GMC Granite (2014) - Automotive News

CAR GARAGE | GMC Granite (2014) | The concept featured center-opening "French" doors That Eliminate the usual center body pillar. Motor Trend reports That while the pillar less construction may not survive, the 2014 GMC Granite will definitely keep the concept's rear-hinged back doors. As far as we know, the 2014 GMC Granite will be much like the boxy concept in both size and appearance. Body sides should remain an interesting mix of concave and convex surfaces, punctuated by a big "hockey stick" line, plus a bulging wheel arches and prominent lower sills. We rather like this styling with its "baby bulldog" water, especially as it does not betray the Granite's compact size.

We're equally unsure about the concept's front "shell" bucket seats and complex Star Trek-meets-Play station dashboard. Still, Several other elements cabin Could carry over to the 2014 GMC Granite, Such as unequal-size pod-type gauges, an extra-wide "organic-LED 'touchscreen for climate and infotainment functions, a Jaguar-style rotary selector for the automatic transmission, and plenty of connectors and power points for phones, music players, laptops, tablet computers, and other essential "active-lifestyle" gizmos. Like the concept, the 2014 GMC Granite is based on the General Motors Delta II global compact-car architecture hosts That the Cruze, Verano, and the three-row crossover Chevy Orlando (the last sold only overseas, though it was slated for North America at one point). Granite should also be similar in size to the Scion xB and visibly larger than the Nissan Cube.

As for power-teams, the concept was equipped with the 138-horsepower 1.4-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine available in the Cruze, so the 2014 GMC Granite will probably list it too. Speaking of wheels, the Cruze offers 16 -, 17 -, and 18-inch rims depending on model, so the Granite should too. Besides running gear, the 2014 GMC Granite share will almost Certainly chassis hardware and safety features with the Cruze and cousin Buick Verano. That means a strut-type front suspension, a well-located "twist-beam" rear axle, and 4-wheel disc brakes with ABS and an anti-skid system with integrated traction control. There should also be 10 standard airbags, Including front / rear side-impact airbags, full-length side curtains, and knee airbags for the driver and front passenger.

The 2014 GMC Granite should list at least two trim levels and extra-cost amenities Such as leather upholstery, heated front seats, a navigation system, rear-view camera, one or more high-power audio setups, and sport-tuned suspension. Sure, the boxy shape and size imply modest city-friendly maneuverability and fine interior-space utilization, but are secondary Those points apply equally to That the xB, Soul, Cube, and Element. So what we have here is Basically GMC's take on the "cute ute" idea, designed to appeal to young urban hipsters rather than older urban cowboys. Because GMC considers Itself a premium brand, the Granite Likely will be positioned as more upscale fare-boxy than other compact cars or mainstream crossover SUVs like the sales-leading Honda CR-V , a perennial Consumer Guide Best Buy.