Chevrolet's new mini-car concepts were all conceived in GM's design studio in Inchon, South Korea. Created to showcase the flexibility of Chevrolet's new mini-car architecture, the concepts made their debut at the New York International Auto Show, and introduced a new class of car to the North American public.

"My job is to make sure they're real Chevrolets," said David Lyon, Executive Director of GM's Asia Pacific Design, "Obviously the scale is different; but you can see a little HHR, there is obviously a lot of Chevy truck here, and this is really a smaller follow up to what we showed in Paris, the WTCC concept."

What Lyon is referring to is the Groove, Trax and Beat concepts, a trio he affectionately calls the 'triplets'. All cars are powered by various three-cylinder powerplants too.

The diesel-powered Groove concept is inspired by a "half-soldier half-modern military helmet," according to designer Jawook Koo. The car features an upright windshield and pronounced wheel flares giving the car a strong stance, albeit with diminutive proportions. Its matte 'lunar quartz' paint contrasts with chrome detailing in the vents and on the bonnet, and large 17-inch wheels pushed far to the corners give the impression of a longer vehicle. The front overhang includes open-air vents that are integrated into the front LED fog lamps and elongated headlamps.

The Trax concept is a crossover hybrid, powered by a 1-litre petrol engine mated to an electric differential and an electric motor driving the rear wheels, effectively transforming it into an all-wheel drive car. Off-road design traits are obvious, with a single-unit bumper and integrated front and rear wings, pronounced front wheel arches, prominent side sills, and a rear-mounted spare tyre and roof rack.

Last of all is the Beat concept, a follow up to the WTCC concept shown in Paris, though on the new mini-car architecture. Powered by a turbocharged 1.2-litre petrol engine (the largest of the bunch), the bright 'vertigo green' show car was built in India and is the only model with a finished interior. The concept is intended as a 'micro import tuner' with easily personalised fascias, rocker panels, lamps and wheels.

"Architectural work [for the mini-car concepts] started a year and a half ago and we got serious about the designs last summer." Lyon told The Car Enthusiast. "In the fall we decided to show them as concepts, as a bit of a surprise from General Motors."

Lyon would not give a definitive date on when we might see one of the three concepts go into production, but added: "There's no rocket science here; these are all very easily produced vehicles."

With the public voting for their favourite concept online via a specially created website (www.vote4chevrolet.com), we'll just have to wait and see which one America is ready for.

Eric Gallina - 20 Apr 2007