General Motors Europe has announced first details of the new model that will return its Opel and Vauxhall brands to the booming 4×4 (SUV) market – the Antara.
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The model, a lightly reworked derivative of GM-Daewoo’s Chevrolet Captiva first shown at last March’s Geneva motor show, will also be sold in Australia and New Zealand as a Holden. It effectively replaces the Isuzu-designed Frontera in the GME and Holden lines, though that model was dropped some time ago.
The five-door, five seat SUV will make its world show debut at the Paris motor show at the end of September. The Captiva will be sold in Europe through Chevrolet (nee Daewoo) dealers.
External dimensions are only fractionally larger than an Opel Astra estate at 4,570mm long and 1,850mm wide.
The Antara has a car-like monocoque body structure, transversely mounted engines and a compact four-wheel drive system.
The interior is particularly stylish and looks similar to current GME cabins. Technology such as sat-nav and Bluetooth phone connectivity will be available from launch.
The first cars – expected to be the biggest selling versions in Europe will have a new GM-Daewoo developed two-litre common-rail turbodiesel producing 150PS. Both manual and automatic gearboxes will be available.
A 141PS four-cylinder petrol unit will join the range shortly after launch to become the entry-level model.
All versions of the Antara in Europe will have an active four-wheel drive system, which combines the fuel economy and handling characteristics of a front-wheel drive car with the grip and stability of all-wheel drive when it needed.
It features an electronically controlled electro-hydraulic differential which ensures optimal torque distribution between the front and rear axles in all situations. The drivetrain is fully integrated into the ABS and ESP systems, enhancing vehicle control and active safety.
A descent control system is also standard.
