What's special about it?
Influenced by the active lifestyles of young drivers, Pontiac's Piranha concept is an exercise in mating the brand's athletic styling with low-cost performance and innovative features. Classified as a four-seat, front-drive coupe, it has a set of small rear doors to provide improved access to the rear of the customizable interior. Zip-in fabric panels make color and texture changes inside a snap, while all four seats are foldable, lightweight and removable. A pull-along tub with rubber wheels in the cargo area can serve as a portable trunk or even a large cooler, or removed entirely to provide a flat load bed for mini-pickup duty, complete with fold-up tailgate. Power comes from a supercharged 2.2-liter, 16-valve inline four-cylinder that puts 212 horsepower to the front 18-inch wheels through a five-speed automatic transmission with paddle shift controls. Rear rubber rides on massive 19-inch rims. Designers used athletic forms and materials throughout, drawing inspiration from sports tents, athletic shoes and biking gear. Piranha even boasts a pop-up roof rack system that hides out of the way when not in use.
Why should I care?
Expressive and highly functional, Piranha was developed using low-cost manufacturing strategies that reduced weight and the overall cost of the vehicle. As a fresh, modern reflection of the brand's styling themes, this little car employs some nifty new features that would have real appeal to young drivers. It's a high-style, fun-to-drive, affordable lifestyle vehicle. Too bad somebody at GM gave the go-ahead to build the frumpy Pontiac Aztek instead. When it comes to balancing form and function, we think the Piranha just eats the Aztek alive.
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