Just yesterday, General Motors unveiled the CODE 130R — a compact rear-wheel drive concept vehicle that we’ve been waiting for with vigorous anticipation since a few short days ago.
Like the TRU 140S Concept, the CODE 130R is aimed at the Millenial market — of which there are 80 million in America alone. What’s more, Millenials represent 40 percent of today’s potential car-buying public and have a combined $1 trillion in purchasing power. So if you don’t think the 130R (or something like it) is headed for production, we’d recommend shutting off Jersey Shore, taking out a blank sheet of paper, a pencil (with an eraser), and writing the aforementioned figures out for clarification. But that’s not what we’re here to discuss. What we’re here for are the three primary ways in which the 130R could come to market:
1. Sub-Camaro Sports Car
The first, and most obvious way in which the 130R could come to market, is by becoming a new model — complete with its own nameplate. The vehicle would have a starting price in the low $20,000s, putting it directly in competition with the Toyota GT86 (Scion FR-S). In effect, it would be small, agile, and nimble. And it would most likely be powered by a range of four-cylinder engines; the concept features electric boost, but that may not necessarily make it into the production model.
Such a vehicle would appeal to potential sports car buyers who don’t want the brawn of the Chevy Camaro but who still desire proper, balanced performance. We’d wager that this kind of vehicle will be a huge success in Europe.
Now, what about GM’s trademark for the word Strobe?
2. Camaro Replacement
Blasphemy! Right?
The fifth-generation Camaro is selling like hotcakes — and that’s only after one full summer of Convertible availability. The 130R may not be capable of cradling an LS3 V8 or a supercharged 6.2 liter LSA good for nearly 600 mind-blowing horses… but if the 130R is a blast to drive and sells just as well, does it even matter?
However, we don’t see the Camaro going away any time in the next decade or two. Especially given its red-hot status and cult-like following.
3. Next-Gen Camaro Design Cues
The third possibility: the 130R could inspire the design of the sixth-generation Camaro. The concept features several retro cues but goes about it in a modern sort of way. Perhaps the next-gen Camaro will take a thing or two from the 130…
4. Corvette Sub-Brand
Have you noticed those Corvette flags beside the front wheel wells of the 130R? We certainly have… So after years of speculation and rumors, could it be that the Corvette sub-brand is on its way to becoming a reality?
“It almost looks like it could be mid-engined,” said GM Authority Editor-in-chief Manoli Katakis, referring to the 130R.
We aks: wouldn’t the 130R be the perfect vehicle to extend the iconic brand downmarket?
At the end of the day, these four scenarios are all simple to imagine and quite straightforward. And GM’s decision on whether to build the 130R or not hinge on the feedback it gets during the next few months. Even so, we feel that even these basic possibilities should be outlined for the sake of clarity… and — you know — a real-world frame of mind, since some of us get quite giddy over seeing and learning about these beautiful machines. We’re sure you’re familiar with the feeling.
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Comments
I think they should do both the Code and Tru… but then I have a big feeling that this is going up against the FT-86 though.
Why the hell can’t GM learn from Hyundai. The ZO6 debut with 505 hp in 2005, don’t you think in 2012 the car should at least have 550 hp Alex? GM needs to learn about quick adaptation accross the board to keep their products fresh Alex. There is no way that Hyundai 5.0 V-8 should be matching a base Corvette for hp or even a Camaro. Mr. Luft please reply and tell this Corvette and Camaro diehard fan that GM is about to shock the competition.
I still think that GM takes to Damn long to respond to its competitors. Check the Hyundai V-6 at 348 hp while GM 3.6 can only muster 323 hp. Now look at the 1.4 turbo at 138 hp again very poor. Hyundai now has a 1.6 turbo making 201 hp and 195lbs torque with outstanding EPA numbers. What is this, is Hyundai really that advance ahead of GM in technology that all of a sudden all its vehicles are becoming the most powerful and still so fuel efficient?
I agree with you. The new GM is acting just like the old GM. Always last to the dance. Ford and Chrysler have the jump on GM in many areas. GM needs to shed the government and the uaw’s ownership so it can run the company they way it needs to!!
We haven’t even begun to see what the New GM is capable of. All the products announced this week (and for the rest of the year) were already planned and being worked on during the Old GM, including ATS.
So it’s a matter of getting the old/pre-existing projects out of the way first. And then you’ll be able to see how the New GM really works.
I like the Idea and characteristics of the 130, but I just hope the production version won’t look so much like Lighting McQeen.
