New Opel Antara Could Join Captiva At Holden

[JoeT]

GM Opel Reveals Production Antara & The Premium SUV
Could Become A Holden

Marton Pettendy
12 May 2006
www.goauto.com.au

Holden has refused to rule out the possibility of Opel's sexy new Antara crossover, revealed this week in final production trim ahead of its public debut at Paris in September, joining its range at some stage Down Under.

While the GM Daewoo-developed Captiva seven-seat SUV will form the basis of Holden's SUV fightback in the Ford Territory-dominated medium SUV class here, Fishermens Bend admits it's investigating two all-new SUVs to bookend the crossover that's likely to replace the unpopular Adventra this year.

At the compact end is a smaller sibling for the sub-$40,000 Captiva: the T2X concept that graced Holden's stand at the Melbourne motor show in March and which could eventually become Holden's answer to the low-$30,000 small SUVs like Toyota's RAV4.

At the other end is Opel's Antara, which is closer in size to Captiva than T2X and could for the first time give Holden a more expensive premium SUV rival for the likes of BMW's X5.

"It (Antara) certainly offers us another (SUV) option," Holden spokesman Jason Laird told GoAuto. "The premium coupe-SUV style of vehicle certainly presents us with another opportunity.

"The benefit of being a global company is that we have many options when it comes to new models. But at this stage only Captiva is confirmed for Australia," he cautioned.

First seen as the three-door Antara GTC concept at last September's Frankfurt motor show, GM's European affiliate appears to have blunted little of the premium SUV's crisp, edgy attraction in its mutation from concept to (five-door) reality.

Antara is aimed directly at Europe's crossover/SUV market, which has doubled from three to six per cent since 1998 and the entry-level version is powered by a 104kW 2.4-litre petrol engine in Europe, where base pricing has been set at 26,850 euro ($A44,500).

While a 165kW 3.2-litre V6 will also be offered in Europe, Opel expects the 110kW 2.0-litre turbo-diesel to be the top-seller.

Antara features an electro-hydraulic differential, ABS and ESP systems to split torque, and measures 4570 long, 1850mm wide and a squat 1700mm high - making it about the same size as a medium sedan.

Cool crossover: Antara could be sold alongside Holden's forthcoming Captiva and T2X-based SUV

[Gm786]

Looks nice. I'm liking that interior.

[asim]

I LOVE these SUVS...

[Proctizzle]

so...can anyone say 2008 saturn vue?

[Aych Es Vee]

Captiva front end on the Antara would be great.

[mikmak]

I like its own front end better than captiva. Loving the steering wheel and the rear already has a tangible link to the Captiva tail lights. From someone that doesn't like SUVs, I like it!

[paul8488]

Wow, sounds like there's going to be some pushing and shoving in the ranks of Holden's SUVs in Australia. T2X, Captiva, AND Antara?!? Unless the T2X is quite small (keeping it 2-door would make it more unique, of course) and the Anatara is super luxed-out, I don't see how these three won't be stepping all over each other in the same showroom. Ah well, choice is nice... I'm just glad GM is adding to its roster of vehicles to chose from, especially since most of these vehicles are global.

I REALLY hope the T2X (they'll certainly give it a real name) keeps its wonky looks. I'll be dissapointed if it looks like the Captiva and Antara. I always loved the Tracker, so I'd love to see another fun, cheap off-roader like that.

[Mikkoo]

It should be in the Holden lineup too. Why not make the Captiva a world vehicle.

[Bravada]

Hmm, Captiva IS more or less a global vehicle, only the Americas need to be graced with it. I believe you meant "Antara". I really don't think it's that good and logical to have them both under the same brand. This is another example that GM could've done better by introducing GM DATs as Chevrolets in OZ...

I like the Laguna-inspired back, the front is nicely original too, but the vents totally ruin the interior. Whoever designed these should be fired.

[JoeT]

Originally Posted by Bravada

This is another example that GM could've done better by introducing GM DATs as Chevrolets in OZ...

Can't agree with you on that one. GM already has two successful brands in Australia & New Zealand
(Holden & Saab), and with GM's global brand Cadillac on the way, I think thats more than enough.

[Stormin]

Originally Posted by Bravada

I really don't think it's that good and logical to have them both under the same brand. This is another example that GM could've done better by introducing GM DATs as Chevrolets in OZ...

Chevrolet = Big American cars to Australians, not entry-level cars from Korea. Same with Pontiac. The last Vauxhall was here in 1969. No other GM brand name has any currency in Australia. It just wouldn't work here.

[Stormin]

Except for Saab, which JoeT mentioned.

[steverino]

Bring it on, GM

[Bravada]

Originally Posted by Stormin

Chevrolet = Big American cars to Australians, not entry-level cars from Korea. Same with Pontiac. The last Vauxhall was here in 1969. No other GM brand name has any currency in Australia. It just wouldn't work here.

And do you think it was any different in Europe? And somehow it works very well!

[Stormin]

Well yes. Population for one thing. Roughly half a billion population base will support a new brand name, with only 20 million it would be hard. And that population is spread. I live in Perth and the nearest State capital city is over 2600 km away. Even so, most centres have Holden dealerships. To establish another network would not be cost effective. If the suggestion is to use the existing Holden network, then why bother using the Chevrolet name.

Holden represents what all the GM divisions combined do in other countries. From entry-level to large RWD. The Rodeo gives them a presence in the commercial field and the Captiva will give them a volume SUV.

It's very difficult for a new brand to establish itself here. Ford, Mazda, Nissan and Honda only sell under those brand names, even though they have access to other names used in other countries. Mazda pulled back to just one. Only Toyota has succeeded with the Lexus name.

Bravada, trust me. It just wouldn't work here.