The Rezzo/Tacuma are actually smaller than this (I believe) and about the size of ther Meriva.
However, there were rumors running for awhile that it would eventually be complimented by a larger vehicle.
This may be it. The Zafira's shelf-life may be coming to a close and the new one in the works will undobutedly be shared with Chevy-Europe and possibly Saturn --- just as the next Meriva will probably share quite a bit with the eventual Rezzo/Tacuma replacements (and that couldn't happen soon enough - the current models are ugly as sin).
"General Motors tipped its hand about an upcoming seven-passenger MPV in the labor agreement it drew up with the United Auto Workers in 2007. Now the spy shooters of Brenda Priddy & Company have come across the first fruit of that agreement with these images of a new MPV mule out and testing.
The vehicle appears to be built on GM’s global Delta chassis, which is an excellent indication that the MPV will be offered in many markets, and under the umbrella of several of GM’s brands worldwide. Priddy expects that the vehicle will be built domestically at the Hamtramck, Michigan plant, though much of the R&D work was likely done at the facility in South Korea.
The new hauler will most likely end up in the hands of Chevrolet, with Opel and Daewoo also being logical recipients. Have a look at Priddy’s handiwork in our gallery below or click through the jump to read the spy shooter’s impressions of the new MPV."
Oh cool, I'd forgotten about this! The Rezzo might need a makeover more than any vehicle in existence, and it's in a very important category.
I'm not really sure but I think the current one is closer in size to the Zafira than the Meriva, which makes sense... Rezzo is on Lacetti platform which is comparable to the Zafira / Astra platform in size. As long as they make sure to keep them totally distinctly styled the two can likely co-exist happily... if GM can resist the urge to charge too much for Chevrolets in Europe!
I love the Mazda5, so this is exciting to see GM breaking in on this. Even though they aren't now, all indications are that these vehicles will be big in the future.
Well this is good news! Fantastic that it will be built in the US, at least for US consumption. I could see them doing Chevrolet and Saturn versions, which actually wouldn't be all that hard... as there will almost certainly be Opel and Chevrolet versions in Europe. There's nothing to change for the Chevy, and only a badge or two to change an Opel into a Saturn!
Chevrolet is going to have the most complete lineup out there! Add the Beat and it's got all the bases covered south of the luxury class.
In the end it might not be so bad that the Traverse isn't a minivan... this van will certainly be smaller, but the current Zafira is very smart and well packaged with 7 decent seats... and this new one looks even bigger. GM will have some awesome options in people movers! Too bad there's no new Malibu MAXX to round out the lineup.
As a dad of two young kids, I don't think this thing can come fast enough. (I've been looking to replace my Montana with an Odyssey ... if I knew this was only a year or so away I might hold out.)
It appears to be a half-segment size up from the Zafira, but smaller than Ford's S-Max.
Surely GM plan to have global Chevy offer unique products in markets where the brand is sold alongside Opel. Chevy should have something Nissan-Livina-sized for global markets, and a larger, S-Max-sized model, with Opel bracketing these segments at either end with the Meriva and Zafira.
It'll be a sad state when Chevrolet Europe are only selling decontented rebadges of Opels.
From the article, the new minivan is supposed to be the size of a Mazda 5.
If you don't intend to use the third row very often, that's great. I'm sure it will be much cheaper, sportier, and more efficient than an Odyssey.
But if you do intend to use the third row very often, to me it's unacceptable. The rear seats in the Mazda 5 are right up against the back window. If you get rear ended by a pickup, the kids in the back will be hurt over and above the whiplash everyone else suffers.
But if you do intend to use the third row very often, to me it's unacceptable. The rear seats in the Mazda 5 are right up against the back window. If you get rear ended by a pickup, the kids in the back will be hurt over and above the whiplash everyone else suffers.
If this becomes the raging success their previous vans enjoyed, with their Rip Van Winkle development progress, then I won't be buying that GM stock I was looking at.
If this becomes the raging success their previous vans enjoyed, with their Rip Van Winkle development progress, then I won't be buying that GM stock I was looking at.
The Rondo is functional but is also about the most akward and ugly looking vehicle on the market. I admit that GM is way behind the ball on efficient people movers (especially with convenient sliding doors) but I'd never buy a Rondo. I can't wait to buy a Zafira if it is fuel efficient enough and offers a 3 person 2nd row. Then I can park the wagon and save it for towing duties and use less gas in the meantime. Hopefully this van will have a diesel option. A very small DI turbo motor would be a good option as well.
This should be interesting.
Betcha this will be a Chevy... a Buick... a Saturn... a GMC... And we'll have 4 semi-rebadges... again.
Just like the Lambdas.
I agree this is a possibility and a worry of mine as well. I would hope they are smart enough to not give PBG more than one this time at the very least. For this product, a 7 passenger mini-minivan, I can see Chevrolet and Saturn getting one but not the other divisions. It doesn't seem to be a fit for a Pontiac, GMC, or Buick and certainly not a Cadillac. Lets hope there are 2 max.
This should be interesting.
Betcha this will be a Chevy... a Buick... a Saturn... a GMC... And we'll have 4 semi-rebadges... again.
Just like the Lambdas.
Chevy and Saturn only. Chevy needs this bad if the new Nox relacement is only 5 pass.
It reminds me of my chop from last year.(which I can't find all of a sudden)
This would be way better for Saturn than the current Outlook. But it said it was built on Delta platform, and then it said 7 passenger seating? I was just skimming through, but wouldn't it be better put on an Epsilon II?
Glad they didn't build a Lambda minivan, because Lambda's are just too big to be people haulers. Chrysler downsized, yet maximized their minivan's, now GM does the same. The Japanese are now in a tough situation because the Honda is so big and puffy now it has no where to go larger; thus this market segment maybe more prone to be attracted to something this size rather than nearly fullsized offerings from the Japanese.
The 2008 Town and Country is wider than every other minivan, the Outlook, and the Acadia. Only the Enclave is wider, by 0.1 inch.
The 2008 Town and Country is longer than every other minivan except the Quest and extended wheelbase Uplander (but it's much wider than the Uplander), and the Town and Country is also longer than the Outlook, Acadia, and Enclave.
Chrysler didn't downsize at all, they used clever styling to disguise the fact that they made the new minivans bigger than the old ones.
hmm pretty cool looking, its nice to finally see GM catching up in the minivan market, even if it is a hundred years behind the rest, looks good so far
With the new CAFE numbers we are all going to accept smaller vehicles, no surprise that the minivan is downsizing. I just can't wait to see the CHP and other California police agencies driving Cobalts and Focuses
I like the idea of a compact minivan but I think instead of Saturn getting a version I think GMC should get it because lately Saturn has been having trouble selling their new models.
I don't think it makes sense to offer it as BOTH Opel/Saturn and Chevrolet. I'd say Opel and Saturn should get it, while Chevrolet should keep the HHR and add a leisure activity vehicle/LCV in the mold of the Berlingo/Kangoo to replace the Opel Combo (could actually be built off the HHR or its replacement - or the replacement be a heritage-inspired Berlingo).
In case you're wondering - Berlingo:
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