Rumors and Speculations for: CHEVROLET

[rumorsHG]

2003 Impala and Monte Carlo (Large Car)
A freshening for these two platform mates is scheduled for '03 (with the possibility of a supercharged V6 or a shoe-horned LS-1 V8 sporting SS trim), before both gain a complete redesign when they move to GM's new Epsilon platform for the 2005 model year.

2003 Express (Large Van)
Chevrolet's full-size behemoth gets a new front end, driver-side clam shell-style rear doors and a new range of Vortec V8 engines for the 2003 model year. For the first time, Chevrolet will also offer an all-wheel-drive version of the Express and four-wheel ABS-equipped disc brakes.

2004 Cavalier (Compact sedan)
GM will finally replace the aging Cavalier after nearly a decade on the market. The new version is most likely going to be a rebadged version of the Opel Astra, a staple of GM Europe's lineup. Production has reportedly been moved up in an attempt to slow GM's plunging marketshare, so the possibility of seeing the new model as early as fall of next year isn't out of the question.

2004 Colorado (Compact Truck)
The long-awaited replacement for the ancient S-10 is finally on its way. Spotted during hot-weather testing in the desert, this crew cab version shows that the new truck, likely to be renamed the Colorado, will wear design cues borrowed from the new TrailBlazer SUV. Engine choices are likely to be four-, five- and six-cylinder versions of the 4.2-liter Vortec inline six that debuted in the TrailBlazer. It looks to be significantly larger than the previous truck, a good sign, considering that the last crew cab we tested had miserable rear-seat accommodations.

2004 Warrior (Sport Utility Pickup)
Call it the mini-Avalanche, if you will, as this variation on the TrailBlazer will incorporate a small utility bed and a reconfigurable mid-gate system just like its bigger brother.

2005 Corvette (High-Performance Coupe)
Rumors out of Detroit are suggesting that GM's new design and engineering structure has instituted so many changes on the upcoming model that it has been pushed back to a late '04 launch.

2005 Malibu (Compact Crossover)
In addition to the revamped sedan, Chevrolet will introduce a five-door utility wagon under the Malibu name. Based on GM's new Epsilon unibody platform, the Malibu will be configured similarly to the Traverse concept vehicle shown last year in Chicago. This means a high stance, all-wheel drive and a more spacious interior than the current Malibu sedan's. Power will likely come from four- and five-cylinder versions of GM's new 4200 inline six that drives the Chevrolet TrailBlazer.

2005 Midsize Truck
There's been some talk around Detroit that GM may introduce a midsize truck to compete with Dodge's strong-selling Dakota. Chevrolet's new midsize will likely offer standard, extended and crew cab configurations. Considering that the General's arsenal includes engines like the new 4.2-liter 270 horsepower inline six and 5.3-liter 285 horsepower Vortec V8, this new truck could produce plenty of intriguing variations, especially when it comes to creating a rival to the tire-shredding Dakota R/T.