Bel Air are available in 3 trim levels, the base being the LT. Starting at $32,250 for the Bel Air and $30,150 for the Nomad, they are powered by a 2.0L 245HP ECOTEC High Output Turbo 4, the same one found in the Cobalt SS. Fuel efficient and powerful, the ECOTEC is well suited as a base engine for these vehicles. Next is the Bel Air's defining model, the LTZ , which would be the most popular Bel Air trim level. Powered by the 3.0L 295HP HF V6 with Direct Injection found in the Malibu, the Bel Air LTZ starts at $36,995 and Nomad LTZ, $33,250. With it's RWD platform begging for power and sports suspension tuning, we were sure to oblige with an powerful SS model. In this guise, GM's 3.6L HF making 335HP is stuffed into the Alpha platform, making for two very quick vehicles. Bel Air SS starts at $39,250 and Nomad SS at $36,250.
Word from the inside is that GM is actually considering producing both of these vehicles, but is paying special attention in bringing out Bel Air hardtop convertible model. With the Alpha platform not out yet and these vehicles yet to hit full scale development, we set a feasible aunch date for late 2011, as a 2012 model.
Specifications Sheet
Vehicle Type: Midsize RWD 4 Passenger 2 door Convertible and 3-Door SportWagon
Size Comparison: 2004 Nomad Concept, 2002 Bel Air Concept
Competitors: VW Eos, Volvo C70
Base Platform: Alpha
Drive Wheels: RWD
Engines:
LT: 2.0L 245HP ECOTEC HOT 4 - Starting at $32,250 (Bel Air), $30,150 (Nomad)
LTZ: 3.0L 295HP HF V6 w/DI - Starting at $36,995 (Bel Air), $33,250 (Nomad)
SS: 3.6L 335HP HF V6 w/DI - Starting at 39,250 (Bel Air), $36,250 (Nomad)
Transmissions: 6 Speed Automatic (Standard), 6 Speed Manual (Optional: LT/LTZ)