Look for VW, Seat and Skoda production versions.
Volkswagen has shown a Taigun concept that looks to be the final design for its new family of VW, Seat and Skoda mini SUVs ahead of the 2012 São Paulo International Motor Show later this week. Nissan, too, is showing a mini SUV, Extrem, in Brazil. Both introductions follow the debut of the Chevrolet Trax at the 2012 Paris Motor Show.
Mini SUVs are predicted to be one of the fastest growing segments in the global market. Whether that applies to the U.S. will be explored next year by Buick with its tiny Encore crossover – 166 inches or 4216 mm in overall length – Buick’s second foray into crossover land, and the smallest Buick ever.
The real challenge for all new Buick models going forward is not whether the vehicle will play in Peoria, but rather how well it plays in Shanghai?
Encore has room for five people and up to 48.4 cubic feet (1,372 liters) of storage space with the rear seat folded, which compares favorably against similar-sized international competitors, the BMW X1 and the Audi Q3. The question what’s it an ‘encore’ to arises, as Buick has never had an offering in this segment. Insiders at GM say they frankly don’t know how large the demand for mini-SUVs is in the U.S. but buyers will likely have the usual bi-polar age distribution of small vehicles – young kids and empty nesters.
The real challenge for all new Buick models going forward is not whether the vehicle will play in Peoria, but rather how it plays in Shanghai. Buick sold a record 645,537 vehicles, an increase of 17.4% in China during 2011– more than three times what Buick sold in the U.S at 177,633. (See Stubby Buick Encore SUV Debuts – Revenge of CAFE Regs?)
The VW Taigun as shown is 3,859 mm long, 1,728 mm wide and 1,570 mm tall with a wheelbase of 2,470 mm, which is large in relation to its length and in keeping with most mini SUVs. This produces what designers like – short overhangs or what is now considered good proportions. The production Chevrolet Trax (same platform as the Korean-built Buick) is slightly larger at 4,248 mm in length, 1,776 mm in width and 1,674 mm in height. Nissan Extrem, a more far out concept that is only exploring some themes, is roughly the same size at the Taigun.
The four-seat Taigun is powered by a new 1-liter 3-cylinder TSI engine with 81 kW / 110 PS. Direct fuel injection and turbocharging are used to boost output and increase fuel economy. The lightweight concept car, weighing 985 kg, has a claimed top speed of 186 km/h and accelerates to 100 km/h in 9.2 seconds; its combined fuel consumption is about four and one-half liters of fuel per 100 km.
Trax will go on sale in Canada next year, but not the U.S.
The five-seat Chevrolet Trax will go on sale in Canada, not the U.S., next year with a 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine rated at 138 horsepower (103 kW) and 148 lb. ft. of torque. A 6-speed manual transmission is standard on the LS model, and the LT and LTZ models receive a 6-speed automatic transmission. An AWD system is available on LT and LTZ models.
It certainly is extreme, which means Extrem is exploring themes only in exaggerated, cartoonish form.
The Extrem as shown has a four-cylinder direct injection and turbocharged 1.6-liter gasoline engine. Nissan says the production version could be offered with a choice of front or four-wheel drive with Torque Vectoring for stability. Extrem was designed by Nissan Design America (NDA) in San Diego, California, in collaboration with Brazilian designers and produced in Brazil.
“Brazil is a country of great natural beauty and it has a passionate, rich culture. But this is not always reflected in the cars on its streets, especially the more affordable locally produced vehicles which tend to be conservative in design, color and specification,” said Shiro Nakamura, Senior Vice President and Chief Creative Officer.
