A source mentioned to us not too long ago that a new Chevy featuring a rear-wheel drivetrain is in the works. For anyone that appreciates performance, this is exciting news. And as of today, it gets better thanks to the latest reports hinting at a “surprise” Chevy concept bound for the 2012 North American International Auto Show next week in Detroit.
The vehicle has been described as something compact, retro-styled, and possibly being called the Chevelle. Not that there’s any protest from this camp to resurrect the historic moniker, but one would think that such a name would grace something a bit larger. Then there’s the possibility of it being called the “Chicane”, as GM owns trademark rights to that name. A RWD compact also sounds like a great rival to the new FR-S from Scion. But as curious as we are, we’re kind of hoping to be surprised.
Source: Jalopnik
Comments
Why not use Chevette? Those have a cult following, and they were a RWD econobox too.
if its a compact the nova makes perfect sense and if it looks similar to the ’70 + rwd I’m sold
I wonder if they didn’t ruin the Nova nameplate on that crappy FWD Toyota POS they pushed in the late ’80s. How would you feel if they did something similar to the Chevelle? I’d be more than a little pissed, that ’70 front clip is the stuff of legend.
New muscle, new names.
Screw tradition.
Stalker.
lol you have a fan! how nice 🙂
Stalking is such a harsh word.
I call it “building a bromance” 😉
The first step is admitting you have a problem. Anyway, what do you think of the nameplate now that you’ve read the whole article?
Well Chicane sounds vaugely french in the same way Chevelle and Chevette did.
But then again, it’s a new name and a chance to leave the baggage of an old name behind.
I agree completely. New car, new name, unless the car really adds something to the history. The Impala nameplate is a great example, the 90’s SS added to the history and was a truly cool car. The later (and current) use of the name does nothing but devalue those sweet rides of years past.
THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH BROMANCES, ROB!!
i agree!!
See Rob?! The public agrees! We we’re ment for each other! 😉
The name ‘Nova’ has another problem. With a very large Spanish-speaking population in the US, it essentially means “no go” in Spanish. Today, that may be a no-starter (no pun intended) with the marketing department.
GM had a similar issue with the Buick LaCrosse when some French Canadians thought it was humorous it sounded like a Quebecois slang term for masturbation.
Wrong, dead, and buried that myth.
http://www.snopes.com/business/misxlate/nova.asp
Yes some words have a different meaning. Like shoulder it means passing lane.
*HHR?*
Sorry, I was clearing my throat.
I also didn’t see that bit about RWD.
My bad.
Manoli, you will be surprised, RWD yes FUN yes and modern retro yes. can’t say anymore but all should like diehards as well as new chevy fans……
Give it a plug – electric boost AND RWD, then I will begin to show some excitement and anticipation.
Duking it out with foreign products based solely on an ICE – pppppft.
Even though the tide is moving in the direction of the electric vehicle, the ICE is still king.
There currently isn’t a way for a mainstream brand like Chevy to compete with other sports cars by using an electric drivetrain, as doing so won’t be price competitive. Now, if a certain trim level in said sports car were to offer “electric boost” for a fair price…
This will definitely be very exciting!
Yeah the RWD concept` s gonna be a teaser and eventally they May crakn ot a reto – styled car based on the Cruze platform
JD, it’s another Camaro trim like the ZL1 or ZL-1 or whatever, isn’t it?…
The retro car needs a retro name.
If it really is compact, why not pick up were Solstice and Sky left off, with a lightweight tubo inline four Corsa. Campaign the thing in SCCA and Formula Drift, even before it hits the show rooms.
Call it the new Vega. I really like the car except for the gold rims and trim. I wouldn’t mind having a 130R parked next to our Cruze and H3. Also, It is time to bring back Hummer with a Bow tie if not still a Hummer in name, with the H3 plus an H4 to compete with the Jeeps, just less luxury and more ruggedness. Too many 4 door jeeps (yuk) on the road not to seriously consider this.