The Centaur’s dashboard flowed down into a center console awash with dials controlling “state-of-the-art” and “21st century” (Centaur-y?) technologies (via GMC). With only a few buttons, the steering wheel was minimalistic compared to the Trans Sport.
The half minivan/half truck was about as long and wide as the S-15 compact pickup and powered by a 3.0-liter, 24-valve horizontal in-line six-cylinder engine that sat in front of the back axle, according to Motortrend. Allegedly, the Centaur came with an “experimental 5-speed automatic transmission,” but all available photos show it with a manual shifter.
Other features included a self-leveling air spring suspension system and anti-lock brakes. All of this was on top of GMC’s claim that the Centaur’s bed had a 2,000-pound payload capacity and could pull a 5,000-pound trailer. In essence, the Centaur offered all the features of a car with all the utility of a truck. While the concept was sound, the look… not so much, and it never went into full production, like many of the coolest concept cars. The Centaur proves that while not all concept cars are worthy of mythological stature, they are worth the time and effort. Plus, they’re always fun to look at.
