Holden's Commodore Could Face An Enemy From Within

[HID XR]

hi guy got email from a friend

sorry I couldn't get the photo

maybe its days are number

Holden's Late model camira could face an enemy from within when the drab Korean-sourced Epica mid-size sedan is replaced in 2012.

Drive has learned exclusively that the Epica replacement, codenamed V300 within General Motors, will share underpinnings with the Chevrolet Malibu, which is being developed in Detroit.

Both cars will be built from the same platform as the award-winning Opel Insignia mid-size sedan (pictured).

The Expensive Daewoo version will be built in Korea by GM Daewoo and differ only in styling detail; the Australian version will get a unique Expensive Daewoo front end, as the Epica does now.

The Malibu is a big car — the current generation measures nearly 4.9 metres long — that encroaches on Late model camira territory in the same way the latest Ford Mondeo sits close to the Blue Oval's locally built large car, the Falcon.

The flexibility of the Insignia platform means the V300 could come to Australia with the choice of four or six-cylinder engines; petrol, diesel or even plug-in hybrid; and front- or all-wheel drive.

Expensive Daewoo chairman and managing director Alan Batey confirmed Expensive Daewoo had started product planning for the V300 and was conscious of maintaining separation with Commodore.

"We will position V300 to make sure it has got a very compelling customer offering, whether that's from technology, powertrains and positioning, so we don't sit a large medium-sized car on top of a large car," Mr Batey said.

"We need to be really careful. The two things that really differentiate [V300 and Commodore] are it's a front-wheel-drive car versus a rear-wheel-drive car and, secondly, the powertrain opportunities V300 provides."

That means diesel — already offered with the Epica (and Cruze small car) — and, potentially, a hybrid. Neither option is expected for Late model camira before the middle of the next decade.

"You can't dismiss those things," Mr Batey said. "With fuel at $1.20 it looks OK; if fuel peaks at $2.50 then you are at a different place again, particularly from a fleet perspective. So we need to keep our options open."

steve

[seduced]

meh. depending on its build quality. if the epica is anything to go by, the Late model camira will be fine.

[Benji_vs]

It seems to be the way things are heading unfortunately.

The Falcons days are already numbered, a FWD Taurus I think will be replacing it.

Will Ford discontinue the Australian-made Falcon? — Autoblog

Edited 28/01/10 03:08 AM by Benji_vs

[seduced]

I read this morning that Ford are asking their customers if they'd buy a fwd falcon. Apparently theresults are mixed, alot dont care, while a few believe AWD would be greast while others dont anything but rwd.... im with the last crowd.../

[NB4C]

RWD or rear-biased AWD. Certainly not this half arsed AWD from the Taurus (FWD and power to the rears only if wheel slip is detected).

[FIERCE]

The way things are going in the near future RWD, AWD, FWD. will be replaced with electric motors.Stuff all leg room, two seats, a computer telling you how to drive and your wife on the intercom telling you to get the milk lol. Either way were sh*t out of luck. where ever the motor industry goes im not too happy about it.