Overheat
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Underneath the camouflage is one of a whole new 'family' of General Motors 4x4s. Based on the so-called 'sub-Theta' architecture - logically enough, a shorter version of the platform underpinning the Chevrolet Equinox, Saturn Vue and upcoming Pontiac Torrent, Suzuki Grand Vitara, Opel/Vauxhall Frontera and related Europe-bound Chevrolet (Daewoo) models - the new models have been developed by GM Daewoo in South Korea. They are to be described as "sport wagons" or crossovers, rather than out-and-out 4x4s, though they are intended to compete with the likes of the Toyota RAV-4, Honda CR-V, Land Rover Freelander and so on, as well as the lower-riding Subaru Forester. This is in line with GM's thinking that buyers - even in the US - are moving away from models they perceive as thirsty, gas-guzzling monsters and back into more car-like family-sized vehicles.
The first of this new family to appear is likely to be a Chevrolet-branded vehicle, as GM needs a full line-up for the recently-relaunched marque in Europe. Versions sold under the Saturn badge are set to follow, as well as a Pontiac, though a Cadillac is unlikely; the new upcoming compact Cadillac BRX crossover-SUV will be built, like the Saab 9-4X, on the so-called Theta Premium platform, which combines aspects of the Theta architecture with the Epsilon platform (Saab 9-3, Cadillac CTS, Opel Omega/Signum). An Opel or Vauxhall variant, to fit in the range below the large-for-Europe Frontera, is also expected, as is a model for GM affiliate brand Suzuki.
The first of this new family to appear is likely to be a Chevrolet-branded vehicle, as GM needs a full line-up for the recently-relaunched marque in Europe. Versions sold under the Saturn badge are set to follow, as well as a Pontiac, though a Cadillac is unlikely; the new upcoming compact Cadillac BRX crossover-SUV will be built, like the Saab 9-4X, on the so-called Theta Premium platform, which combines aspects of the Theta architecture with the Epsilon platform (Saab 9-3, Cadillac CTS, Opel Omega/Signum). An Opel or Vauxhall variant, to fit in the range below the large-for-Europe Frontera, is also expected, as is a model for GM affiliate brand Suzuki.
