HarleyEarl

Yes, and individuals are already talking about swapping engines in the Solstice on their own. Exciting times for these two cars.

There is something compelling about it. It has an almost off-road look about it...Smart SUV?

Me too!.....Sky lust. You watch, someone, somewhere is going to drop a V8 in this thing.

2006 Toyota RAV4:

If they are going to do those types of door pulls like on the rear, I wish they would do the front as well, instead it's like two different vehicles.

Yes, I forgot about the Z4M....it will be a missile...can't wait to see what they come up with.

These types of bodykits like here and on the Acura, instantly date a vehicle. It always looks '80s.

Countryperson...too funny!!!....or Countrywomyn.

LOL...you might have a point there....Jeep and Smart's lovechild.

Smart Crosstown concept:

Jeep Patriot Concept:

Jeep Compass concept:

Looks better than I thought it would. The BMW Z4 Coupe concept:

Here it is: GM reverses course, says revised version of Zeta rear-drive architecture is back on track JASON STEIN | Automotive News Posted Date: 9/12/05 DETROIT - Six months after General Motors halted plans to use its Zeta rear-wheel-drive car architecture in North America, the company has revived the program. In an interview with Automotive News last week, Jim Queen, GM's vice president of global engineering, said a revised version of Zeta is back on track. Engineered at GM's Holden subsidiary in Australia, Zeta was expected to be the basis of the next-generation Pontiac Grand Prix and GTO; the Chevrolet Impala, Monte Carlo and a new version of the Camaro; and other vehicles. Vehicles in the program were expected to debut as early as 2006. Queen did not discuss vehicles on the new version of Zeta or timing. Some vehicles that could be in the Zeta program include the next-generation Pontiac GTO as well as a Chevrolet coupe and sedans. They could debut by the 2009 or 2010 model year, say one company source and one industry analyst. Queen said initial plans for Zeta stretched the architecture beyond its limits for some North American vehicles. "We needed to reassess and reconfigure the program," he said. "As we started counting who was in and who was out of Zeta, we realized too late" that Zeta would not work in North America, Queen said. Part of GM's reasoning in slowing Zeta's development was to focus on pulling forward its full-sized SUVs and pickups. GM's next-generation SUVs will debut early next year. At the time, GM Vice Chairman Robert Lutz wrote on GM's FastLane blog that GM had "canceled … plans to build rear-wheel-drive vehicles off the Zeta architecture." "But that does not mean we've canceled plans to build rear-drive vehicles altogether," Lutz wrote. "We are simply reallocating resources (human and financial) to pull some other programs ahead and get other vehicles to market sooner." The revised Zeta program is being developed in GM's Australian engineering center. The vehicle line executive on the program is Gene Stefanyshyn, the former vehicle line executive for GM's Epsilon, or mid-sized cars, in North America. A GM spokesman said no product plans have been approved and that GM still is studying design themes, performance characteristics and variants for Zeta vehicles. GM uses the term "architecture" to signify a common set of components, performance characteristics, a common manufacturing process, a range of dimensions and connecting points for key component systems

This is a very nice concept. Notice the open panel on rear of roof and the double rear doors. Great interior. The Mini Traveller Countryman Concept:

Another variation of the Volvo 2-door hatch:

Great pics of the Studebaker rkm!....thanks. I am always amazed at those little companies like Studebaker and AMC and others who came up with innovative ideas.

The greenhouse looks lower...and better. Still can't believe I did not know about this car....where have I been?

Again, a matter of taste. I have always liked this interior...alot.

I think Saturn should shout to the world that this is their car, be obvious with the Saturn name and emblems. They need this car to polish their image.

http://www.worldcarfans.com/news.cfm/newsid/2050902.007

GM's Kalos sedan leads overseas sales figures http://joongangdaily.joins.com/200509/11/2...0090509051.html September 12, 2005 ¤Ñ Kalos sedans produced by GM Daewoo Auto and Technology Co. were the best-selling Korean cars abroad in the first eight months of the year, an industry association announced yesterday. According to the Korea Automobile Manufacturers Association, more than 145,000 Kalos were sold in foreign countries in the period from January to August, accounting for about 9 percent of the 1.6 million cars exported during that period. In the United States, where the Kalos is sold as the Chevrolet Aveo, the compact car was the best-selling small car for the 13th straight month in August. In the same month in 2004, more than 6,500 Kalos sedans were sold in the U.S. market, almost half the firm's market share, the association said. Hyundai Motor Co.'s Tucson sports utility vehicle was the second most popular Korean car abroad with more than 137,000 units sold during the period, followed by the company's Click, with around 124,000 of the hybrid compact cars sold, and Avante XD compact sedan, with more than 100,000 sold. Next were GM Daewoo's Lacetti compact sedan and Hyundai's Verna, the association said.

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=107193 Rumor has it that the C30's inspiration will come from this safety concept: Volvo's Smallest C30 Hatch to Debut at Detroit Show Date Posted 09-09-2005 DETROIT — Volvo will pull the wraps off its newest — and smallest — vehicle, the C30, in January at the North American International Auto Show here. The C30 will go on sale next fall in the United States as a 2007 model. Volvo first announced its intention earlier this year to launch the C30 at the Detroit show but provided few details. Sources say the car will be built on Ford's C1 global small-car platform, which underpins the Volvo S40 sedan and V50 wagon, as well as the upcoming C70 hardtop convertible that will be unveiled at next week's Frankfurt show. But unlike the C70, the smaller C30 is a three-door hatchback coupe, with styling inspired by Volvo's Safety Concept Car, which in turn traces its design roots to the 1800 ES wagon. The C30 will be nearly 8 inches shorter than the S40 sedan, according to Volvo. The C30 likely will be powered by a small, twin-cam, four-cylinder engine, although Volvo has said it also is looking at hybrid powertrains. The car's most likely competitors will be the Audi A3 and the BMW 1 Series. Production is scheduled to begin late next summer at Ford's Ghent plant in Belgium. Volvo also is working on a successor to its S80 flagship sedan, which could be introduced next spring at the Geneva show. What this means to you: The smallest Volvo yet will bring Swedish style and safety into more affordable territory.

I agree, and maybe going further, I think it would be very visible at the leading edge of the mirror housing. It should be made mandatory to have these on new vehicles. Great safety item.

Of course let's not forget the first of these types of vehicles, the Studebaker in the sixties: