FUTURE General Motors product plans have been leaked confirming a mid-sized, rear-wheel-drive vehicle that could revive the Holden Torana for the 21st century.
The closely guarded plans were unexpectedly revealed by the US car workers' union after it reached a tentative agreement with GM following a two-day strike mainly concerning job security.
According to a document leaked on the internet, GM's commitments to the United Auto Workers include a "Global Alpha" vehicle to be built from 2011. Alpha is a new, medium-sized, rear-wheel-drive platform said to be under development by Holden for General Motors.
This revives speculation that the Holden Torana TT36 concept car shown at the 2004 Sydney motor show could be headed for our showrooms.
The Torana boasted aggressive rear-wheel-drive styling and a twin-turbocharged V6 engine with 280 kW of power. When it was unveiled, the concept sparked speculation that GM would build a prestige mid-sized luxury car.
According to the leaked UAW report, the Global Alpha vehicle would be built in two styles. Best guesses are that they would include a lower-cost version and a premium-priced car.
Adhering to GM's global planning aspirations, the Torana would wear a number of badges, including Cadillac and Holden.
Holden spokesman John Lindsay is tight-lipped on whether GM is indeed working on the Alpha platform and what role the company will play in its development.
"This is something we definitely wouldn't comment on regarding future plans, future products. It's not something I'm able to get into or add to," he says.
The Global Alpha would be produced at the car maker's Lordstown, Ohio, plant. That increases speculation that a Holden Torana could be built in America and exported to Australia.
Engines for the GM mid-sized car will comprise only four and six cylinders, keeping V8s exclusive to bigger GM vehicles (including the Commodore).
Former Holden managing director Denny Mooney told Drive in 2006 that the company was actively considering a new mid-sized vehicle to build alongside, or even replace, the Commodore.
"I've been saying for a long time that GM has to do a (BMW) 3-Series sedan - one that is affordable," he said. "As I think about Holden's manufacturing plant and our future model line-up, I feel strongly that having a car like that would be dynamite for us." -- JEZ SPINKS
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