Chevy’s New Compact Pickup Truck: What to Expect
GM is planning a small pickup to replace the Chevy Montana. We decided to imagine what the new compact hauler will be like.
The new Chevrolet small pickup truck will be competing with Ford’s Focus-based pickup. The Chevy Montana successor will be targeted at overseas markets and especially Latin American countries, where compact pickups are still very popular. There are a couple of things we know for sure. And for what we don’t know, there’s plenty of room for valid speculation in regard to the upcoming project.
There are two things we know for certain about the tiny truck. First, we know that GM will not be selling this model in the United States. And second, we know that the pickup will be based on GM’s new Global Emerging Markets (GEM) platform.
GEM is a newly-designed vehicle architecture package that has already been put to use with the new Buick Excelle (a Chinese-market exclusive). It is a platform for compact and subcompact vehicles that will be used for the development of a variety of different cars across GM brands. Among those vehicles will be a future five-passenger CUV, which would be the perfect starting point for the development of the new compact pickup truck to replace the Chevrolet Montana.
Presumptions
There will be a new “global” engine design for the new GEM platform. As of now, very little detail is known about the new power unit. However, all speculation hints at a 1.4-liter turbocharged engine that will produce over 150 horsepower, which is a massive upgrade from the current Montana’s 125 maximum horsepower.
GM is on a mission to streamline production for all of its international markets. They are doing so by combining as many production elements between their cars as they can. We also know that SUVs and crossovers are the future of the automotive industry. Combining these two ideas, we would argue that the new small pickup will be based on a compact SUV chassis.
The design of the new small truck will surely carry the fun personality of the outgoing Montana. But it will also be featuring the latest styling DNA of Chevrolet. All in all, it could be an interesting addition to the Chevy lineup if it were to be brought in the US. Would you like to see the tiny truck sold in America?
Illustration and text for Chevrolet Forum by Pouria Savadkouei
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