AUTO RED BOOK REVIEW: GMC GRANITE CONCEPT

On The Cover Review: GMC Granite Concept

In a world of Scion xB’s and Nissan Cubes, GMC steps forward with another small on the outside, big on the inside box-shaped concept.  To delve off on a tangent for a moment; a GMC Terrain has basically the same tasty innards as a Chevrolet Equinox, but the exterior design is completely different.  The bulldog blocky Granite may be a similar partner for the Chevy HHR, or maybe the upcoming Chevy Orlando.  Whatever the platform a production Granite could be based on, the looks are all GMC.  The main themes here are style and utility, and the Granite has plenty of both.  The interior dimensions are surprisingly copious, while the exterior conveys the chunky tough truck look that seems to be popular these days.  The Granite is powered by the same 138-hp, 1.4-liter turbocharged four that also appeared in the much smaller Aveo RS concept car, which was also unveiled at the 2010 North American International Auto Show.  The Granite looks like something that could make it to showrooms without some of the show car glitter in the future.  Especially when you look at how similar it is to the vehicles that are slated for production in other GM divisions.