The UK is a vital market to GM, it is the Generals fourth biggest market globally and its largest European market which means it was somewhat ironical that, at the height of GMs financial meltdown, there were serious suggestions that the Vauxhall brand be replaced by Opel in the UK.
That didnt happen but when I went to drive the new Antara soft-roader on its European debut, it was in Scotland – driving left-hand drive Opels…
Soft roaders are one of the UKs fastest growing sectors accounting for one in 10 cars sold. No doubt spurred on by the snowy winters weve had for the past two years and the reason why my X-Type wagon will make way for a 4×4 this summer.
Anyhow, back to the plot. The original Antara didnt exactly cover itself in glory, the Korean assembled car wasnt finished to a particularly high degree, the engines were coarse, the ride lumpy, overall it just wasnt very sophisticated.
All thats changed with the new model which has been totally re-engineered benefitting from new engines and transmissions as well as revised suspension and all sorts of electronic gewgaws including hill start, descent control and electronic all-wheel drive.
The 2. 2-liter diesel powertrains have been engineered in Italy by the GM half of the engine joint-venture with former partner, Fiat. Theres a choice of two: 161 bhp and 258 lb. -ft. of torque and 181 bhp with 295 lbs. -ft. of torque. Theres a 2. 4 gasoline engine as well, but that wasnt available for us to drive, although both the new six-speed autos and manuals were.
Its road manners were nothing to write home about in either a positive or negative way, it rolled a little in corners thanks to its higher than average center of gravity, the cabin was a pleasant if uninspiring environment to be in and the ride, on roads blistered and buckled by the severe winter Scotland has experienced, varied from acceptable to harsh and juddery.
Off-road, as can be seen from the picture, it coped with the mild artificial dirt road that has been crafted for it. None of the obstacles taxed its ability and, lets face it this, like its rivals, isnt expected to go where the hand of white man has never set foot. It will get the horse box across a grassy field or the jet ski to the launch pier, but thats all. And given that, it does the job.
Unlike the Insignia, the Antara isnt States bound but as GM gradually globalizes its manufacturing strategy there could be some more European engineered products heading your way.
I was told that 70% of Buick Regal buyers, surprisingly, come from either BMW 3-series or Lexus owners and that has encouraged GM to offer the VXR version with all-wheel drive and its turboed 321 bhp, 2. 8-liter V-6.
Just as intriguing is the prospect of a GM rival to the VW Tiguan, spun off the Astra platform. If we take this line of thought a little bit further and draw parallels with VAG…
Audi will launch its Q3 based on the Tiguan later this year to take on BMWs X3 so whats the chances of their being a Buick version? Or even a Caddy badged one?
Meanwhile back in Scotland, the mists had shrouded the snow covered glens around Loch Lomond and, what was that ripple in the Lochs dark waters I just glimpsed from the corner of my eye. Could it have been. . ?
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