A pair of Chevrolet concepts is to make their European debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show next month - the Colorado Rally pickup truck and the Miray roadster.

The Colorado Rally is a tough as nails, double cab pickup, first revealed at the Buenos Aires Motor Show. It's decked out with a 2.8-litre turbodiesel engine, four-wheel drive and a winch at each end.

Show car trickery includes a fire extinguishing system guaranteed to quell any burning bits in the cab, a master switch to disconnect the engine and electrics and an 'air boost' system - effectively an in-car dust-buster to clean the cab of sand and grit.

The Miray looks a bit like a cross between the Tumbler from the latest Batman films and Audi's quattro concept. A small, open-top sports car, it made its first appearance at the Seoul Motor Show in March. The body is made in part from straight carbon fibre and carbon fibre reinforced plastics and features scissor doors.

Zero emissions low-speed driving is a given but the coolest feature is reserved for the interior. Push the start button and a projector rises up out of the centre console and displays various bits of information on the instrument panel.

It's powered by a pair of front-mounted 15kW electric motors in the front and a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine in the rear, which, along with a double clutch transmission, gives it the ability to switch from front- to rear-wheel drive. Chevrolet claims the Miray is geared for superior top speed when it's in 'performance' mode, but exactly what that is, or how quickly it can hit 62mph, is a mystery.

Both cars are strictly design concepts but the odd sliver of styling or piece of technology could filter down to production level.

Click here to read more about the Chevrolet Colorado Rally concept.

Jack Carfrae - 16 Aug 2011