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Despite earlier reports the four-door Zeta-platform GMC concept pickup truck would be coming to the New York Auto Show, we’ve been told by people in the know it’ll be hitting the floor at the Chicago Auto Show. We guess we’ll be seeing it much earlier than expected. Maybe “Maximum” Bob Lutz was just having a senior moment of some kind. Our sources also indicate it’ll have a drastically different look than anything else out of Australia with a truck bed — including the Holden Crewman ute up top. But it’s not just the looks that’ll be different.

We’re told the form factor will be an entirely unibody design — not just the weird-ass unibody front end with a half-chassis welded on to the back like the Crewman. A true car-based pickup truck. The mere thought’s causing our pants to start to tighten. We mean, is this GMC an xtremely interesting development or what? Come on, is this seriously the new GMC — Caballero? We can only hope. But one thing’s for sure, we’ll have more info later on as the story develops.

We don’t know if these images from World Car Fans are official sketches, but they look pretty darn certifiably real to us. The concept, rumored to be coming to the 2008 Geneva Motor Show, is supposedly a lightly disguised production version of the Euro Spec 5 door Lancer Ralliart. The car will undoubtedly be powered by the same 240 hp turbocharged four banger we get here in the states with the all wheel drive gadgetry and active yaw controllers thrown in for good measure. We’ll look for more info as this develops. [Carscoop]

The final concept of Chrysler’s trio for the 2008 Detroit Auto Show is the Jeep Renegade Concept. We actually find this one the most interesting, both in terms of design and feasibility. The Renegade features all-aluminum construction to keep its weight down, as well as what appears to be a parallel hybrid drivetrain consisting of the same 40-mile lithium-ion battery pack used in the Chrysler ecoVoyager Concept sharing duties with a small-displacement BLUETEC diesel engine. Jeep claims the Renegade would be good for more than 110 miles per gallon, which we think is probably accurate. Hopefully we’ll begin seeing fuel economy numbers like that when lithium-ion battery packs become more prevalent, as well as diesel engines for that matter.

The Renegade’s design is typical Jeep, focusing on adventure in all weather conditions. The speedster windshield and roll bar add some sportiness to the aesthetics, while the lower-door openings and hosable interior show it’s a true Jeep with a trail-busting attitude. The lack of any front overhang and the vertical headlights give the front end an aerodynamic yet rugged look that we think works well Jeep’s trademark seven-slot grille.

That’s the last of Chrysler’s concept trio that we were given a sneak peak of today, though all will be present and accounted for in January at the Detroit Auto Show. We’re not sure yet what the company plans to show in terms of production cars, redesigns and refreshes, but when we find out you’ll be the first to know.

[Source: Jeep]

Filed under: Concept Cars, SUVs, Trucks/Pickups, Japan, Tokyo Motor Show, Suzuki

The Tonkalicious Suzuki X-HEAD is already one of our favorite Tokyo ‘07 concepts, and not one of us has laid eyes on it in the metal. We hear the 4×4’s a dash over 12 feet long and is powered by a 1372cc engine, but that’s about it. For the rest, it seems we’ll have to wait. The new batch of photos we’ve obtained shows us that the plucky pickup can carry at least one dirt bike in back and that its bedsides flip down to reveal additional storage compartments. The matte charcoal tailgate matches the grillework, which receives the same finish. Inside, the “X” theme is carried through in the yellow portions of the seats (which do not look comfortable) and the shape of the harnesses. The letter “X” is so prevalent, we half expect to see this thing in the motor pool at Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters. We’ll bring you full coverage from Tokyo later in the month.

[Source: Suzuki]

Filed under: Concept Cars, Frankfurt Auto Show, Peugeot

Peugeot Flux concept.

We can’t imagine the thrill Mihai Panaitescu felt creep us his spine when he walked into the hall in Frankfurt and saw his design rendered in full form for the world to see. The winner of Peugeot’s 4th annual design competition not only had the opportunity to see his creation brought to life, but he’ll have the opportunity to drive the Flux in the virtual realm once it’s included into the fourth iteration of Project Gothem Racing.

You can read through Peugeot’s original press release on the Flux here, and check out our live gallery below to see Mr. Panaitescu’s pride and joy in real life.