In mid-2010 a report was released suggesting that Tom Stephens of GMC had confirmed the future of the GMC Granite as a production vehicle.
Leftlane has since learned, however, that the report was based on a misinterpretation of Stephen’s comments, and the Granite has not been given the official production go-ahead.
“With GMC , we’re looking to build on the popularity of the Acadia and Terrain, to attract a younger demographic to our “Professional Grade” products. To do that, we need to get out of our comfort zone…which is why we asked our advanced studio, in North Hollywood, to design this [Granite] premium box concept,” said Stephens during his presentation.
GMC has now added clarification to the situation, suggesting that the decision for the Granite’s future has yet to be made, leaving the possibility open for a future decision to move the Granite from concept to production form.
That said, a conflicting report followed in February, 2011, suggesting that inside sources confirmed production for the GMC Granite sometime in 2013 or 2014. Those same sources suggested that the production car would be retain the suicide doors and be built on the same platform underpinning the new Chevrolet Cruze .
The details on the GMC Granite
GM first took the wraps off of its GMC Granite concept vehicle – the “professional grade” version of the Chevy Orlando at the Detroit Auto Show earlier this year, but gave no indication of whether the vehicle would see a production version in the future.
Why this is a significant vehicle for GMC
In what is likely a sign of the time, this concept represents a significant change for the GMC brand as this vehicle would become the smallest GMC ever built if it were to go into production.
GMC has long been a brand associated with rugged, tough and big trucks and SUVs – touting the slogan of “professional grade.” But with the changing economy and the future of fuel prices destined to continue their upward volatile climb, GMC will now turn to a vehicle for the times – the Granite.
The Granite is GMC’s take on the already revealed Chevy Orlando concept, a new crossover-based utility vehicle, or CUV. GM has decided that the Granite is so unique, however, that it doesn’t fit an existing segment – instead creating the ‘urban utility vehicle,’ or UUV segment.
“Granite was conceived as a new type of vehicle from GMC – one that could stretch people’s ideas of what a GMC can be,” said Lisa Hutchinson, product marketing director for GMC. “We call it an ‘urban utility vehicle’ and our goal was redefining what the GMC name could mean to a new generation of customers looking for both bold design and functionality.”
GMC did stick true to its roots with the exterior styling of the Granite keeping a very rugged look – slightly more bold than than Orlando concept. At the same time, many will likely find similarities with the current Scion xB’s exterior and the Granite concept – and that is likely no fluke. In fact, as we showed in the teaser image release for the Granite, the two vehicles ae virtually identical in exterior shape and size.
On the inside of the Granite GMC says it tried to make the vehicle like an urban loft apartment – or that is to say, livable, comfortable and stylish. GMC says that the interior was also inspired by aircraft-type mechanical instruments and precision tools.
GMC also took it upon themselves to equip the Granite with reconfigurable seats – a feature it believes will appeal to young professionals in need of versatility.
“We think of the Granite as the automotive equivalent of an urban loft apartment,” said Dave Lyon, executive director of North American interior and global cross-brand design. “The exterior has an unmistakable industrial look, but the interior is warm and personalized.”
To move this UUV GMC supplied this concept vehicle with a 1.4-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine and matched it to a six-speed transmission for what it believes is a great blend of efficiency and sportiness. The transmission also features dual-clutch design for faster, crisper shifts.
Some of the more edgy style and engineering points of the concept Granite will likely go away for final production form, but expect the overall shape and style to remain very close to the concept – giving GMC an offering that should appeal to both the environmentally conscious and the youth alike.
