12 January 2010
Industrial-Inspired GMC Granite Concept Makes a Solid
Statement About Style And Function
Detroit, USA – Combining a decidedly urban-industrial design aesthetic with
functionality aimed at young professionals, the GMC Granite concept takes the brand’s
trademark capability in a new, more progressive direction. It was introduced at the
2010 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
If brought to market, the Granite would be the smallest GMC ever – but has been
optimized to feel much larger. Its length is a full 2 feet (0.6 m) shorter than the new
Terrain compact crossover, but its open interior was designed to be spacious and
flexible to fit the needs of active people. Generous cargo space and unique
flipping/folding seats, for example, enable a mountain bike to be loaded completely
inside with the tailgate closed.
“Granite was conceived as a new type of vehicle from GMC – one that could stretch
people’s ideas of what a GMC can be,” said Lisa Hutchinson, product marketing director
for GMC. “We call it an ‘urban utility vehicle’ and our goal was redefining what the GMC
name could mean to a new generation of customers looking for both bold design and
functionality.”
Like GMC’s current lineup of trucks, SUVs and crossovers, the Granite delivers style and
capability, with advanced features, high-quality materials and exceptional attention to
detail. An industrial-influenced exterior is combined with a spacious interior that
features precise instruments and leading-edge technology. The climate system,
navigation and infotainment technologies, for example, are viewed via an extra-wide,
next-generation organic light-emitting diode technology that is more dynamic than the
conventional screens used in most production vehicles.
Industrial-Inspired GMC Granite Concept Makes a Solid Statement
About Style And Function
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“We think of the Granite as the automotive equivalent of an urban loft apartment,” said
Dave Lyon, executive director of North American Interior and Global Cross-Brand
Design. “The exterior has an unmistakable industrial look, but the interior is warm and
personalized.”
Power for the Granite concept comes from a 1.4L turbocharged engine that is part of
GM’s new family of small-displacement, highly efficient four-cylinder engines. It is
matched with a six-speed automatic transmission. .
Industrial-inspired exterior
A cadre of young designers drew upon the preferences of young, urban professionals
like themselves, who are very social and active. They are more likely to take friends to
clubs and load outdoor gear on weekend excursions than to haul lumber or tow a boat.
With those requirements in mind, they sketched out the dimensions of the Granite
accordingly. Its 103.6-inch (2,631 mm) wheelbase is comparable to a Chevrolet Cobalt,
but its 161.3-inch (4,097 mm) overall length is more than a foot shorter. Its size gives
the Granite exceptional maneuverability, even within narrow urban streets.
The Granite’s comparatively short body length is complemented by a wide, 70.3-inch
(1,786 mm) overall width and a tall, 60.5-inch (1,536 mm) height. Those dimensions
create unique proportions that depart dramatically from conventional minivan, SUV or
crossover designs. “The Design team leveraged the best attributes from different
segments: SUV, minivan and crossover, and mixed them with a commercial chic
aesthetic. We feel this redefines the premium class of vehicles we call urban utility
vehicles,” said Lyon.
Granite has four doors, hinged on each side to open like a set of French doors. There’s no
pillar between the front and rear doors, making the Granite easier to enter, exit and load,
even with bulky items.
“We gave the Granite a bold yet appealing design that truly makes a styling statement,”
said Juho Suh, exterior design manager. “For a new generation of urban professionals, it
delivers the look and functionality they need.”
Industrial-Inspired GMC Granite Concept Makes a Solid Statement
About Style And Function
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In keeping with the vehicle’s urban theme, the exterior of the Granite has a series of
complex, intersecting planes and angles, creating the impression of an industrial
machine – an object created out of necessity, but admired for its precision and functional
aesthetics.
A forward-angling motif that cuts through the door panels, starting high and behind the
doors and cutting to the center of the front door, suggests motion, as does a high beltline
and tapered side glass. A rear spoiler is integrated into the roof and extends slightly
above the rear glass. Other angles and planes of the exterior appear carefully metalcrafted.
