It seems GM has a new seven-seater van under development, based on the global Delta platform. It'll have to be pretty generic to meet the expectations of the global market while representing the values and design philosophy of at least three different brands. Expect the new car to be badged a Chevrolet, Opel/Vauxhall and Euro-Chevy (GM-Daewoo) but don't expect to see it in the U.S. This "born to be badge engineered" design doesn't leave that much room for a seductive personality or a strong character. But as long as humans are still organized in families and have pets and stuff to carry around, there's still a significant market for the MPVs (i.e. minivans). My rendering represents the Chevrolet version, tailored after carparazzi photographs taken so far. Sliding doors in the rear and a classic monospace body are no surprises. I wish I could render a gorgeous car, but we are seeking the truth here and this time it ain't that pretty at all.
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It’s no Aston, but it’s loads better than any Venture ever was.
Minivans need to get back to their roots in this era of $4-5/gal gas. The first Chryslers were no frills, barely over 3,000 lb, had 100 hp or so 4 cyl engines, and sold like hotcakes at a time when fuel economy was still at the forefront of people’s consciences. Today’s ‘mini’vans weigh about 4500 lb, have 250hp or so 6 cyl engines, and luxury features up the wazoo. There seems to be little actual difference today between minivans and SUVs or CUVs.
Chevy needs to produce this in the US and get ahead of the curve in at least one category of family transport.
In 2005, I rented a Vauxhall Zafira minivan/MPV in the UK while on “holiday” to visit inlaws, and found it reasonable enough. I drove the old version which was being replaced literally the week after I left, by an all-new model, so my driving experience relates to an out-of-date model, but the driving position was a little too van-like (as in truck-van? sit up & beg positions?) instead of car-like (as many US minivans); the diesel engine was clattery, stenched a lot and was generally awful; the clutch was as heavy as an old US muscle car; and if you popped up the 3rd row seat for 2 children (or felt like punishing an adult), there was virtually NO luggage space left at all…; and the MPG was nothing to write home about.
Not a very good effort, so this vehicle (presumably to replace the new for 2006 model-year Opel/Vauxhall Zafira) needs to be far better.
But yes, if the new Zafira – thing – whatever is also going to replace the decrepid Chevrolet Venture, the GM north american engineers need to go do two things right now.
Go down and buy a Mazda 5, and go down and buy a Kia Rhondo four cylinder. Then do a better job.
Otherwise, don’t even bother.
If it doesn’t fold up like a soda can in a wreck GM might have something here.
Of course GM wouldn’t want to sell a smaller vehicle here. Much hang on tight to the large SUVs… (for hauling 2-3 people).
Like labrat said, minivans these days aren’t.
Since this would be based on Global Delta, this would fall into the same space as the original Chrysler minivan. Which was incredibly popular, because it was a good package at the right time.
I could see something like this becoming rather popular in the US, especially if fuel prices continue to rise. But seeing as it is the same size as the HHR, it’s hard to say if GM would replace the HHR with this or not. From the article this appears unlikely.
Too bad, as this and any of the three concept cars from last year would make many a NA Chevy dealer happy.
At first I thought I was going to like the design. Yes it’s no 911, but hey, it’s basically a minivan. But the longer I looked at it the more I didn’t like it. The individual design elements are fine, but there is something wrong with the sum of the parts. I believe there is something off about the proportions of the car but I can’t put my finger on it. Thoughts?
We owned a 1986 Plymouth Voyager with the optional 2.4 liter 4 cyl engine. It was 2 feet shorter than the last one we owned (a 1998 Chrysler T&C). Not much luggage space, and we killed the motor by driving on the West Virginia Turnpike on the way to the beach in 1992.
But the form factor was useful, and if there were one on the market, we would have bought it to replace the 1998 last year. The Mazda 5 was too small and too low for my wife’s taste and she bought a RAV4.
Hmm couldve saw this one coming a mile away; with the adaption of all Opel vehicles to chevy and saturn and the such. Despite using the Zafira im not too suprised GM is coming back to the minivan party with fuel going crazy and SUVs becoming public enemy no 1. Hey if they style the hood the right way along with that A-pillar window, they could have themselves a new gen “dustbuster”.
The next generation Zafira IS coming to the US. There have been lots of reports on that, and it’s too obvious. Who’s saying it’s not?
An honest photochop of an honest vehicle. But I don’t think it would succeed in the US market. For $20 large, why buy a small, new minivan when you can get a 2-3 year old Sienna/Odyssey for the same dough?
Given how long cars last and how inexpensive used cars are, a new car has to have something sexy to move off the lots. From the looks of things, the baby Venture won’t cut it.
I just read that the sales in the Japanese car market are down 33% from 10 years ago. The same could happen here.
The first generation Chryslers may have been only a little over 3000 lbs, but they had no real space behind the rear seat. The second and third rows had limited leg room, and the second and third rows of seats didn’t even have headrests (shades of a 2008 Ford Focus).
I agree, though, that weight has gotten out of control on the latest vans. The 2008 Chryslers gained a couple hundred pounds over the previous generation, completely negating the benefits of the 6-speed transmission, and eating into the benefits of the new 4.0 liter engine.
The Zafira looks good on paper. Unfortunately, GM decided to give us the HHR instead. Speaking of the Zafira, you should see the European commercial of the Zafira getting thrown out of an airplane. Search for it on Youtube. It’s a hoot.
Hmm…This looks like a current Zafira, only slightly older and with 90s Chevy rims…