Yupp, Chevy will roll out 13 new or revised models in 2013 globally. You already know about some of what’s in store, but others are somewhat of a mystery at this point in time. In an effort to keep track of all the new product taking place during one of Chevy’s most aggressive product offensives in history, we’ve compiled (what we hope is) a comprehensive list of the new Chevy models that we should expect in 2013.
Some of these are definite ringers, while we’re not so sure about others (we’ve marked these with asterisks)… so here goes:
The Chevy SS will reintroduce a rear wheel-drive sedan to the Chevy lineup after 17 years. The limited-production model will be based on the freshened 2014 VF Commodore and will likely cradle GM’s all-new small-block 6.2 liter LT1 V8. Expect a late 2013 debut, in association with a NASCAR model.
Known as the C7, the seventh iteration of the Chevy Corvette will be unveiled at the 2013 Detroit Auto Show on January 13, 2013. Expect all-new interior and exterior design, along with GM’s new LT1 V8 small-block engine and “an entirely new driving experience“.
GM’s line of all-new full-size pickup trucks made their debut on December 13, 2012. The new pickups will feature a new platform, new exterior and interior styling, as well as new engine choices. Expect an on-sale date in the first half of 2013.
The all-new Impala has been a long time coming — and it will finally launch in 2013. Based on the biggest variant of GM’s Epsilon architecture, the Bow Tie brand’s flagship sedan will offer three engines, be driven only by the front wheels, and has already been priced at $27,525.
We’ve known about Chevy’s subcompact crossover for a while now, but it will begin arriving to dealer showrooms (everywhere except for the U.S.) in the next few months. The Gamma-based crossover shares underpinnings with the Chevrolet Aveo/Sonic.
The electric version of Chevrolet’s Spark city car is currently undergoing validation, but it will launch sometime in 2013. Packing a 20 kWh battery back, the model will have a real-world electric range of 60-70 miles while offering a tire-smoking 400 lb.-ft. of torque. Using a 240V charger, the Spark EV will also be able attain up to 80 percent of its capacity in 20 minutes.
GM CEO Dan Akerson recently let the cat out of the bag, revealing that the all-new Chevy Malibu will receive a refresh as soon as next year. The Epsilon-based model, which hasn’t been on the market for even a year, has been widely panned (although perhaps not deservedly so). Expect the midsize model to receive an update to the overall design, likely adopting the styling language heralded by the 2014 Impala and 2013 Traverse, along with GM’s new 1.6 liter turbocharged engine.
Speaking of refreshes, the Delta-based Cruze has been due for a midcycle refresh for a year or two now. The well-selling compact sedan will also likely adopt the stylish language seen on the 2014 Impala. A high-efficiency diesel engine is in the works, while we’d love to the hatch brought to the States along with the new turbocharged 1.6 liter in the vehicles.
Unveiled at the Sao Paulo auto show in October, the subcompact Onix is arguably the most important piece of GM’s plan to turn around its South American business. The subcompact model is powered by a 1.4 liter four-banger and rides on a variant of the the Gamma architecture used by the Chevrolet Sonic/Aveo and Trax.
Following the launch of the all-new Chevrolet Silverado will be the all-new Suburban and Tahoe full-sized SUVs, which seem to have that market segment by the gonads. Little is known about these vehicles currently, but if spy photos are any indicator, we can most likely expect them to share a similar design inside and out, as well as powertrains with the new Silverado.
Announced earlier this year for developing markets, the Chevy Spin is an MPV with seating for five or seven passengers. In South America, the Spin joins the Onix as part of GM’s plan to revitalize its operations in the region; the MPV replaces the last-gen Opel Meriva and Zafira vans that were rebadged with the Chevy Bow Tie. We’re not certain that the Spin is part of the “13 in 2013” count, so we’re marking it with an asterisk.
We’ve already seen the refreshed 2013 Chevy Traverse. The full-size Lambda-based crossover received all-around updates for the 2013 model year including in exterior and interior design, safety, and infotainment. We’re not certain that the freshened Traverse is part of the “13 in 2013” count, so we’re marking it with an asterisk.
