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GM expected to debut two new crossovers at Detroit Auto Show

Next month, General Motors is expected to debut two new crossovers at the North American International Auto Show. That's according to Automotive News and The Wall Street Journal, which reports that the successors to the aging Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Terrain will finally make their debut. The two crossovers have been on sale since 2009 and 2010 respectively and are due for updates as the competition has newer models on the market. Both crossovers play in growing market segments where sales success is crucial for the respective brands. GM, and the automotive industry as a whole, has been shifting its focus towards crossovers in the last few years. The Traverse and the Terrain are some of the oldest SUVs on the market and are in dire need of an update. GMC's Acadia, the former corporate clone to the Traverse (and Buick Acadia), switched to a new platform in 2016. And the Terrain's platform-mate, the Chevrolet Equinox, was revealed a few months ago. Both the new Chevy and GMC models are expected to go on sale late in 2017 as 2018 models. Look for a follow up to the Traverse's sister, the Buick Enclave, to make an appearance soon. Related Video: News Source: The Wall Street Journal via Automotive NewsImage Credit: Reuters Rumormill Detroit Auto Show Chevrolet GMC Crossover SUV gmc terrain 2017 Detroit Auto Show

Regular-cab, short-bed Chevy Silverado Trail Boss pickup looks great

For all the wild popularity of full-size pickups, there's one configuration that U.S. buyers are no longer offered: the regular-cab, short-bed truck. Interestingly, however, GM still does make this configuration, and both the Chevrolet Silverado and the GMC Sierra are offered with it — in the Mexican market. That body style, however, is available solely in ultra-basic work-truck form. But a custom wheel shop, JC Wheels in the Mexican city of Culiacan, has converted one of these Silverados to Trail Boss trim, and we're digging the result. The sporty shorty Silverado Trail Boss comes to our attention via GM Authority, after the shop posted it on their Instagram feed. The shop added a 3-inch lift, assist steps, Chevy alloy wheels, a Trail Boss front fascia including red tow hooks, and Trail Boss badging. They also added dark window tint, which seems like a good idea in sunny Mexico. In the U.S., the Silverado Trail Boss isn't offered at all in regular-cab form; it only can be had as a double cab or a crew cab, the latter with a choice of a short bed or standard bed. But size is often a hindrance for trucks that actually get driven on trails, where this regular-cab, short-bed variant's smaller wheelbase would be an advantage. Beyond that, the Trail Boss upgrades keep this configuration from looking like a basic-spec machine. That's even more true of the same outfit's previous efforts: the conversion of the GMC Sierra regular-cab, short-bed pickup into a Denali. With so many buyers choosing pickups as personal-use vehicles, it's not hard to think that this configuration could find an audience here. But the key would be to do as this Mexican firm has done and offer it in the desirable off-road and luxury trims, rather than as a basic work truck. Would you buy one? Sound off in the comments below. The next step would be to use this configuration as the basis of a full-size, two-door SUV, in the mold of the classic Chevy K5 Blazer and GMC Jimmy.

AEV-upgraded GMC Canyon AT4X, Chevy Colorado ZR2 appear in spy photos

As with the previous generation, it appears the 2023 Chevy Colorado ZR2 will be getting a special AEV version. Not only that, but its twin, the GMC Canyon AT4X will get one, too. And as these spy photos show, they'll have some additional off-road accessories included, as well as bigger tires. We'll start with the GMC Canyon. The first example of the truck without any camouflage is not quite fully upgraded like the camouflage vehicles. But it has one part not seen on the others: the AEV snorkel. 2023 Chevy Colorado ZR2 AEV Bison prototype View 13 Photos The two appear to be riding on larger Goodyear Wrangler Terrain MT tires. These look like 35-inch examples -- 2 inches larger than the biggest tires available on the ZR2 and AT4X. They're also mounted on beadlock capable wheels. Besides the bigger tires, both trucks also feature a new bed-mounted spare tire. It's a full-size spare, and unlike past bed-mounts, this one places the tire flush against the cab. The benefit of moving the spare to the bed is departure angle. And while this position looks a little less like how trophy trucks carry their spares, it should provide better cargo space. Rear visibility probably isn't great, though. Generalizing based on what we know about the current ZR2 Bison, the new AEV trucks will probably get unique grilles, steel bumpers, fender flares, a suspension lift and possibly even axle ratio changes. Additional options such as a winch could be offered, too. We expect the trucks will be revealed within the next year, since the base trucks have already been shown, and these are just upgraded versions of those trucks. Related Video: 2023 Chevrolet Colorado walkaround