2015 Chevrolet Trax First Look

With the unexpected sales success of the Buick Encore, General Motors is adding another small crossover to its lineup: the 2015 Chevrolet Trax. When first shown at the 2012 Paris auto show, the Trax was initially slated for 140 global markets outside the U.S. Apparently the automaker has changed its plans as a U.S.-spec Chevrolet Trax has been confirmed for the 2015 model year during the 2014 New York auto show this week. The Chevrolet Trax is based on the same Gamma II global small-car platform that underpins the Encore as well as the Chevy Sonic and Spark. That means the mini crossover’s motivation comes from the same 138-hp, 148 lb-ft of torque 1.4-liter turbocharged I-4 used in the Buick and Chevrolet Cruze and Sonic. That sole engine is mated to a six-speed automatic with TAPShift control. The transmission features a short first gear and tall sixth gear for “robust acceleration” and decent highway fuel efficiency, according to Chevrolet. Like the Encore, front-wheel drive is standard and all-wheel-drive is available. The Trax uses the same suspension setup as the Encore: MacPherson struts, coil springs, and stabilizer bars up front and a torsion beam setup out back. While all Encore variants feature four-wheel disc brakes, front-drive Trax models feature front discs and rear drums. The all-wheel-drive Trax gets discs all around. Although it shares the same chassis and mechanical bits as the Encore, the styling bits on the Trax are all Chevrolet. Up front, the Trax features the bow-tie brand’s dual-port grille with thin chrome horizontal slats flanked by squared-off headlights. Along the side, the Trax has bolder fender bulges and the lower edge of the door is straighter and the rear door’s small quarter window is more rectangular. Around back, the taillights are also squarer and the rear window appears to be flatter. Black lower cladding frames the bottom of the vehicle. Faux front and rear skid plates are available options. Base LS models come with 16-inch steel wheels, while the LT gets alloy wheels and the LTZ gets 18-inch alloys. The Trax’ “dual-cockpit” interior should be familiar to Sonic owners including the motorcycle inspired gauge cluster with analog tachometer and digital speedometer, three-spoke steering wheel (leather-wrapped on LTZ and some LT models), and dashboard including the multiple cubby holes and dual glove boxes. Cloth seats are standard on LS models, while LT models are available with cloth/leatherette seats and LTZ models get full leatherette trim. Interior color choices include Jet Black, Jet Black/Titanium, and Jet Black/Brownstone. Dealer Pricing Research & Reviews Loan Quote Select Make Select Model

View the original article here