What's the news?
Chevrolet has revealed its version of the Vauxhall Mokka - the baby SUV that is set to fight it out with the Nissan Juke and forthcoming Ford Ecosport.
Exterior
While Chevrolet has chosen to release only one image it is obvious that the Trax owes much of its looks to the Spark supermini. The slab-like front end is carried over and mixed with the body of the Vauxhall Mokka on which the Trax is based.
Interior
Chevrolet says that the Trax's interior 'will be executed to standards usually found in more expensive vehicles' but neglected to provide and images to support this. What it does say is that the Trax will accommodate five passengers in comfort and features a generous cargo space. With the Trax being the 'budget' version of the Vauxhall Mokka it is doubtful that it will be as well specified with General Motors expected to keep the likes of traffic sign recognition cameras, lane departure warning, forward collision alert and bi-xenon lights for the pricier car.
Mechanicals
Chevrolet has not said, but judging by the Mokka we are likely to see both two- and four-wheel drive variants of the Trax, with an engine line-up consisting of three units: a 115hp, 1.6-litre petrol engine, a 140hp 1.4-litre Turbo with 200Nm of torque or a 130hp 1.7 VCDi turbodiesel with 300Nm of torque. Both the 1.4 Turbo and the 1.7 VCDi are likely to be combined either with six-speed manual or automatic transmissions and all variants should have stop-start as standard.
Arrival
The Trax will make its public debut at the Paris Motor Show in September before arriving in dealerships in Spring of 2013. It will join a revitalised Chevrolet line-up that will include the all-new Malibu (an Insignia-sized four-door saloon) and the station wagon version of the Cruze.
Paul Healy - 14 May 2012