What's in a Name: Chilean and Brazilian Chevy Vectras

In the beginning we wanted to write about the new Chilean market Chevrolet Vectra but for no particular reason we decided to spend some time looking into GM's global crate of nameplates. Now, pay attention because you may get lost in translation: in Europe, GM's execs scraped the Vectra name as it was considered synonymous with "boring" in favor for the more snazzy "Insignia". In Chili, the current Chevy Vectra which is the same car as the outgoing European Opel / Vauxhall Vectra will be physically replaced by the Insignia but for some reason, the new mid-size sedan will retain the same name as before.

Moving east to Brazil and Argentina, GM thought it would be a good idea to patch the Vectra nameplate on the Chevy branded, third-generation Opel Astra sedan and hatchback models. However, in the same two South American countries, Chevrolet continues to sell Opel's previous, second-generation subcompact model as the Astra! And just for the record, the Omega nameplate that once decorated Opel's last, range-topping RWD sedan, is now used on Chevrolet's Brazilian market Holden Commodore aka the Pontiac G8... Don't you just love GM's name-sharing bin; nothing ever goes wasted!

Official: 2008 Opel Vectra Successor To Be Named Insignia

Opel today announced that their next-generation mid-size car which will succeed the current Vectra will bear the name “Insignia” after the concept that broke cover at the 2003 Frankfurt Show in Germany. Furthermore, GM’s European subsidiary revealed that the Insignia will make its public debut at the at 2008 British Motor Show next July. The new Insignia family, which will be built at Opel’s home plant in Rüsselsheim, will be inspired from the GTC concept car (click here for the video) that we first saw at this year’s Geneva Show in March. -Continued after the jump

“Dynamic performance is one of the Opel brand’s core values. In the new Opel Insignia, this defining characteristic is realized by sophisticated powertrain technology, active safety and the interface between driver and car. The Insignia’s level of comfort and environmental friendliness is unrivaled even among considerably more expensive competitors,” says Alain Visser, Chief Marketing Officer, General Motors Europe.

When it comes to the new car’s design, Visser says, “A closer look at our groundbreaking GTC concept car gives a good idea of how exciting Opel’s new design language will be.”

2009 Opel Calibra Coupe CGI

Could Opel give birth to a new incarnation of the Calibra Coupe based on the stunning GTC Concept? British magazine Autoexpress sure thinks so and so do we. Opel officials might have not confirmed a production version of the GTC shown at this year’s Geneva Show, but they sure as hell haven’t disconfirmed the rumours. A couple of months ago we interviewed a high-rank Opel designer who told us when we asked about a possible production version of the GTC that they we’re surprised with the positive feedback and there’s certainly an empty space in their range for a mid-size sports coupe. In other words, Opel’s definitely thinking about it. -Continued: Click “Read More…” below

Judging from the Vectra prototypes (due in summer 2008) the we've seen, we’d say that if Opel decides to go ahead and build the spiritual successor of the ’90s Calibra Coupe (maybe with a new nameplate), the 2+2 coupe would retain the GTC’s design to the max. And if so, the OPC version fitted with the 2008 Saab 9-3’s 280Hp 2.8 V6 Turbo engine and AWD system could very well look like Autoexpress’s computer generated images. Heck, maybe even a Saturn version could be on its way if Opel (hopefully) says yes...

Pics Via: Autoexpress

2008 Opel Vectra: New Spy Pictures Emerge

First of all let us give our props to Opel execs for allowing the next-generation Vectra designers to stay as close as possible to the Geneva Show GTC Concept. By doing this we have the impression that the new Vectra –and subsequently Saturn, will have one of the best looking mid-size sedans in the market. We just hope that its underpinnings prove an equal match to its spicy design in-and-out.

From what we’ve gathered, the Vectra will be based on GM’s all-new mid-size platform which will allow the use of a 4WD system for the very first time. The engine range will include a 1.6-Litre petrol motor (probably available in 150 and 180Hp guises), along with GM’s updated 280Hp 2.8-Liter V6 Turbo and 180Hp 1.9-Liter Turbo Diesel that were recently introduced in the revised Saab 9-3. There’s a slight chance that Opel will present the new Vectra in Frankfurt, but we’ll get back on you as soon as we confirm it with our insiders. -More pictures after the jump

Via: Jalopnik , Source: Autogespot

2008 Opel Vectra Spied

Due to be unveiled at the 2008 London Motor Show (July 23 to 3 August, 2008) the new Opel Vectra (which will also base a mid-size Saturn) has been caught on camera by Automotorsport performing test runs on an airfield in Germany. Despite the "military" camouflage it’s quite obvious that Opel designers took a really close look at the Geneva Show GTC Concept while drawing up the Vectra. Undoubtedly, Vectra’s most prominent feature is its sleek, coupe-like roofline. If you’ve seen the GTC’s interior then you won’t be surprised with the Vectra’s cabin as according to Opel’s officials, what you saw in Geneva is roughly what you’ll get in 2008. -Continued after the jump

The new Vectra will based on GM’s all-new mid-size platform which will allow the use of a 4WD system for the very first time in the models history. The same platform will also be used on the next generation Saab 9-3 & 9-5 and Cadillac BLS. The Vectra will be offered with a wide variety of engines including an 180Hp+ 1.6-liter Turbo and 290Hp 2.8-liter V6 Twin-Turbo versions.

Pics via: Automotorsport.se

Technorati: Opel+Vectra, Saturn, cars, Carscoop,

2008 Opel Vectra Renderings

Opel’s leaving aside the current Vectra’s conservative looks for its next generation mid-size sedan that will most probably also find its way across the Atlantic as a Saturn model. The German based car-manufacture has already tipped us through the Geneva Show GTC Concept on how the new Vectra will look like. Based on that fact Autoexpress has created a couple of photoshop renderings that preview a sporty looking 2008 Vectra.

Based on a brand-new platform the Opel’s new mid-size sedan will be offered with a wide range of petrol and diesel engines including a supped-up version of the current twin-turbo 2.8 V6 with 290Hp. From we learned from a Saab exec, this engine will make its debut on a top-spec 4-wheel-drive version of the facelifted Saab 9-3 which will be presented at Frankfurt. Via: Autoblog.it , Source: Autoexpress

Technorati: Opel+Vectra, auto+news, car+news, automobile, cars, automotive, vehicles, autos, Carscoop, blogs, 2007, images, pictures

Opel Vectra successor rumored to debut at next year’s London Show

British car magazine Autocar is reporting that GM officials are seriously considering to debut Opel’s Vectra successor at the 2008 London Motor Show (July 23 to 3 August). According to the report, a GM executive who wanted to remain anonymous told Autocar, “It is not quite finalised, but you should expect the new mid-sized car to launch in Britain”. London or not, the next generation Vectra that’ll take on several design cues from the GTC Concept will definitely go on sale in Europe in mid 2008. Via: Autocar

Technorati: Opel+Vectra, Opel+GTC, , auto+news, car+news, automobile, cars, automotive, vehicles, autos, Carscoop, blogs, images, pictures, 2007