Up front, GMC’s signature grille design is flanked by headlamps that sweep back into the
fenders, further suggesting motion. The headlamps and fog lamps are set at the far edges
of the front-end bodywork, accentuating the Granite’s planted stance. At the rear, the
vehicle’s planes and angles come together tightly, showing careful attention to detail.
Other exterior elements include prominent taillamps with a multi-layer appearance and
LED lighting technology; and a centered exhaust outlet with a brushed metal tip.
There is no chrome on the exterior of the Granite; all the trim has a satin or brushed
metal finish, accenting the industrial look. Large, 20-inch wheels – wrapped in
Bridgestone tires – were tailored within the fenders for a low, sporty stance. The
exterior color of the Granite is metallic gray that evokes the look of the material for
which this concept was named.
Mechanically minded, highly functional interior
The interior was inspired by the design of aircraft-type mechanical instruments and
precision tools. That is most apparent on the dashboard and instrument cluster, where
gauges were modeled after finely crafted timepieces. A compass incorporated into the
“barrel” surrounding the speedometer moves with every turn of the vehicle, providing
an at-a-glance directional confirmation. “Our goal was not to hide but to show how this
vehicle is put together, and the high quality of its craftsmanship, not unlike the finest
industrial-inspired luxury time pieces,” said Lyon.
Red backlighting illuminates the gauges, while a panel of organic light-emitting diode
screens is the foundation for the vehicle’s navigation, infotainment, phone and climate
Industrial-Inspired GMC Granite Concept Makes a Solid Statement
About Style And Function
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control readouts. The screens represent the next generation in vehicle information
displays, with bright, multidimensional readouts and intuitive controls that give the
Granite a modern feel.
Integrated within Granite are unmistakable GMC cues, including a center stack wing
motif similar to that of the new GMC Terrain. A prominent center console runs between
the front and rear seats, with ports to plug in popular portable electronic devices, as well
as storage compartments large enough for a laptop computer.
The center console also houses a unique transmission shifter. Rather than a handle that
actuates within a conventional gate, it is a simple, space-saving knob that rotates with
the precise clicks of a torque wrench. The gear selections are confirmed via LED
indicators.
Among the most functional elements of the Granite concept are reconfigurable seats.
The front passenger and right rear seats flip up and fold in toward the center console,
creating a long, unobstructed storage space. The Granite functionally addresses the
needs of young professionals and their activities without compromises.
The cargo area includes a number of compartments to store items out of sight. Cargo
hold-down provisions are built into the cargo area and the seatbacks have clasps that
can be used when the seats are upright or folded to help secure cargo.
The Granite’s interior is finished with dark tones on the bottom and complementing,
lighter colors on top, including suede-like Nubuck material on the seats and instrument
panel. The interior is further accented by satin-finish and anodized trim. The instrument
panel gives the impression of a command console, with driver-focused instruments and
controls set in an anodized panel.
“The look, feel and functionality of the instrument panel remind you of a fine instrument
or tool,” said Lyon. “Indeed, the Granite is like that – a precision instrument wrapped in
a protective, industrial case.”
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About GMC
Industrial-Inspired GMC Granite Concept Makes a Solid Statement
About Style And Function
Page 5 of 5
GMC is one of the industry's healthiest brands and is evolving to include more fuelefficient trucks and crossovers. The GMC Terrain is a smaller SUV that offers 32 mpg fuel
economy along with the capability, engineering expertise and refinement that have
defined GMC for more than a century. Complementing the Terrain is the Acadia eightpassenger crossover, Yukon and Yukon XL and Sierra pickups. Today GMC is the only
manufacturer offering three full-size hybrid models. Details on all GMC models are
available at www.gmc.com.
CONTACT(S):
Dayna Hart
GMC Communications
Phone: 313-300-8909
E-mail: dayna.hart@gm.com
Robyn Henderson
GM Design Communications
Phone: 313-269-3256
E-mail: robyn.henderson@gm.com
Samer El Khalil
Communications and Public Relations Manager
General Motors Middle East
Tel (+9714) 3143333
E-mail samer.elkhalil@gm.com