Opel’s Reilly Confirms Coupe, Convertible (Calibra?) Buick Variant (Riviera?) Likely
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Buick Regal Coupe - Rendered by GM Authority (click to expand)
Almost a year ago, GM Authority was first to report that Opel is working on a coupe variant of the Insignia sedan. And less than a few days ago, Opel President Nick Reilly has revealed plans to introduce a new model based on the production version of the well-received Opel Gran Turismo concept first revealed at the 2007 Geneva Auto Show.
The new coupe will usher in a four seat soft-top convertible variant, further expanding the Opel line-up and continuing the financial turnaround of GM’s European operations under a more viable business plan.
“At the end of 2012 and the beginning of 2013 we will launch a new coupe and cabriolet,” Reilly told Germany’s Auto Strassenverkehr magazine, adding, “They will be all new and positioned between the Astra and Insignia.”
The new car may even lead the revival of an historic name, such as the legendary Opel Calibra. Asked about the possibility of this happening, Reilly replied: “We have strong names in our past. And we can imagine resurrecting one or the other”.
The coupe and convertible will be produced in Germany and are most likely to be exported to North America, where they will don the Buick badge and wear the Riviera nameplate.
The GM Authority Take
This is good news… until we get to the part where Reilly states that the new coupe and ‘vert will be positioned between the Astra and Insignia. Call us crazy, but it sounds like this “all new” model will simply be a two-door version of the already-successful Insignia sedan riding on the global Epsilon II platform. If that’s the case, then it’s definitely great news, since we will see a coupe version of what already is a beautiful vehicle. It will be interesting, however, to see how the new model will fit in with the rest of the Buick lineup.
Buick Regal Coupe - Rendered (click to expand)
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The only way these cars should wear the Riviera badge is if they look significantly different from the Regal. If they are just 2-door versions of the Regal (like the rendering above) then they should retain the Regal badge. Calling them Riviera would otherwise come off as being desperate to reuse an old name.
Yep, to bland to be a Riv …………
To sedan to be a Riv ………….
RJ Whats with all the dots? Your period key get stuck?
I do that because someone is always on the rag about something………That just gives those that are something to whine about…………………………
how about the calibra/riviera be based on the code with brand distinctive styling??