The Monza name has quite the heritage behind it. The original Opel Monza, or Vauxhall Royale Coupe in the UK, first arrived in 1978 armed with four-cylinder and V6 engines under the hood. The car has become a bit of a cult-classic icon and, according to GoAuto, it’s poised for a return. And not just for Europe.
The publication reports Opel has trademarked the “Monza” name internationally, including in Australia. This fuels speculation that a coupe variant of the upcoming 2018 Insignia, Commodore and Regal program is well under development with plenty of input from GM Australia’s Melbourne-based design team.
Why a coupe? Because it’s already known the sedan will be imported as the next-generation Holden Commodore after local production ceases in late 2017, meaning, the Monza name will be applied to something else.
According to the document, acceptance is due this coming December to ensure rights for the name.
The 2018 Opel Insignia, based around General Motors E2xx front-wheel and all-wheel drive architecture, will already have plenty of styling influence from the 2013 Opel Monza concept shown in Frankfurt, and a coupe would sit quite well with the nearly confirmed wagon variant also forthcoming.
Although the Monaro name would seem more fitting for a Commodore coupe, we’re hoping that is being shelved until a proper right-hand drive program for the Camaro comes to fruition. And, as we await more information on Holden’s promised rear-wheel V8 sports car, a Holden Monza coupe will certainly tide us over.
Horsepower and grip take the win.
Amid a legal battle with a GM supplier.
Generally following the market trend.
View Comments
The Monaro is dead. Long may it rest in peace. They should've retired the Commodore nameplate too. No such thing as a front-wheel-drive Commodore. Not in my book anyway. If it's a Camaro, call it that. Same with the Corvette, Cadillac or whatever we get sent. Aussies like calling a spade a spade.
I wonder if the new Holden looked like this in the front and was RWD would they still complain?
I wonder why Americans like yourself take such exception to what we want for a car?
I normally enjoy your insightfull comments Scott but as an American you've hit thr nail right on the head.
"I wonder if the new Holden looked like this in the front and was RWD would they still complain. "...........
And that's the problem...... you still don't get it.
Do you have any idea how insulting your comment is ?
We're Australians and I suspect a lot of us don't really care about your Corvettes and Camaros, they have no heritage here.
The new Impala and upcoming Malibu seem more fitting for Holden given its price point as a value oriented brand. In addition, real Holden vehicles like Commodore are far more American as opposed to European in design.
GM is still a confused company that lacks the ability to focus on one global line up per segment like Ford and Toyota.
Why should GM have one value collection for the US and another for Europe when Ford proved ONE works.
The global hyper-brand needs to be Chevrolet, Opel, Vauxhall, Holden with Buick freed up to take on Lexus and even AWD Audi.
Corvette and Camaro are not Holden heritage labels but fit the brand well in terms of design and performance.
Also, Insignia is not Commodore. China needs a Park Avenue to compete thus Aveair will be built and exported to Oz for 2018.
Large cars are must in China and Zeta Park Avenue is already dated.