I agree this car looks like a concept for Cars 3 movie, not something Chevrolet should be striving for!
Well I have said pretty much the same thing since I have seen this Code130R and it hasn’t grown on me yet. RWD! YES! Very good! About time! But the Code 130R is like a Vega mated with a Mazda RX8 and had a birth defected child or an Autobot that just got put together wrong! The 140S at least is sporty looking but is sadly FWD! Your right. This is retro nothing if anything. So i guess the fix would be mateing the FWD with the RWD and put the body of the 140S over it and there would be an awesome looking and driving car with a Turbo 4 or 6! Guess that would make it the 140Rx4
GM must need a way to amortize the cost of the ATS platform that boasts the magical 50/50 balance and the flexibility of RWD or AWD. GM also must know that Ford is going to make a big deal about the 50th anniversary of the Mustang – coming soon. And that Ford is planning an all-new Mustang with – wait for it – independent rear suspension.
So GM has some good stuff to draw on, but will it do it sooner rather than later. The ATS had a long gestation period and I understand GM needed time to get it right (hopefully they did). But now it’s time to capitalize on all that experience, a great chassis, engines, etc.
We also have been teased, many times by GM with great coupe concepts only to find out that they really are sedans. It’s possible that GM/Chevy may be planning a sedan, coupe and convertible (similar to BMW’s 3-series variants) for both the ATS and an yet unnamed Chevy.
I hope they ditch the cartoonish looks. As someone here said before, it reminds me of something from Cars or those Chevron toy cars that were issued for the original Cars movie. I don’t think anyone wants a repeat of the SSR debacle.
For me, the most appealing thing about the 130R is its upright styling–in today’s world of streamlined potatoes, it stands out. And I want it!
Yes! Enough with trying to hide the car in the form of hell-bent sheetmetal. The 140S looks like a car for ricers. The 130R looks like a real car!
The Code 130R is exactly what mid 20s and early 30s buyers want. I love everything about it. The performance ability of this platform could be a game changer if they get it right. Hopefully they will put the new Caddy ATS 2.0 Turbo in this car. The SCCA/AutoX guys will also love this car. GM we need this car, please build it, and don’t change the looks. Note: I would not be opposed to a V8 version either ; )
My thoughts, exactly. I love the looks, the idea of a small RWD vehicle that’s nimble and light… and everything else about this little guy.
Seriously, Ford just clocked GM in the tinys here folks….The new Fusion is GORGEOUS! It’ll be the Mondeo in Europe and it truly has that BMW-Aston Martin feel to it – for the price of a Fusion!
This is a GM fansite so I have to be gentle….But crap, look what GM rolled out vs. others at the NAIAS – GM hypes some empty crappy concepts and outs the ATS which, while neat, has been pretty obvious for 3 years now – with tons of info and pictures floating about. We’ll have to see how it performs against it’s rivals.
GM says it’ll travel it’s little Cruze Coupe and it’s bloaty Camaro-mini Frankenstein around the country asking kids what the insides should look like while making hollow clamis about what they could possibly be, whilst Ford whips out it’s Fusion Energi to dump on Volt with 5 passenger seating and 500 mile range! Ford’s Fusion looks tons better than the uber-Cruze Malibu with it’s fake wood plastered everywhere inside, and to make matters worse, the ICE Fusion is projected to get better mileage than Chevy’s “new” 2-mode hybrid Malibu competitor! Now THAT’S embarassing folks!
We’ll have to see the real EPA figures, but that Fusion is a force to be reckoned with. Camry, Malibu and Altima be warned. The only saving graces for GM will be if the Fusion, new Escape and C-Max’s variations lack quality. Remember last year when Ford’s new Explorer’s designe wowed everyone. Yet Motor Trend tested it and slammed the SUV due to squeaks, rattles, a hard ride and even plastic parts falling off as they drove it down the road! Also, remember Ford’s big gaffe with Sync. How they sold the _ell out of it and made record profits, yet later they lost their prime J.D. Power ratings because customers didn’t know how the heck to work it!
This Detroit Auto Show looks a bust for GM. They could’a been a contenda…The could have showed the upcoming Colorado in U.S. livery, they could have shown a U.S. Orlando – or best, they could have nixed C-Max hybrid and Energi PHEV by blowing the dust off of the MPV5 Concept they showed in Shanghai in 2010. These are all sorry mistakes as I give this show to Ford – and props for keeping this sexy Fusion and it’s hybrid and PHEV versions secret until the big reveal!