We don’t know the details just yet, but we do know that GM is working on making a Euro van available in North America. Whether this will be an Opel unit (in collaboration with Renault or Fiat), or a new model developed with Peugeot-Citroen, is unclear at this point. But we do know that GM recently applied for the Citi Express trademark — which seems like a great name for a competitor to the Ford TransitConnect.
Some of us are still lusting after that affordable rear wheel-drive vehicle that initially manifested itself as the CODE 130R. And based on recent trademark filings, such a vehicle may indeed be on the way.
At the end of the day, we can remain hopeful — as we have this to go on from Chevy Communications chief Micael Albano: “You know some of them. There’s a lot of chatter about others and a couple will be complete surprises, which we’re thrilled about.”
Did we miss anything? Does the list have everything you wanted to see from Chevy in 2013? Sound off in the comments below.
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Need that Cruze or Trax to replace my HHR, or I'll be buying my first non-GM vehicle.
Sorry , Cruze HATCH.
The problem we have in getting a hatch is all of the overweight soccer moms who don't want to squat to get into a car and who like to ride hide. They don't care about handling, just a smooth ride with light steering. Ruins it for all of us.
Excellent news
all of these arent coming to the USA though right? like the onix thing and the sail?
Jared -- negative; only some of these are coming to the States. You don't want the Sail, Spin, or Onix -- as they're designed to be low-cost solutions for developing markets.
Completely skipped over the next generation of GMT's - Tahoe/Yukon/Escalade, etc
Looks like they added it. But they need to update the title now. :p
Thanks for that, guys. As I pointed out, some of the models aren't guaranteed (Citi Express), others are not necessarily coming in 2013 (Nomad/El Camino), and while others still may not even count toward the "13 in 2013" count.
What about the Colorado / Canyon? I an exited for it
Steven -- that's a good question. I'm not sure whether we will get the Colorado/Canyon for 2013... but if we did, it still wouldn't count towards the "13 in 2013" count since it's just a regional release, while all the other ones are all-new nameplates, all-new models, or freshened models.
This is going to be a totally badass year for Chevrolet and GM as a whole! Wonder what the competition will do, as so many new cars are being released, they will be overwhelmed.
I was hoping 13 new models for NA only not counting other markets.
Medium duties need to reappear and full size vans need to be replaced.
Ehh I thought it was 13 vehicles for the U.S. Therefore, I doubt Chevy means the Spin, Onix, Trax, or Elcamino are apart of the 13 new vehicles. And the Express? I somehow doubt that one too. I think Chevy meant more in detail too. So I'd scratch those 5 and throw in: Silverado, Corvette, Corvette Convertable, SS, 2014 Malibu, Impala, 2014 Cruze, Cruze Diesel, Traverse, Tahoe, Suburban, Spark EV and the last one could be a number of things. Possibly the Elcamino but highly unlikely. Could be a refreshed Equinox but we haven't heard much on that. The new Colorado isnt supposed to launch for a while. So that #13 car is a mystery
Matt -- the 13 in 13 number is a global new nameplate (Spin, Onyx), refreshed (Traverse, Malibu, Cruze), and new model (SS, Silverado, Vette) count that is not limited to a certain geographic region/continent. In other words, something like the Colorado making its way to a new market doesn't count as the truck has already been on the market in Asia for a year. Furthermore, engine variants (Cruze diesel) aren't part of the count... If they were, that number would be somewhere around 35-40.
Alex
I think we need something more from the cruze than a refresh. If the refresh is in 14 than the earliest the redesign will go on sale is in 16, maybe even a 17 model.
That's unacceptably slow, especially considering the cruze first went on sale in 2009. GM needs to speed it up, even it means slowing down development of other cars. The Cruze is the absolute most important car for GM right now, it needs every consideration.
A 2013 refresh for the 2014 MY would prevent GM from launching an all-new Cruze in 2015. And even if the current Cruze was a horribly uncompetitive car, which it obviously is not, it still sells very well against the competition. It's Chevy's Midsize offering that needs a fixin' the most!
This list doesn't impress an American looking for a vehicle with utility and fuel efficiency. It's almost like GM would have you buy a vehicle for each purpose. Not gonna happen within a squeezed Middle Class. Unless we're in for a complete surprise in January I'll be going the way of Thehofinater.