German Tuner/Builder 'Bitter' To Sell Modified Holden Statesman

[Mercedes007]

German automotive outfit Bitter Cars will be making a comeback with a new limousine based on the Holden-sourced Statesman (above), which it will showcase at this year’s Frankfurt International Auto Show. Bitter has a long history of building cars based on models from Opel, but this time looked elsewhere within the GM stable as Opel no longer has a decent large sedan.


More information: http://carblitz.blogspot.com/2007/02...on-holden.html



Holden V8 Bittersweet

Barry Park
20 February 2007
www.drive.com.au

The WM Caprice, Holden’s flagship long-wheelbase luxury sedan, could soon be sold in Europe. But it won’t be the Caprice as we know it.

Instead, it will be a reskinned, re-upholstered and retuned version of the Caprice sold as a Chevrolet Caprice Royale in Saudi Arabia.

The Caprice will be the second Australian car that Bitter Cars, a specialist modification workshop based in Dusseldorf, Germany, will use to create a niche model for sale in the European Union.

An attempt two years ago to turn the Monaro, sold in Britain as the Vauxhall GTO, into a low-volume collectible car (below) failed after Holden decided to pull the pin on the coupe, Bitter Cars founder Erich Bitter told Drive from Germany yesterday.

Click here to continue article

Meet The Euro Monaro

[Ming]

Bitter had a car that might have been a preview of this back in 2004, based on the old Monaro:

Bitter CD II is First Bitter Not Based on Opel

In bygone days many automakers supplied rolling chassis to coachbuilders that would in-turn produce the finished product, with styling and features unique to the design house. Now, major automotive manufacturers rarely join forces with third-party boutique carmakers that completely alter the character and look of their cars.

Beyond a Brabus tuning kit for a Benz or a Saleen performance pack for various Fords, Bitter Cars completely redesigns cars made by General Motors German division Opel. But rather than sell Bitter complete cars that it would then have to disassemble before adding their own unique bodies, Opel sells Bitter rolling chassis just like relationships of old.

After producing two upscale models in previous years, the CD in the 1970s and its successor, the SC in the 80s, Bitter ran into financial difficulties. Although the manufacturer continued to create prototypes such as the Omega-based Type III sedan in the 90s, there hasnt been a production model since that time. But now things might change for the better.

Once again, with the help of a complying GM of Europe, Bitter has an excellent factory-ready product. But hold on, in a break from tradition its rolling chassis doesnt come from Opel, but Holden, GMs Australian arm responsible for the new Pontiac GTO.

The GTO uses Holdens Monaro sports coupe, which is also the base for the second generation CD. With a performance history to live up to, the CD II will be powered by nothing less than GMs 5.7 liter LS1 V8 motor which has been tuned to a whopping 404 horsepower. Its a respectable gain over the standard 370 horsepower version, which comes as part of the HSV Monaro.

Reflecting the specification list of the old CD and SC models, the CD II will be offered with an automatic transmission as standard, as well as the option of all-wheel drive. A modern rendition of yesteryears Bitter? Its shaping up to be the car every Bitter fan has long been waiting for.

http://car-reviews.automobile.com/Ho...sed-cd-ii/280/

[jbernie]

Very good to see the new Commodore & Statesman/Caprice getting picked up the way they have. Holden should be proud of this.

[JohnPetrosky2k]

is there supposed to be a picture, 'cuz i cant see one

[Toto]

Please Opel, integrate Bitter like if you have it done with OPC. Refresh the CD2 on the outside and use the new upscale interior design ASAP.

Some links:

Bitter Club International
http://www.bitter-club.com/home.htm

CD2 gallery at Bitter-Horsepower
http://www.bitter-horsepower.de/galerie.htm

[nadepalma]

Looks good. I'm glad it, it kinda re-affirms what GM-Holden is doing.

[CaymanS]

JohnPetrosky, it's a picture of a black Holden WM Statesman. The Bitter version will come out in September.
Mercedes007, I think it would be fit if you, at least post the source. Your article is exactly the same as my post in the blog, even the image and I believe mine had been posted hours before yours. I love your blog and your contributions to GMI, but someone needs to pipe in and tell you so at least credit goes to the right people and also the fact that some people get very erratic when it happens to them. I know you have only started the blog recently, so this is something that might happen to everyone. It happened to me back at CSS.

http://thecarblogger.blogspot.com/20...on-holden.html

[cad1cts]

i cant wait its gonna be super

[mkaresh]

Note to both bloggers: the welcome statements on your blogs could use a rewrite. Some bad English going on.

On the Bitter: I had no idea they were still around. I remember some Bitters that were sold in the U.S. back in the 1980s. Sharp cars, based on the Opel Senator.

[Aych Es Vee]

when is it going to be unveiled?

[DanCBJMS1988]

OH OPEL! ARE YOU READING THIS THREAD?

If a niche automater like Bitter can see the values of Zeta in Germany (let alone the EEA), and if Vauxhall sees the values of Zeta in the UK, then why can't YOU out of all people get a Zeta car going?

[HEVguy]

So why doesn't Opel have a decent large sedan anymore... Is it market demand doesn't require it? Or is it a gap they need to fill? If it is the latter, then why not bring the statemen production to the EU as an Opel?

[DanCBJMS1988]

Apparently the executive car market in Europe among volume makers is declining, even PSA and Renault are struggling - or so the rags would lead you to believe.

[mrmonte]

I just saw a Bitter the other day I think it was an 82-83 I remember seeing them at the New York Auto show that year. I didnt think that company still exsisted.

[mikmak]

I think the market for a Statesman would be weak, the Bitter will do well as a niche car, but Cadillac is probably suited better with the CTS being slightly smaller than the Commodore and a lot more appropriate for the confines of European cities (even that's a stretch). I think there is a big jump in socio economic levels between a prestige compact to a large car. CTS would def. be more suited. Incidentally, anyone know how well (or if) the BLS is selling?