Yes, but does it really matter who wins a show? At the end of the day, GM will still outsell Ford.
Not so fast. Equinox and Acadia are getting their tails beat in sales by Flex and Escape. Now there’s a new, sleeker Escape with a hybrid version out soon.This Encore does not impress. It’ll sell in China – it’s a Buick. Chinese love them some Buick. LOL.
I’d take the new Escape over the Encore any day ( if…and I say if…it is superior in quality to CR-V and RAV-4. )…
GM as a whole is a much larger company than Ford – yet Ford didn’t take a bailout and is very crafty in handling the whole hybrid, EV, PHEV future. I’d bet good money Fusion will outsell Malibu and take Camry for a real footrace. Fusion, especially the Mercury variant could make big dents in Buick’s market share in China. Admittedly GM has a big lead there.Ford is showing moxy – look at that excellent feature for Escape and C-Max – the foot sensor liftgate. Man, that is slick! GM is playing catch up with MyLink/Intellilink/Cue, as Ford’s had Sync as a sales tool for 2+ years. GM will copy the liftgate because it’ll sell lots of units. And notice how the C-Max’s floor folds very flat with no gaps….I’ve never seen that anywhere …on anything! I’m a GM guy but Ford is ver convincing lately – they are going to increase market share, you’ll see.
So in sheer numbers of units – GM has a much larger span. But Ford really is making sense here. F-150 outsells Silverado, and it’s new-gen Ranger is complete, but like Colorado is manufactured overseas for foreign markets. If Colorado takes off, Ranger will likely not be far behind.
I love that these are both AMERICAN companies. I wish Fusions were all made here and not in Mexico also. Malibu isn’t bad. I wouldn’t buy one if I were in that market – over Camry and this new Fusion if it’s as good as it looks.If Fusion is competitive performance-wise with Camry I definately would buy the American product even though Camry is made in America.
You have to give Ford it’s props. They are comin’ on like a bull seeing red. GM is making a lot of mistakes right now, and I hope they have lots of surprises up their sleeve and can whip out something good for say, Chicago, Geneva or L.A..
Actually, the Acadia/Traverse sold more than the Flex instead of the other way around. Even though Flex is getting a refresh, i think it won’t sell as well as the Lambdas.
@Vic. Good point. Two responses: One – Lambdas are darn heavy. They are porky and inefficient vehicles and there’s no way around this. They can’t stay competitive long, esp. if gas prices rise as projected in record levels this Spring/Summer.
Two – you’re right, I misspoke. It was Equinoxes and Terrains that were outsold by Edge and Escape. According to this website: http://gmauthority.com/blog/2011/09/opinion-desk-why-is-ford-outselling-chevy-and-gmc-in-compact-midsize-crossover-space/
GM sold 186, 079 combined vs. Ford’s 246,724. Thanks for pointing out my error. My point still stands. In many segments, Ford outsells GM – the much larger company.
And that — as I mentioned in the article you linked to — is GM’s weakness and Ford’s strength.
Ford has a crystal-cut lineup strategy. The Escape is compact, the Edge is midsized, and Explorer is full-sized. GM has the Equinox to fill the compact and midsized roles… which means it doesn’t serve either segment particularly well. It’s a compromise for those looking for a compact CUV since it’s bigger (something they don’t need). And it’s a compromise for those looking for a midized CUV since it doesn’t offer the features/powertrain options of true midsizer (or a third row).
Chevy will have its own version of the Encore to slot in under the Equinox. But it will be too small to effectively compete with the new Escape.
Nationwide, Ford outsells Chevy — and I see no reason for this to change. However, it’s not all about volume: seems to me that Chevy is fine selling 10-20 thousand fewer cars a month very profitably.
hey james, my friends 2012 loaded focus, has already had 2 new computers put into it, and had to be towed away on a flatbed from his driveway …………. So Ford as usual has a nice looking vehicle that screws up when you leave the lot. Out of all my customers i have sold a new chevy too. I have never had one picked up from their house and droipped off because it needed its second computer before 20000 kms, nice car but the 20 cruzes I sold last year, I only see those customers for oil changes, and the recall about how lube guys are stupid and dripping oil on the manifold during an oil change. So they put a new gaurd over the manifold to protect it from stupidity, a rag would have sufficed lol. Anyways Ford has great ideas but the fall apart before 100000 kms So who really cares.