By Steve & Tamami Laser
The new Ford Maverick and Hyundai Santa Cruz have led a resurgence in the small pickup market. So we’ve been wondering if Chevrolet plans to join the party? The answer is yes, with the pending launch of the new Chevrolet Montana early next year in Brazil.
While the Brazilian-built Montana will be sold in South America first, it’s possible that other markets, potentially including the U.S., might be next. According to Chevrolet Brazil, the Montana was developed in a partnership with GM technology centers in South America, North America, and Asia.
The Montana shares its name with a smaller, car-based predecessor. Yet this time around, it gains a more modern, four-door body style, riding on a stretched platform that also underpins the Brazil-market Chevrolet Tracker SUV. Power is supplied by a 3-cylinder, turbocharged engine rated at 133 hp and 210 Nm of torque, teamed with a 6-speed manual or automatic transmission.
Said to combine the comfort and handling of an SUV with the versatility and robustness of a pickup, Montana features a Multi-Flex bed. Designed to work as a “giant trunk” (874 liters), a lineup of custom accessories is planned, including multi-board dividers, storage compartments, cargo rails, a remote-controlled power hard cover, and a bed extender.
Inside the modern cabin, a MyLink 8-inch multimedia display with audio streaming and Bluetooth is designed for flexibility and ease of use. Wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ are part of the connectivity package. The myChevrolet app can control vehicle functions remotely, while Wi-Fi and OnStar® are said to be standard on all models.
Montana features comfortable seating with an SUV-style, higher driving position. The list of available safety and driver-assist systems includes emergency braking alert, blind-spot alert, electronic stability and traction control, ABS, rear parking sensors with backup camera, automatic headlights with twilight sensor, and hill-start assist.
The new Montana features seating for up to five passengers, with an easy to access rear seat. Chevrolet says the Montana provides a comfortable ride whether the cargo bed is empty or loaded, thanks to structural reinforcements plus a rear suspension with variable stiffness double-stop system.
The new Montana LTZ and Premier models will be built at the recently updated GM factory in Sao Caetano do Sul (SP), Brazil and also for export.
Should Chevrolet decide to offer the Montana, or a similar model, in the U.S., we would expect to see additional powertrain choices, along with local production, to avoid the 25 percent tariff on imported trucks.
Note: Product features, specifications and launch timing for Brazil-market models is preliminary and subject to change without notice. Montana is not available in the North American market.
News source and photos courtesy of Chevrolet and GM Brazil
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