Chevrolet has been on a roll over the last few years, but how will the bowtie brand keep its momentum going? Automotive News thinks it’s figured out, giving us a glimpse into the future of General Motors’ bread and butter brand.
- Chevrolet Spark: The diminutive Spark is expected to be redesigned for the 2016 model year. AN reports the new Spark will rely on a 1.0-liter three-cylinder, as well as a possible CVT, to efficiently motivate the brand’s smallest offering.
- Chevrolet Sonic: A new Sonic is expected to come in 2018. A 2016 model year facelift holds us over while we wait.
- Chevrolet Cruze: Not surprisingly, AN reports that the next-generation Cruze has likely been previewed by the recently unveiled Chinese model. Set to come Stateside as a 2016 vehicle, AN reports that the compact Chevrolet sedan will likely rely on a standard 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine, with an available turbocharged 1.4-liter engine. As AN notes, “GM’s decision to sell the Trax small crossover in the United States makes it unlikely that Chevy will offer a hatchback version of the Cruze. A coupe is a longer-term possibility.”
- Chevrolet Malibu: A new Malibu is anticipated for the 2017 model year.
- Chevrolet SS:Â ANÂ anticipates the SS will die in 2017, when General Motors ends production in Australia. An Impala SS may be built to replace the big performance sedan.
- Chevrolet Impala: A refreshed Impala isn’t expected until “at least 2016.” As noted above, an Impala SS may be added to the line, likely in 2017. The Impala Limited will remain available to fleet buyers until 2016, and an Impala that can run on compressed natural gas is expected later this year.
- Chevrolet Volt: The Volt will be redesigned for the 2016 model year. A 1.0-liter three-cylinder engine is expected to replace the current car’s 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine. A fifth seat will be added, and a lower-priced Volt with a smaller battery pack is likely.
- Chevrolet Camaro: The new Camaro moves to the Alpha platform and is expected to debut as a 2016 model. The car is anticipated to shed “several hundred pounds” and may offer the 272-horsepower turbo four-cylinder engine used in the ATS and CTS, as well as the 6.2-liter V8 engine from the Corvette.
- Chevrolet Corvette: Big news here is the addition of the Z06 for 2015.
- Chevrolet Trax: The tiny Trax SUV is expected to be refreshed for the 2017 model year.
- Chevrolet Equinox: AN reports that the Equinox will be refreshed for the 2016 model year. A facelifted exterior and revamped interior lead the charge. A redesigned Equinox is anticipated for the 2018 model year. The new compact SUV will likely lose weight and possibly be smaller, as it moves to the D2XX platform that also underpins the new Cruze. A hybrid variant may happen.
- The next Traverse is expected in early 2017, approximately a year after its twin, the GMC Acadia, is redesigned.
- Chevrolet Tahoe/Suburban: General Motors’ forthcoming 10-speed automatic transmission is expected to find its way into these big SUVs by 2017, while the company’s eight-speed automatic transmission is expected to be attached to high-trim 2016 models equipped with the 6.2-liter V8.
- Chevrolet Colorado: The new small truck arrives as a 2015 model. A four-cylinder diesel is expected for 2016, with an off-road ready ZR2 model a possibility, too.
- Chevrolet Silverado 1500: AN reports that the next-generation Silverado 1500 won’t be shown until the second-half of 2018. Until then, consumers can expect to see the addition of GM’s eight-speed automatic on certain models equipped with the 6.2-liter V8. The truck will likely receive a refresh by 2016, while diesel and turbocharged engines may be added.
- Chevrolet Express: The 1500-series Express has been dropped for 2015, while the small, Nissan-derived, Chevrolet City Express has been added.
Comments
Not a lot of what we did not already know and some things I believe may not be correct too. Having heard different on a couple things from folks from GM tells me some of this is wrong or GM has made a sudden change since their statements.
Not buying an Impala SS unless the Impala is moved to the Alpha
I do believe the Trax may have replaced the Cruze hatch.
I expect a small coupe but will it be Cruze or a smaller RWD. Only GM knows or may not even know at this point.
The Sonic needs a true sports model with a lot of efficient power.
I expect the Travers to shrink some and get much lighter. Then the next gen Tahoe may get radical and move to an Alpha or Omega platform at some point. At least in the half ton.
I still have not heard from GM anything different than a V6 and V8 Camaro only. The 4 may hinge on if they do a Small RWD coupe or not.
The Chevy Express will have a replacement soon and it will not be the Nissan. GM is working on their own larger lighter tall van.
I think what we can take away from the Automotive News report is GM is not talking much as this is not really any great revelation as most of us here have know much of this for a while and in some cases know more than they stated.
GM is playing the cards close anymore and it is about a year and a half before a release that we get much info unless someone talks. And they aren’t talking like they used to.
As I said before, that GM’s strategy of utilizing the 8-speed only on 6.2 V-8s is very dumb! Why? Well because Dodge has the 8-speed on all of its RWD and AWD cars SUVs, and trucks, whether their have V-6 or V-8 powertrains.
