Holden Drops Heavy Hints The Corvette Is Headed Down Unda’
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While the Ford Mustang is poised to gobble up marketshare for the affordable V8 market in Australia, Holden will be taking a different approach with its confirmed rear-wheel drive V8 sports car.
CarAdvice sat down with Stefan Jacoby, General Motors Asia-Pacific head, where his words fueled the idea of the Corvette heading to Holden.
Jacoby admitted a Mustang competitor may be a “missed opportunity” for the brand, but guaranteed Holden’s sports car would be in a totally different league, saying the following:
We are lagging behind Ford, obviously, in many areas [but] it doesn’t mean we don’t have the answer. I think when we come into the market we’re going to have a big surprise. It will be better than the Mustang.
There are some areas of the sports car [market] where Ford has no competitors to us. So that’s our opportunity. The super sports car – they don’t have it.
Currently, the 2016 C7 Corvette Stingray does not support right-hand drive, meaning the introduction would have to wait for a major retooling. Could Jacoby be referring to a mid-engined Zora Corvette? Anything is possible with this unknown-known.
If the Corvette would head to Oz, the price tag would reflect less of a Holden Commodore SSV Redline replacement, and more of an HSV GTS successor, with pricing projected around $100,000 AUD.
That last piece of news we’d heard on the Corvette heading to Australia involved a bitter trademark battle over the Corvette’s logo and badging, as the Australian government insisted it infringed on the Australian Red Cross’ logo.
Pressing for more details, Jacoby said Holden was not ready to make any announcements on the upcoming sports car, but reiterated it’s definitely on the way.
“You guys need a sports car over there, a Holden sports car,” he said.
“I think a brand like Holden, we need to maintain the sportiness, it’s in the genes. [That’s why] we will have a top-of-the-line sports car in Australia.”
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The article has one problem: Holden never said “rear-wheel drive” when it said it would keep a V8 sport car in the stable.
It makes no sense to retool a platform going out the door. Monza with E2XX and AWD, and Avenir with Omega. Those have always been the choices. I’m leaning to Monza after today’s chats.
It also solves Buick’s problem – no true GS flagship.
Christopher,
They most certainly did promise rear-wheel drive. And they’ve reiterated in past press releases, too.
http://gmauthority.com/blog/2015/04/holden-well-always-have-a-v8-sports-car/
Cheers,
Sean
Gotta split hairs there. They said eventually there would be a RWD V8 car to replace Commodore.
However, that may be in 2020 when A2XX arrives. Or the next-gen Corvette when it lands.
To “always” have a V8 sport car means that it’s likely that Holden will test the waters with something in-between. Monza is imminent, likely V8 capable, and AWD in RHD.
Also you have to sort out GMNA from Holden. Ackerson promised Corvette himself – and he misspoke according to Holden. I take Holden brass at their word. Corvette will likely reach Holden eventually, but not in time for Commodore to sunset (assuming Holden’s past statements are correct). Monza V8 bridges the gap.
If any Vette goes down under it will be the C8. A car of that price needs global presents.
As for the Omega I can not imagine it not being there. I think it is just a matter of time before GM gets things caught up and bring it out.
Right now the only thing holding up the Omega at Buick, Holden and Opel is the CT6 is not out yet. Once that happens look for work to become known on this project.
With the only competition for corvette sales coming from the likes of Ferrari (400k entry) and others in its league, 100k may be enough for a holding deposit, hope their plan does not require volume.