The Chevrolet Miray concept roadster makes its African debut at the Johannesburg motor show this week, and its name (the Korean word for 'future') illustrates GM's future on many levels - not least in that it was developed at GM's advanced design studio in Seoul, and that it balances state-of-the-art hybrid propulsion technology and futuristic styling with iconic Chevrolet design cues as Chevrolet moves into its second century.
The concept's profile is defined by wedge-shaped carbon-fibre panels, with accent lighting below an angled character line and scissor doors, usually seen on sports cars and racing prototypes.
The dual-port grille is flanked by LED headlights and dayight running lights, while front and rear fenders draw their styling cues from the Corvette. Carbon-fibre spoilers at the front corners smooth the passage of air around the vehicle while providing additional downforce.
The aluminium/carbon fibre composite rims (20" in front, 21" rear) have a turbine motif to give an impression of motion even when the Miray is standing still
The diamond-shaped interior plan was apparently inspired by a fighter-jet cockpit, with a carbon-fibre surround and asymmetric seats flowing from the doors into the interior. Accent lighting flows from the upper instrument panel to behind the seats to compliment the styling accents in leather and aluminium.
The seat cushions and headrests are mounted on a single aluminium rail, connected directly to the carbon-fibre shell, while the instrument-panel readout is back-projected on to three separate screens - performance in the middle, range on the left and navigation on the right.
The Miray concept is actually a runner, with a mid-mounted 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-charged petrol engine driving the rear wheels through a dual-clutch gearbox and a two 15kW electric motors, powered by a 1.6kWh lithium ion battery pack recharged by regenerative braking driving the front wheels.