Almost two years ago to the day, Stefan Jacoby, General Motors International chief, told reporters at the 2015 North American International Auto Show there would be a new, rear-wheel drive sports car coming for Holden. The news sent a ray of light for the brand’s faithful, following the inbound demise of the locally-produced Holden VF Commodore.
Two years later, Jacoby, also pinned with the task of pulling the plug on Australian manufacturing, finally shed some new light on the upcoming Holden sports car.
Jacoby stated in a report by Car Advice that the new sports car will indeed be rear-wheel drive, almost surely have a V8 engine and be arriving by the year 2020 as part of the 24 new models coming to Holden by that same year.
Commenting on his previous statements, he added, “That was 2015 it is only 2017, please be patient.”
Jacoby went on to further state it will be a global vehicle, meaning GM brands across the world will see the same sports car. A refreshed, sixth-generation Chevrolet Camaro and the C7 Corvette have long been rumored as heading to Australia, but he went on to say the new sports car is “not currently in production.”
Whether it will be an all-new nameplate remains to be seen, but at this point, it also seems like the C8 Corvette, which is expected to switch to a mid-engine configuration, could also fit the bill Jacoby describes.
For now, all we can do is continue making educated guesses. In just over two year’s time, though, we’ll finally have our answer as to what Holden has cooking.
Comments
It’s gotta be either the Corvette or the Camaro! What else can it be? A hypothetical, possibly never-to-be-produced Alpha/Omega-based Impala?! Whatever it is, I’m confident it’ll be something this market deserves! Because the Holden brand just feels so wanting without a proper performance-oriented vehicle!
He said the vehicle is not currently in production. What does that mean? Camaro and Corvette are being produced. Would he word it that way meaning next generation of these cars?
Time line fits a C8.
Mid-engine Corvette made in Bowling Green would cost AU$250,000 at least. Meaning only lawyers and CEO’s could afford one after spending over a million on a two-bed-two-bath in the distant suburbs of Sydney. Let me tell you from experience that Sydney lawyers and CEO’s don’t like America, they think we are gauche. They will blow their $250k on a German. Bogans who like the Seppo’s buy El Camino style Ute’s. The rear-drive sports car will be an AWD Commodore Wagon sent to the HSV workshop to have the rear roof hacked off and the front shafts removed.
I’m interested, but not in a Camaro or a Corvette. If it is similar to the Dodge Challenger in size, style, and base model pricing, I’ll be looking.