Monday 9th January 2012

Detroit show: Chevrolet Code 130R

Chevrolet's Code 130R teases mini Camaro for 'yoof' buyers

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This cheeky Camaro-in-miniature is called the Code 130R. It's the latest concept from Chevrolet, and is an attempt to bring younger buyers to the brand.

According to US Census data, there are 80 million American consumers approaching 30.

They represent 40 per cent of today's potential car-buying public and a combined $1 trillion (£647bn) in purchasing power. So it's understandable why GM might want a larger share of that.

The 130R (actually one of a pair of Chevrolet Coupe concepts, the other being the front-drive Tru 140S) is powered by a turbocharged 1.4-litre four-cylinder engine with 150hp and 148lb ft of torque.

This is transmitted to the rear wheels (praise be etc, etc) via either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic gearbox. Chevy says it hopes a production version could sell for around $25,000 putting it right in contention (in US terms at least) with the Subaru BR-Z.

 

[Frimley111R]

LOL! Its a Chevvy 1-Series!

[Mr Gear]

Frimley111R said:

LOL! Its a Chevvy 1-Series!

Yep, and no bad thing quite frankly. It looks good to me. Hopefully it won't be too st in the plastic and metal.

[AndrewSV]

Frimley111R said:

LOL! Its a Chevvy 1-Series!

My thoughts exactly

[TaylotS2K]

Looks a bit RX8ish from the front.

[Twincam16]

Oddly enough, this is precisely what pony cars started out as. We think of them as growling V8 monsters, but a V8 was just the cheapest way of getting what was actually a modest amount of power for not much money in a simple, good-looking rear-drive package that was distinctly different to the vast sedans and station wagons the average buyer's parents drove. The muscle cars were actually a step up from pony cars like the Mustang and Camaro, in price, running costs, performance and size.

Nowadays, 'sticking a turbo on it' is the equivalent of 'sticking a V8 in it', and with simple engineering, low price and RWD, this will ironically be closer in spirit to the original Camaro than the current Camaro.

[Riyazc]

first glance made me think of Lightning Mcqueen .... not sure why - maybe the flared arches??

[soad]

TaylotS2K said:

Looks a bit RX8ish from the front.

True.

[gmh23]

If the front end looked more like a Camaro, and the price is decent (sub £20k) they might be onto a winner

[Motorrad]

In the States? Buy a used Camaro or other V8 pony car.

[ED209]

Photoshopped 1 series coupe??

[130R]

No .. my name, my beautiful name ...

[TAHodgson]

So is this the sort of thing that will be competing with the Toyobaru 86 thingy? Maybe more manufacturers will be going this way, simple, adequate power and (hopefully) a good drive.

[Schmeeky]

130R said:

No .. my name, my beautiful name ...

If this is light enough, it could well be a fun machine. Not to sure on the shape, though - my first thought was 1-series as well, and I'm not to keen on that either.

[infernal]

i just threw up a little in my mouth - that thing is just... wrong

if they downsised the camaro by 75% though Id be all over that

[BMWill]

Great looking from the back... Really reminds me of the original Camaro of the late 60s. But the praise stops there... The whole waistline needs to be lowered and that front end.... is just fugly!! I know they're going for this whole corporate brand look thing but for fk's sake put some effor in to it!!!

[ivantate]

Could be the kind of car that relaunches the brand.

Not sure how much 'tuning' could be done on a 1400 turbo compared to a more relaxed bigger engine. Either way 150 and plenty of miles to a tank would be enough for me.

[RJP001]

It's vile.

[PascalBuyens]

Think it has to grow on you...

[Dave Hedgehog]

PascalBuyens said:

Think it has to grow on you...

like herpes?

it looks like something from cars, i hate that movie ...

[rtz62]

America idea of what a BMW 1 series would have looked like if they had designed it, a bit like their view on McDonalds being real food.....