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GM Design Chief Michael Simcoe To Holden: ‘You Will Eventually Get A Sports Car’

While Holden enthusiasts mourn the death of the locally-produced, rear-wheel drive, V8-powered Commodore, there has been a dim light at the end of the tunnel. In 2012, Stefan Jacoby, the man responsible for pulling the plug on Australian manufacturing, promised Holden faithful a new Holden sports car would arrive.

Since those comments, General Motors leadership has consistently deflected back to Jacoby to own up to his words. Most recently, though, newly-minted General Motors Vice President of Global Design, Michael Simcoe, stated there will be a new Holden sports car… eventually.

Speaking to Drive, Simcoe spoke on the 2018 Holden Commodore, which he feels will live up to the iconic nameplate despite arriving from Germany. During his statements, he confirmed there is indeed a new sports car coming, but revealed there is no set timeline for its arrival.

It remains without a delivery date,” Simcoe said. “It is the one question you people ask [Mark] Reuss or anyone else who’ll listen and you get the same reaction.” But, mark Simcoe’s words, as he followed up with, “You will eventually get a sports car, yes.”

What the sports car will be, and if it will be rear-wheel drive with a V8, remains to be seen. The sixth-generation Camaro is likely a sit-out due to immense investment required with the current Alpha platform, which was not wholly engineered for right-hand drive. The Corvette has been brought up, too, with subtle hints deeming the vehicle will head down under. But, we’ve has equally as much evidence saying it’s not the Corvette either.

All we know is Holden thinks it will knock our socks off when whatever it is finally does come to fruition.

Former GM Authority staff writer.

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Comments

  1. Either Opel GT (Blah) or Buick Avista-inspired vehicle.
    GM has become pretty predictable with so many concepts.

    Reply
    1. The avista was based on the alpha platform so that can’t be it. My guess is that GM has a new Global RWD platform coming in the 2020s and thats when Holden will get their sports car. Alpha has been around since 2012 so 2022 would be time for the replacement to be ready based on the 10 year platform goal.

      Reply
  2. It’ll be the mid-engine Corvette because right-hook / left-hook conversions are easier without an engine in the way, and it’ll cost half a Sydney house – A$500k. They’ll race it against Lambo’s in the Blancpain Bathurst…

    Reply
  3. If a GM V8 (and it must be at least 6.2L) does not eventuate I wonder if they realise that all bets will be off as far as Holden is concerned. Loyal Holden V8 owners will not be happy with a V6 FWD from Europe and will look else where. Some will even buy a Mustang and they know it.

    Reply
  4. I spoke with Tadge Juechter at the August Corvettes at Carlise this year and raise the right hook Vette his reply was that he still wants it to happen but that GM aren’t interested. Presumably because of the low volume of sales. Mean while Ford & their Mustang reap the rewards of forward vision.

    Reply

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