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2020 Chevy Trax spied sporting design cues from the new Blazer

We saw spy shots in August for what we thought was either a redesigned Chevrolet Trax or new GMC subcompact crossover. At the time we were leaning Chevy. But after this latest batch of spy shots taken near GM's proving grounds, we're now thinking this one is the Trax replacement and the other one was a GMC. For one, the thin row of LEDs looks remarkably similar to the 2019 Chevy Blazer's LED strip. The additional light slightly below that is similar to the Blazer as well, leading us to believe that the next Trax will have a Blazer-esque front end. At first glance, this vehicle looks slightly larger than today's Trax with a much brawnier shape than the current blob-like design. The rear roof cladding could be hiding the same sloped rear window with spoiler hangover we see on the Blazer. Circling back to the other small GM crossover we caught testing, this one doesn't have those Blazer elements. The curved windshield and sloping roof are like those of the GMC Terrain, as are the horizontal grille bars. By contrast, the above car has a straighter windshield and a roof shaped more like the Blazer. One element that does seem to diverge from the new Blazer are the taillights, but they don't exactly look production-ready anyway. If we're right about this being the next Trax (and we're pretty sure we are) then this looks to be a more distinctive vehicle than what it will replace. The mirrors have left their awkward spot on the doors, and it's shaping up to be a much sportier looking crossover as a whole. This vehicle will most likely end up being a 2020 model year car, and if so, we would expect to see undisguised photos of both it and the assumed GMC version next year. Related Video: Featured Gallery 2020 Chevrolet Trax spy shots Spy Photos Chevrolet GMC Crossover SUV Future Vehicles chevy trax

Safety group pans GM’s new Marketplace in-dash shopping

When it comes to our cars, is the Internet of Things a godsend? Or a hidden menace that will create more problems than it will solve? On the same day General Motors announced it will equip newer-model cars with its in-dash Marketplace e-commerce app, a prominent safety group was shooting it down. National Safety Council President Deborah Hersman tells Bloomberg the technology will only contribute to distracted driving and hurt efforts to stem the tide of rising auto fatalities, which grew 5.6 percent to more than 37,000 in the U.S. in 2016. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says distracted driving was responsible for 3,477 fatalities and 391,000 injuries in 2015, the most recent year for which it has data. "There's nothing about this that's safe," Hersman told Bloomberg. "If this is why they want WiFi in the car, we're going to see fatality numbers go up even higher than they are now." Marketplace, developed with IBM, will allow drivers — or more often, one hopes, their passengers — to order coffee or food, find gas stations and reserve hotel rooms from their dashboard screens. The technology is set to be uploaded automatically to nearly 1.9 million GM vehicles model-year 2017 and later that are equipped with WiFi hotspots and compatible systems. By the end of 2018, about 4 million Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac vehicles will be equipped with Marketplace. The app will debut with a limited number of participating retailers, including TGI Fridays, Shell, Exxon Mobil and Starbucks, with more likely to join later. Online retail giant Amazon is also partnering with automakers such as Ford to bring e-commerce capabilities inside the car through its Alexa personal assistant. While convenience is nice, one other thing is becoming clear as the IoT wedges its way into our cars: It's taking aim at some decidedly first-world problems.Related Video: Image Credit: GM Buick Cadillac Chevrolet GM GMC Technology Infotainment in-car entertainment marketplace e-commerce

2017 GMC Model Year Preview and Updates

GM's 'professional grade' truck and SUV specialist continues to deliver its utility-with-luxury vibe, optimized in the all-new Acadia, relatively new Canyon and continual updates to its Sierra pickups and Yukon SUVs. GMC ACADIA: An all-new Acadia - pictured above - is aimed at the heart of the midsize segment. In an unusual step, the GMC product team downsized the Acadia, dropping 700 pounds from the earlier platform in the process. The new crossover is available in four trims – SL, SLE, SLT and Denali – and an offroad-oriented All Terrain package is available on both SLE and SLT when equipped with all-wheel drive. For young families, GMC introduces the industry-first Rear Seat Reminder, a prompt which will remind the driver to check the rear seat area before leaving and locking the vehicle. CANYON: The midsize pickup introduces two new variants for 2017. The upmarket Denali adds swag – unique chrome grille, 20-inch aluminum wheels and various interior upgrades – to its swagger, while the All Terrain X provides the adventure traveler with all-terrain tires, off-road suspension, Hill Descent Control and all-weather floor liners. SIERRA: The Sierra's maximum trailer tow rating of 12,500 pounds is the best in the full-size, crew cab segment. New features include Teen Driver, active aero shutters on all models and available tri-mode power steps. Also, GMC adds two new colors to the palette: Dark Slate Metallic and Pepperdust Metallic. SIERRA HD: The big news is the addition of the All Terrain X to GMC's heavy duty lineup. With an offroad-specific footprint provided by its 18-inch aluminum wheels and Goodyear Duratrac tires, ground clearance is enhanced by the Z71 off-road suspension, and an Eaton automatic locking differential keeps you rolling. TERRAIN: While the 2018 Terrain awaits its showroom debut, the 2017 Terrain's new Nightfall edition darkens the Terrain vibe. The one new color for 2017 fails to hit a brighter note; it's Graphite Gray Metallic. YUKON/YUKON XL: Perhaps the ultimate Uber capsule, the big/bigger SUV enters 2017 with a host of refinements, including GM's Teen Driver feature, upgrades to rear seat entertainment, available low speed forward automatic braking, active aero shutters for improved efficiency and one new color: Dark Sapphire Blue Metallic. If you're looking to maximize your visual presence, consider the SLT Premium Edition, which ups the chrome content well beyond the commercial minimums.