The Holden Torana name might not mean much in North America, but in Australia, elder enthusiasts remain nostalgic ever since its discontinuation back in 1980. Its formula consisted of rear-wheel-drive, a compact size, and no frills. Sounds a lot like the Chevrolet Code 130R concept to us, and Wheels magazine believes that’s what the Torana could be based on.
General Motors executive director of international operations Mike Simcoe also gave his approval of such a model, but didn’t blatantly confirm if either the Chevy or the Holden have been green-lit for production.
“Would I like to have a compact rear-wheel-drive performance coupe like that in any portfolio? Yes,” Said Simcoe to Wheels.
“Given that Australians – and particularly Australians who buy Holdens – are essentially enthusiasts and they enjoy driving agility and the character of rear-wheel-drive, then it makes sense.”
We can imagine the likes of Mark Reuss and Bob Lutz saying the same thing. As would we.
Comments
I say yes to this RWD, to heck with the so called SS Chevy. Who needs a beefy land yacht…
Can Chevy handle this all this models?
Spark
Sonic
Cruze
Volt
Tru140
Code 130r
Malibu
Camaro
Impala
SS
Compact CUV
Equinox
Trailblazer
Traverse
Tahoe
(trucks are not in question)
So lets sort it for ya!
City car – Spark
Subcompact – Sonic
Compact – Cruze
Midsize – Malibu
Large – Impala
Subcompact CUV – Gamma a’la Opel Mokka/Buick Encore
Midsize CUV – Equinox
Large CUV – Traverse
Midsize 2+2 sports – Camaro
Hybrid/EV – Volt
Simple enough? Here’s the things that don’t fit.
Concepts and nothing more – Tru140, Code 130r
Just a trademarked nameplate and nothing more – SS
Dead and never coming back – Trailblazer
Classified under trucks – Tahoe
I’m not saying that GM plans all these models for NA, reason I list these models is because some of them will get a green light for US of A, so I just wanted to see if all of them could fit under Chevy’s badge. SS/Caprice will join the lineup and most likely at least one of the the concepts that I mention. My question is, can Chevy have both performance and not so performance vehicles under one name? Cruze and Torana, Impala and Caprice.
Why ever not?
Chevy is mainly about affordable value oriented available for the masses vehicles.
I dont think that winning formula is compromised by performance or not performance / fwd . As long its reliable , relatively fuel efficient , safe , and inexpensive, it fits for chevy. Whether a car is RWD , AWD , or FWD is irrelevent in terms of whether it can belong in Chevy or not.
Not everyone can throw down $30-40 grand for rear-wheel-drive sports cars. Chevy can offer such cars for much less. And can then create a (new) burning desire and a greater, younger cult following. They’ve got enough appliances in the lineup, and this fickle audience that purchases them comes and goes. It’s the enthusiasts that will stick around. And its the enthusiasts that are opinion leaders.
Why does it have to be 30-40k? If sure if BMW can offer a compact performance car for 32k with standard leather and a 3 liter v6, than GM should be offer one for 25k without leather and a v4 turbo.
manoli you will see the largest chevy line up in history(worldwide) The SS name will be used within another name and for a lower priced performance rear wheel drive smaller car you will see a variant delivered to the public in the US and worldwide. slotting below the Camaro. You also have to remember there will be more models with alternative drivelines in the future. I look at our future at GM as bright and will cause a stir in the automotive world. We are trying to do better on keeping secrets than ever in the past and I know this makes your job harder sorry.
Great! I’d love to see a big lineup from Chevy where you could choose fwd fuel efficient or rwd high performance from same class.
JD, how long before Chevy spills the beans on the new NASCAR/production car?
i want the code 130r. and the tru 140s. and the ss sedan. and a rwd roadster/track-day speedster. and a small mid-engined sportscar like the opel speedster turbo.