Further, GM can improve the performance and mpg of the 4.3 V-6 and the 5.3 V-8 trucks and SUVs by giving 8-speed across the board. Hence, by spreading the 8-speed right through its RWD and AWD car, truck and SUV line, GM will certainly increase its competitiveness, sales and market share.
So GM until the 10-speed arrive, Just spread the damn 8-spread and not stupidly regulate it to only 6.2s. Just look at competitors such as BMW, they have 8-speed is everywhere.
Totally agree!! GM is rather “behind the times” when it comes to transmissions. There’s no justifiable excuse for GM to not have more advanced transmissions available on there products. The 4.3 and 5.3 needs the 8-speed more than ever!!!
This list seems accurate for the most part. Although I’m skeptical about some things. Take this list with a grain of salt:
The Impala receiving an SS variant. Wouldn’t it undercut the XTS Vsport? As I’m positive such a vehicle would share the same powertrain and suspension setup.
Hopefully the SS sedan lives on via the Alpha platform, or perhaps a variant of the Omega platform.
It’ll be kind of disappointing to see the Equinox make the move to the D2XX platform. The current size is perfect for many.
Didn’t Al Oppenheiser specifically state there will be no 4-cylinder in the Camaro? I understand cafe standards may prompt a warrant for one, but I hope GM sticks to not having a 4-cylinder; it simply doesn’t belong in a Camaro!!! Let Ford have this!!!
The next Volt will hopefully have a much better electric range.
The new Lambada SUV’s should’ve been here yesterday! Hopefully they don’t lose their size either.
The Tahoe/Suburban need the 8, 9 and 10-speeds ASAP!!! More engine options will be welcome also! And hopefully an independent rear suspension is in the works for these SUV’s! 3rd row occupants will really appreciate it!
And the new Silverado needs to be here NOW!!!
Vance you have to look beyond the surface here.
Dodge/Ram bought a 8 speed from ZF and just tailored it to their needs. It is an ok unit but was not designed for their cars or tested for their cars.
Now with that said GM did build their own and to be honest even all the other automakers concede GM makes the best transmissions. But by taking the harder way of doing it you have to take the time to design it, Tool up for it and the many millions of miles of testing and validation testing that it takes to make the trouble free. GM has gone back to the validation testing they did years ago after they got burned in the 80’s when they tried to take the short cut out.
Dodge on the other hand may have take a lead to market but they also have had many transmission issues.
When you see companies like Ford, Rolls, Jag and BMW go to GM for special needs that is telling you something.
It will not be long till they add these transmission to the entire line up and also supersede to a 9 and 10 speed.
The reality is they are putting the transmission with the 6.2 as it is the greatest need for MPG. Also if you are going to test the new model in a larger fleet you would use the biggest engine would you not? If they have no field issues in the limited 6.2 fleet they will spread it to the other engines next year. It is called a soft start up and that way if you run into an issue it is a small problem vs. a bigger one.
This is not like planting grass where you just toss it out and hope it grows. There is a strategy here for the long term and it will pay off if they don’t screw up and rush it to market.
You have to really think much of these thing through and also consider all the facts not just the ones you know or see on the surface.
Note too that with the new GM transmission it will be stronger and more durable yet one of the lightest units on the market at a time where cutting mass in vehicles will really pay off.
While Ford is going to aluminum at a higher price to make their trucks 700 pounds lighter than their present model. GM is going to install a lighter transmission that will cut into the expected 350 pound advantage Ford will gain with the much more expensive body work. The GM plan will not really add much to the price of the vehicle ands not only will increase MPG with the way it works but also with the loss of some mass. Today every pound is valuable and if you can do it with out incurring a major price increase or difficulty in repair you have hit a home run.
The hare was faster but the tortoise won the race.
Scott3 you are right that the tortoise won the race, ford’s switch to aluminum is nothing more than a marketing gimmick, and the ram’s Eco diesel is freakin joke
Ford just released a video of a towing test in Arizona, here’s the link: http://www.autoblog.com/2014/07/22/2015-ford-f-150-specs-revealed-ecoboost/
The silverado with the 5.3L wasn’t necessarily faster than the new f150, but it could still hold its own.
They already tried a front drive Impala SS and it didn’t sell,what happened to the SS moving to the same platform as Camaro??? If it is not rear drive forget about it. Give us a damn Buick GN and a real SS. I guess this means Nascar will go back to Impala and GM will have to eat there words about the “real rear drive race car”.
Like I said don’t believe all you read and don’t assume the Impala would remain FWD. There are several options here and I do not expect a Performance FWD or we would have had it by now.
I kept saying SS was dead but no one agreed. Without Aussie sales, GM can not financially justify such a niche product. Even with Holden sales, the vehicle wasn’t earning enough.
I suspect Buick will get to use the new Omega platform, and that this flagship will be repurposed for sales Down Under & over at Opel.
Considering some of their goings on lately at GM, I tend to take this report with a grain of salt.
Paul you are very wise!
Where are the new EREV and BEVs? Will the Volt and the Spark EV remain the only electrics?