GM Lab Eco Initiative: investigating the "bare necessity" car & truck

[rmay635703]

Originally Posted by tjts1

The problem is every poverty spec car (thats what we're talking about here) has to compete with much nicer, much better equipped used cars. So unless you're a complete tool and incapable of dealing with not having a warranty, poverty spec cars will never sell in the US.

Not sure I would probably buy another new Subaru 360 with a more modern motor if the price was right, why take the effort of removing the better equipment when you can buy it that way?

[Arragonis]

GM Already make these basic cars.

In Korea and Europe.

Basic 4 seat car - Matiz.

It does 45+ mpg out of the box. Its thoroughly horrid to drive though.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Just had to ressurrect this thread

After all, the Bare Necessities Truck project might have evolved into the current Chevrolet Montana, known in Mexico as Chevrolet Tornado and in South Africa as Chevrolet Utility.



Chevrolet Utility Bakkie Model Overview | Chevrolet South Africa

Currently available only with SOHC 8-valve engines (either 1.4L or 1.8L) and a 5-speed transmission, FWD and unibody. Maybe it could fit into a niche market for a "poor man's Ridgeline", but probably the closest to this concept that still has a chance to get into the American market is the mid-size Fiat truck currently under development in Brazil, which is going to share the platform with the upcoming Ram ProMaster City.

[kir_kenix]

The Montana would be about perfect for what my wife does. She is constantly dragging dirt, gardening supplies, fruits a veggies, etc but rarely anything that is truly heavy. When she pulls a trailer, its usually a 6 or 8' utility trailer with less than 1,000lbs in it.

She uses our Canyon for these chores but is really overbuilt for that purpose. The Montana (or something similar) would be fine for our boat and cycles as well. If it got 30+mpg I would consider one.

[oil pan 4]

Here we are more than 4 years later and people are still buying V8 engines like crazy.
$3.50 to $4 a gallon gas has been accepted.

[euromodder]

VAG's take on the bare necessity car is the VW up! / Skoda Citigo / Seat Mii triplet - which has recently evolved into an (electric) small cargo version, the e-Load up! / cargo up.

cargo up - Google zoeken
e-load up - Google zoeken


After nearly a year with the up!, it's done what it had to do: get me around @ reduced cost and impact.


It'd be perfect if it had a hitch option from the factory - to move larger / heavier stuff than you can fit in it, or dirtier stuff tan you want to transport in it.
I haven't gotten around to having one fitted, but it's technically possible even if VW don't really support the idea.

[gone-ot]

Originally Posted by oil pan 4

Here we are more than 4 years later and people are still buying V8 engines like crazy.
$3.50 to $4 a gallon gas has been accepted.

ANALOGY: the automotive frogs haven't learned about "frog legs" yet.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

The Montana is rated to some 1600lbs.

Originally Posted by oil pan 4

$3.50 to $4 a gallon gas has been accepted

Believe it or not, it's still a few cents cheaper than in my country.

[rmay635703]

https://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/16/...chevy-tornado/

Someone spotted one of these coming over the bridge

[iikhod]

Originally Posted by oil pan 4

Here we are more than 4 years later and people are still buying V8 engines like crazy.
$3.50 to $4 a gallon gas has been accepted.

Here we have "accepted" 7-ish $ per gallon.