Supporting its bid to become the manufacturer with the largest number of concept cars at the 2012 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Chevrolet has announced it will bring 39 vehicles to the Specialty Equipment Market Association gathering that takes place there later this month. Intent on further bolstering the growing popularity of its smaller cars, it’s no surprise that the Chevy Spark, Sonic and Cruze are well represented in that group, as are many of the division’s Z-Spec and Chevrolet Performance factory-engineered parts and accessories. But the Malibu and Impala also will be represented along with a pair of still-secret Camaro and Corvette offerings. Here’s an early look at eight Chevys that will have a prominent presence at the event and details on a ninth that has yet to appear.
Chevrolet Malibu Turbo Performance Concept
Packing a 2.0-liter turbo four engine with 20psi of boost that develops 259 horsepower the Chevrolet Malibu Turbo Performance Concept presents one vision of a possible go-faster future – like 0-60 mph in 6.3 seconds. In addition to a cold-air intake package, other mechanical upgrades on this street-smart sedan include a full chassis remake that brings Chevrolet Performance concept HiPer Strut front struts, new springs, bigger brakes and 20-inch alloy wheels finished in Night Rider chrome and wearing 235/35 Pirelli PZero performance tires. Painted Berlin Blue Tricoat with red and black accent elements, the Malibu Turbo Performance Concept features a ground-effects body kit and custom grille detailing. Inside, Jet Black leather and Navy Blue suede, Recaro sport buckets and Dark Argent trim plates reinforce its hard-edged persona.
Chevrolet Cruze Upscale Concept
Mixing luxury elements with performance cues, the Chevy Cruze Upscale Concept matches a Burnished Brandy Metallic exterior with a cabin enhanced by Loft Brown and DK Atmosphere leather set off with yellow accent stitching and Dark Liquid Palladium trim. Curb-side appeal on the Upscale Concept is bolstered by a ground-effects body kit, tinted headlamps, fog lamps and windows and Black Ice trim. Functional upgrades include an adjustable coil-over suspension, brakes with stouter calipers and drilled/vented rotors and 19-inch alloys with a Black Ice finish encircled by 225/40 Bridgestone Potenza S-04 tires.
Chevrolet Sonic Z-Spec 1 Concept
Adding visual kick plus a bit more quick, the Chevy Sonic Z-Spec 1 Concept is finished in Synergy Green with Ashen Grey Metallic accents. Custom Piano Black/Ashen Gray grille inserts, a Chevrolet accessories body kit, RS rear spoiler and 18-inch alloy wheels combine with Chevrolet Performance concept brakes that include huge 16-inch rotors and a CP suspension system that nets a lower ride height and stiffer springs/shocks. Underhood, a Chevy-licensed Borla exhaust system adds a bit more power to the car’s 1.4-liter turbo four. The Sonic Z-Spec 1 Concept boasts a Jet Black and Titanium interior trimout with stainless steel pedals and sill plates, a Chevy MyLink color touch screen and a Kicker 200- watt DSP mp and subwoofer audio system.
Chevrolet Sonic Z-Spec 2.5 Concept
Finished in Abalone White Tricoat paint with Z-Spec graphics, the Sonic Z-Spec 2.5 Concept expands the excitement envelope even further. Featuring its own unique ground-effects body kit and other ancillary bits, Galvano Silver accents and tinted head/fog lamps, the 2.5 Concept is fitted with Chevy Performance concept suspension and brake systems and rides on 18-inch alloys trimmed here in Galvano Silver and Signal Red. Engine tweaks include both bespoke Borla exhaust plumbing and a CP cold-air intake kit. Inside, the Jet Black leather is matched with Jet Black/Orange Suede and Orange Crust leather accents as well as the stainless-steel pedals, MyLink setup and 200-watt Kicker premium audio from the Sonic Z-Spec 1 Concept.
Chevrolet Spark Z-Spec Concept
Standing out in Salsa Red with Dark Argent accents, the Chevy Spark Z-Spec Concept creates its unique look by borrowing heavily from the existing Chevrolet Accessories and Chevrolet Performance catalogs. Visual keys that call attention to the automaker’s new small 3-door hatch include a Carbon-flash painted grille, full body kit, rear diffuser, matte-black Z-Spec body graphic and 15-inch split-spoke alloys while a CP coil-over suspension trims ride height. The Salsa Red-menace motif carries over inside, complemented by stainless steel pedals/sill plates and a Chevrolet MyLink color touch screen radio.
Chevrolet Spark Sinister Concept
Offering what its creators call a "night-racing aesthetic that looks at home in the shadows of a city’s industrial district," the Chevrolet Spark Sinister Concept celebrates its menacing character with a Carbon Flash Metallic paint job, Bahia Red accents and matte-black graphics. Punching up it rally-car-inspired presence, the body kit on the Spark Sinister Concept features bold front fascia/rear diffuser/side-sill treatments, a big rear wing, lowered ride height and prominently flared fenders that house 18-inch alloys wrapped in wide 205/40 front and 225/40 rear rubber.
The Color Run Chevrolet Spark
A multi-hued variation on the Spark that will serve through 2013 as the official pace car for a series of 5K urban races in which participants get splashed with various colors of corn starch at each kilometer mark, The Color Run Chevrolet Spark made its first appearance last month at an event in Brooklyn New York ahead of nearly 10,000 runners. Beyond the custom graphics, The Color Run Spark features a Chevrolet Accessories ground effects kit, Z-Spec grille and white 15-inch split-spoke painted alloys along with special The Color Run seat trim, stainless-steel pedals and sill plates.
Pink Out Spark Cancer Awareness Concept
Created to show support for the American Cancer Society and against breast cancer, the Pink Out Spark accents its Techno Pink exterior with pink ribbon accent graphics, Chevrolet Accessories ground effects kit and a Z-Spec grille. Pink rules inside as well, appearing on the suede headliner, dash and pillar trims as well as supplemental accent piping.
2013 Chevrolet Impala Concept
No images yet, but a distinctively "personalized" version of Chevy’s full-size flagship sedan that goes on sale early next year will be on the stands to offer its look at what may lie ahead. For the moment, all we do know is that it will have a bright red exterior, black leather inside, Black Ice-tinted accents and ride on 20-inch wheels.
