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Injo Kim was inspired by everyday heroes when he led the team that designed the Chevrolet Beat concept, which debuts today at the New York Auto Show

“Every morning when you wake up, you yearn to be a hero that day,” said Kim, assistant manager of the minicar exterior design team at GM’s Design Center in Inchon, South Korea. And in Kim’s mind, that hero is driving the Beat, Chevrolet’s concept interpretation of a micro import tuner that’s “simple, free and casual, with a strong heart.”

The Chevrolet Beat is a front-wheel-drive, three-door hatchback wrapped in a bright Vertigo Green exterior finish that exudes energy and extends into the interior. The overall mood of the exterior and interior design is that of a high-performance, high-tech micro tuner car, with fascias, rocker panels, lamps and wheels enhanced for personalization, a strong trend among buyers in this market.

The Beat exterior lines convey speed, with a fast, dramatic, sloping rake from the top of the rear spoiler down to the hood, and elongated front LED headlamps that seem to extend from the base of the twin-port grille to the A-pillar. Integrated door handles set flush within the B-pillar give the doors a clean, uncluttered look. Big, bold, 17-inch wheels are pushed to the corners, and brake calipers in matching Vertigo Green provide a dash of drama at the wheels. The rear fascia carries Chevrolet’s trademark twin taillamps; these LED lamps are set vertically, extending just under the rear glass.

The high energy continues inside the Tachyon Black/Titanium interior with a wraparound dash in Vertigo Green, and a dashboard that features color-coordinated fabric. The green is further pulled through with contrasting stitching on the fabric and mesh seats. The black headliner features fiber-optic lights that create a “star” effect.

Young buyers expect technology, and the Beat delivers, with a center stack that has a pop-up feature. When pushed up, the door reveals a navigation system and when pushed down it reveals a useful center storage compartment. The premium Alpine sound system features six speakers and a trunk-mounted subwoofer.

“The sound system and the pop-up juke box will always make you the life of the party,” said Sungtae Baek, interior designer for the Chevrolet Beat.

Keeping the Beat on the move is a 1.2-liter turbocharged gas engine mated to an automatic transmission.

Chevrolet Teams Up With the College for Creative Studies (CCS) for a Unique Contest: One Chosen ‘Wrapper’ is Heading to the New York Auto Show.

A creative alliance between Chevrolet and Detroit’s College for Creative Studies gave CCS students real-life experience in the competitive world of design and consulting, and provided Chevrolet with a glimpse of what vehicles and brands stir young adults’ souls.

Seven CCS juniors researched target demographics and created exclusive designs and integrated marketing plans, aimed at 18- 25-year-olds, for Chevy’s brand-new HHR Panel. An executive team lead by GM Vice Chairman Bob Lutz chose the winning concept, “Skull from Hell,” developed by Jim McCammon of Livonia, which was brought to life on the HHR Panel. McCammon’s artistry will be on display at the New York Auto Show beginning Wednesday through April 15. The show, at the Jacob Javits Convention Center , opens to the public on Friday.

“This project with CCS is a unique opportunity for Chevrolet to promote the HHR Panel to a specific audience while allowing students’ creativity to shine on the vehicles’ blank canvas,” said Ed Peper, Chevrolet general manager. “It’s a great way to demonstrate how to make the HHR Panel a perfect fit for its audience, whether it’s a large company, small business or an individual who just wants to be expressive. I think enthusiasts will be inspired by the student designs and we’ll see more customizing like this on the road.”

HHR Panel production began this month. It will be offered in LS and LT trims, with 2.2L and 2.4L engines – both of which help the HHR deliver 30 mpg in highway driving.

Troy Clarke, president of GM North America, shows the new 2008 Chevrolet Malibu Tuesday at the North American International Auto Show at Detroit’s Cobo Center.

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The Chevrolet Camaro convertible concept will be unveiled at the GM Style event on the eve of the North American International Auto Show in Detroit on Jan. 5, 2007.

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