Return of Studebaker

[Hudson]

The Avanti Motor Corporation has been making replicas of the Studebaker Avanti, based on the Pontiac Firebird, in Georgia for a few years now. With the Firebird out of production, it was obvious that Avanti would have to develop a new product. In Chicago last week, they announced it.

The new Studebaker XUV is a Hummer H2-like SUV with four doors and powered by a 6.8L SOHC V10 (Ford) or 6.0L turbodiesel V8 (Navistar). The truck is considerably longer than typical full-sized SUVs like the Expedition/Navigator, Tahoe/Yukon and the H2, although it's roughly the same length as the Suburban/Yukon XL.

Although the XUV is just another larger SUV, it does feature an opening rear roof section (like the GMC Envoy XUV and Studebaker Crusier of yore) and unique (to an SUV) van-like sliding rear side doors.

It only took a few days for GM to take legal action on the XUV. The new Studebaker looks very much like the H2, so much so that GM felt a trademark infringement lawsuit was in order. Odd how GM could defend its H2's Jeep-like seven slot grille opening, but when a tiny company in Georgia starts making a vehicle that is styled like its prized H2, GM calls the lawyers to put a stop to it.

[redimpss5]

man, when i first saw the pics, i thought is was an h2! i can see why the general is pissed.

[Sadiztik-R]

where are the pics

thats crazy shit though

[crayzayjay]

Scummy GM!

Any pics or links to this Avanti?

[Chris]

http://www.zipp.com.mx/avanti/morepictures.htm
Theres some stuff; the front doesnt look very H2 to me, but the rear does.

[tman]

Studebaker XUV

GMC has an Envoy called the XUV now
It looks like a hummer h2
Navistar engine? OnSTAR NAVIgation

[SuPeRcAr_MaN]

I just saw this beasst on some TNN auto show coverage... I love it, but it does look a lot like the H2... I think I would take this over an H2, the styling is bolder and nice IMO... tman2093, did you say GMC has an Envoy XUV that looks like a H2 or is that just how you made it look???

[tman]

No, The GMC Envoy has a trim level called XUV. I was stating that the Studebaker stole Envoy's name.

[2strokebloke]

the H2 sucks - the last thing we need is another big dumb SUV, especially a Studebaker SUV (hey, remember the the Lark? there's a reason they went out of business!, the sad part is that the Lark actually temporarily kept them from going bankrupt )

[SuPeRcAr_MaN]

Originally posted by tman2093
No, The GMC Envoy has a trim level called XUV. I was stating that the Studebaker stole Envoy's name.

That's kind of like saying that everyone stole the SUV name from each other... XUV is just something to take the place of SUV for the companies that want to be different... And I am pretty sure the XUV thing was used bofore the Envoy.

About the H2, it ruined the reputation of all the Hummers that came before... It is more of a street car and has about as many off-road capabilities as any other GM truck/SUV. The styling is improved, but GM ruined yet another vehicle.

[kaskillah]

It looks like GM was afraid that you can make something that looks like a Hummer look nicer than a Hummer. I'd pick the Stude over a Hummer any day.

[db6]

I think the H2 is one of the ugliest cars today, not to mention the Studebaker XUV (which looks just as ugly if not more). The original Hummer looks functional. Its an excelent design, because everything in the car serves it's purpose, just like the Willys Jeep did or the original Land Rover. I would like to see a Studebaker off road... , trying not to scratch the paint...

[SuPeRcAr_MaN]

Well, since some one decided to dig up this thread, I got some info to share. GM is thinking about sueing Studebaker for the extreme resemblance of this car to the H2. And, GM is making an H3 based on the Colorado pick-up. I am very dissapointed, as I believe the H2 and 3, and 4? will ruin the image of the very respectable original Hummers.

[Hudson]

Supercar: Did you not read the original post. GM announced they were taking legal action when Avanti introduced the Studebaker XUV.

While the H3 is still being developed, the H4 was cancelled.

[SuPeRcAr_MaN]

Sorry, didn't see that in the original post, and I also didn't now they were already even thinking about and H4... The H2 and H3 are bad enough...