Road and Track is Wrong and You Should Be Mad

"Brian Tschiegg" (WritingInCars) 11/14/2013 at 10:00 • Filed to: Road&Track, Isuzu, Vehicross, Concept Cars, Chevrolet, Chevy, Nomad

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A tragedy has occurred, one which we, as car enthusiasts, have a moral imperative to right. This goes far beyond someone simply buying an FR-S with an automatic transmission, far beyond someone daily driving an Aztek, and even farther than someone willingly purchasing a PT Cruiser. “What could possibly be worse than buying an Aztek or a PT Cruiser?” You’re probably saying to yourself right now. “I thought those cars were purpose made to torture unsuspecting car buyers.” Well, I’ll tell you: Road and Track insulted the Isuzu Vehicross.

I’ll take a moment to let the uncontrollable rage that’s filling your chest right now subside enough for you to wipe that foaming spittle away from your mouth. Gross. Get a hold of yourself.

Better now? I’ll explain the situation that caused a venerable publication like Road and Track to insult such a great vehicle, which is widely regarded by me !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! In November’s design oriented issue (which is pretty great aside from this random atrocity nestled in its pages), the Isuzu Vehicross is listed as a concept that should have never made it to production. While I obviously disagree with that fact, the real tragedy stems from that fact that they would have rather had the awful Chevy Nomad concept been made instead. Just to remind you what that would have looked like:

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Ok, it looks like you need another moment. Please try not to throw up in here. I just cleaned.

Better again? Now that you see my point, I’m sure you are all in the process of angrily writing letters to Larry Webster, the editor of Road and Track, so let me give you a little background for that letter. The Vehicross is one of the best examples of a concept making it to production untouched despite obvious quirks. It was a three-door SUV that combined all of the off-roading capability that Isuzu could muster with all of the dimensions of a Samurai that no one wanted or asked for. The results were divine.

The Vehicross was the first car to use a 3D modeling system that measured changes in the road surface and adjusted the suspension and power delivery based on these measurements. Coupled with the low overhangs at the front and back and generous ground clearance, the computer system made the Vehicross the most capable off-roader that Isuzu ever made. It also had stunning looks lifted straight from the concept and an innovative interior that was both luxurious and starkly practical. The seats also used red and black leather stitched together, which is by far one of the coolest combinations for an interior.

The Chevy Nomad on the other hand was a concept built on GM’s Kappa platform in such a manner that the platform was no longer “sporty” or “attractive” as it was originally billed by The General. Pinafarina provided the coachwork, but even they were unable to bring any fire to the design. It truly was the height of the retro styling craze that made everyone question whether the U.S. auto industry had any ideas left. GM may not have had any good ideas left but they at least had enough sense to scrap the Nomad and make something more sensible instead.

So Road and Track basically stated that they would rather have a terrible retro re-hash rather than a super capable and uniquely styled off-roader. This is more than enough cause to ask Road and Track for their gearhead membership card back. We expect an apology, not just for the people who trust your magazine, but also for the Isuzu Vehicross, a severely under appreciated vehicle.

McMike > Brian Tschiegg 11/14/2013 at 10:14

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To be honest, I thought the Vehicross was silly when it came out. I was like, "WTF, was the Amigo not small enough?"

Now, I take pictures of them.

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The reason I found them silly back then is oddly enough the same reason I find them interesting today. Quirky and silly looking will always have a place in my heart.

TimF101 > Brian Tschiegg 11/14/2013 at 12:02

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The Chevy looks like one of those Dodge bro wagons rebadged as a Chrysler. If nothing else producing something so derivative (and which has what looks like a deliberately misleading grille) should be grounds for shaking up the design team.

BoxerFanatic, troublesome iconoclast. > McMike 11/19/2013 at 18:33

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Except that Vehicross is significantly larger, and WAY more advanced technically than any Amigo/Rodeo Sport.

The red interior was too much, but other than that, it was a good looking 2-door SUV, with some forward design thinking.

With-a-G is back to not having anything written after his username > Brian Tschiegg 11/19/2013 at 19:18

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Hated the Vehicross when I first saw it, but I grew to love the quirkiness. I'm glad to hear that it was capable as an off-roader also, because that's what SUVs should be.

HOWEVER, for most people who don't drive up 45º rock piles, a low, sporty, 3-door wagon (like the Nomad) is more practical and desirable.

SpeedSix > With-a-G is back to not having anything written after his username 11/20/2013 at 22:47

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The 2004 Nomad may be practical, but I would seriously contest "desireable". Of the three Kappa concepts shown, the Nomad was my least favorite. It didn't have the muscular haunches of the Saturn Curve, nor was it a sporty roadster like the Pontiac Solstice.

Instead, it had weird rear lights, pathetic streaks on the tailgate to attempt to evoke the original Nomad, a gaping oval grille that did not fit with the rest of the car's styling, rather bland side styling, and an overall lack of harmony. While I do know that it was originally intended to emulate the 1954 Chevrolet Nomad Concept based on the Corvette, the execution of the styling was rather poor. The proportions of the design were awkward, from the shortened wheelbase to the bulbous rear and high beltline.

The 2004 concept as a whole generally aged worse than the 1999 Chevrolet Nomad concept, which was based on the F-Body platform and shared the V8 engine and rear wheel drive layout.