Chevy Orlando Concept Unveiled In Paris

Yeah, we said it: The Chevy Orlando Concept shown here on the Paris Auto Show floor is the spiritual successor to the Pontiac Aztek. And in this case, we mean that as a complement: The Aztek had a ton of great interior features going for it, and the Chevy Orlando takes that post-minivan people-mover spirit and wraps it in sharp-looking sheet metal. The Orlando seats seven, has five doors and is based on the Cruze platform, meaning it has a shot at actually being really fuel-efficient, particularly with its Euro 2-liter diesel. We're not sure how much fun it would be hauling seven folks around with a 1.4-liter turbo motor here in the states, though, so it'll be interesting to see how — and if — it evolves for our market.

Chevy Orlando Concept On The Paris Show Floor

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Inside The Seven-Passenger Chevy Orlando Concept

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Chevrolet Orlando show car signals entry into new segment for the brand

Detroit - The Orlando show car, making its world premiere at the Paris Motor Show in October, is a clear indication that Chevrolet is considering an expansion to its portfolio with a seven-seat multi-purpose vehicle with distinctive sport utility-like design, adaptable seating and impressive interior space.

Based on the recently announced all-new Cruze compact sedan, the Orlando show car carries Chevrolet’s signature design language into a new vehicle segment. It explores the potential of combining the versatility attributes of a sport utility, a family van and a wagon in a single execution.

Chevrolet Orlando cuts a distinctive silhouette, replacing conventional monocab proportions with a more defined contrast between the hood and windshield lines. With flared fenders instead of a flat side-body, Orlando has a muscular stance that gives it the appearance of a sport utility vehicle, yet it offers dynamic ride and handling, excellent fuel efficiency and easy entry thanks to its car-based architecture.

Inside, the five-door Orlando is designed to meet the needs of families and those who need plenty of seating capacity with adaptable, theater-style seating in three rows that comfortably accommodate up to seven occupants. Whenever load carrying becomes a priority, the spacious cabin can be quickly transformed into a large cargo area. A generous 2760 mm wheelbase and wide front and rear tracks provide Orlando with outstanding interior roominess.

Chevrolet’s latest-generation 2.0-liter turbo diesel, developing 150 hp and 320 Nm of torque, provides a powerful and fuel efficient powertrain.

Following the recent announcement of the all-new Cruze sedan, the Orlando show car promises another page in Chevrolet’s product portfolio and another step in Chevrolet’s plan to offer customers around the globe impressive value, quality and fuel efficiency.

Auto Show: 2010 Chevy Orlando

The 2010 Chevy Orlando with 7-passenger seating was shown exclusively to the Detroit Free Press on Saturday Jan. 10, 2009. The crossover vehicle will be introduced to the media and the world during this year's Detroit auto show at Cobo Hall. (ERIC SEALS/DFP)

Chevy Orlando is Totally the Minivan of the Future

This is the 2010 Chevy Orlando, a concept vehicle due to be shown off at the Paris Motor Show next week. It's pretty similar to the 2010 Chevy Cruze, but as you can see, it's got some pretty dramatic blue lighting on its exterior. I'm not quite sure if its completely ridiculous or totally awesome; it probably falls somewhere between the two. I mean, Tron lights are awesome, but Tron lights on a glorified minivan? It's interesting, at least. Hit the jump for a shot of this with its sunroof glowing, then head over to Jalopnik to see many, many more pictures of this thing.

Chevy Orlando 2009

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Sitting on the same Delta II platform that will underpin the Chevrolet Cruze, the Orlando rides higher and taller. General Motors said it "explores the potential of combining the versatility attributes of a sport utility, a family van and a wagon in a single execution." We think it looks quite a bit like a 2008 Dodge Caliber, particularly in its C-pillars and its exaggerated fender flares.

But compared to the Caliber, as well as the current Chevrolet HHR, the Orlando brings more crossover credentials. It has three rows of stadium seating, fitting up to seven people or folding down to make room for cargo.

The show car is powered by Chevrolet's new 2.0-liter turbo-diesel, which makes 150 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque.

Chevy Orlando For Eur Eyes Only

Not so long ago, GM teased us with the prospect of building the Chevy Orlando in the U.S., and even selling the mini minivan here. Pffft. GM execs say they aren’t prepared to take the chance.

It’s a seven seater built on the same platform as the Chevy Cruze. It could, then, be built at the Lordstown, Ohio plant. The Euro-sized minivan is similar in size and package to the Mazda5. Mazda has sold about 16,000 through September, though with no marketing support to speak of and limited allocation.

GM is effectively out of the minivan business in the U.S., having ditched the segment for full-sized crossover SUVs like Saturn Outlook and Buick Enclave.

Some believe that the Euro minivan segment could become a profitable segment in the U.S. as fuel prices rise and more one and two-child families bypass traditional minivans for smaller packages.

However, the Orlando lacks the one thing minivan owners, and Mazda5 owners,like—-a sliding door, which is crucial for getting small kids in and out of carseats in cramped U.S. parking lot spaces.

2009 Meet Brian Deese, the 31-year-old in charge of breaking up GM

Many of us ABers being in our early- to mid-30s, we're less amazed that another of our ilk has risen to a decisive government position. We are, after all, a generation on the rise. The surprising part about Brian Deese's story is that he's been instrumental in shaping the Obama administration's moves to save General Motors, and this is his first official tour of duty in Washington. What qualifies a guy who hasn't even finished his Yale Law degree to steer President's automotive task force around? From what's been said about Mr. Deese, his quick ability to boil down the often competing economic and political aspects of any given issue.

Deese piped up in favor of Fiat's rescue of Chrysler, pointing out with a memo that a fire sale of the ailing automaker would send unforseen ripples out into the economy as a whole. Speaking out in such an influential manner is definitely unusual considering Deese doesn't appear to be an auto enthusiast or business propeller-head with his nose buried in studies and reports about the car industry. A childhood spent in the Boston suburb of Belmont, Massachusetts under the parentage of a college professor an an engineer, Deese did his undergraduate time at Middlebury College in Vermont before heading to Washington to work for Nancy Birdsall on international aid. A turn with former Clinton policy wonk Gene Sperling before the move to Yale, Hillary Clinton's bid for nomination brought Deese back to DC. With friends in Washington, Deese found himself hooked into the Obama team, and from there he's been running busily around our nation's capital.

If General Motors can successfully navigate Chapter 11, we'll all get to see just how well Brian Deese has done digesting the thorny chestnut that is saving our domestic auto industry.