Is the Opel GT concept to be unveiled at the Geneva motor show in March a rebadged Buick Avista? And will the Opel GT itself become a rebadged Holden Monaro?
Opel’s confirmation that it will unveil a two-door sports concept on March 1 has led to reports in the German media that the car will almost certainly be the Avista (above) with an Opel nameplate.
Opel, Buick, and Holden are subsidiaries of General Motors and have a history of sharing models. That the Buick Avista/Opel GT will become the new Holden Monaro is supported by GM’s chief of international operations, Stefan Jacoby, who said last year that Holden had a V8-powered sports coupe in its future.
Opel chief Karl Thomas Neumann hinted in a video uploaded to media outlets that the Opel GT concept would be unlike any model in the company’s range – people will “see Opel with fresh eyes,” he said.
The Avista is a two-door, rear-wheel-drive coupe that shares its Alpha platform and identical 2811mm wheelbase with the new Chevrolet Camaro.
It is understood to be GM’s global coupe for both sides of the road. It was earlier thought that the Camaro would go global to rival the Ford Mustang, but GM has reportedly decided to stay with left-hand drive for Camaro.
Under the Avista’s bonnet is a twin-turbocharged V6 delivering 298kW, but any one of GM’s V8 engines could be optional powerplants.
Opel, Buick and Holden have shared many models. For example, the Opel Trax, Astra and Insignia became the Holden Trax, Astra and Insignia. Likewise, the Opel Trax, Astra, Casada and Insignia became the Buick Encore, Verano, Cascada, and Regal for sale in the US and China.
Holden will get even more models from GM’s overseas product line-up before it closes its Commodore and Cruze plants in Australia later next year. Thereafter, all Holdens will have doubles beyond Australia and New Zealand.
Reports in the German media say the Opel GT concept will almost certainly be a rebadged Buick Avista. Along with the video announcing the concept, Opel also generated an official picture of its badge. Neumann will show both at Geneva on March 1.
