Holden not working on 'Torana' - "Yet"
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From: Australia
Holden not working on 'Torana' - "Yet"
This is taken from http://www.goauto.com.au. I don't know if it is on the web site yet. If you get their newsletter they also have some bit on Ford Aus which might interest some of you.
So who wants to read between the lines? 
Torana spark
GMH could be preparing to engineer a smaller car
By MARTON PETTENDY
“NOT yet.” It was this small detail from GM Holden’s executive director of engineering Tony Hyde last week which indicated that Holden’s 2004 Torana TT36 concept could still be alive – and that the Australian arm of General Motors could be developing a compact rear-wheel drive car for the world.
Responding to a report by US automotive website Edmunds.com that quoted GM product chief Bob Lutz as saying a new rear-drive Cadillac hatchback was under consideration to rival BMW’s 1 Series and Audi’s A3 – and which could be developed by Holden in Australia – Mr Hyde told GoAuto that Holden was “not working on anything rear-wheel drive that’s Torana-sized or smaller than Commodore – yet.”
He added that GM Holden was heavily involved in engineering the next-generation Camaro for GM brand Chevrolet, which shares the VE Commodore’s chassis architecture formerly codenamed Zeta and is likely to debut at next year’s Chicago motor show.
But Mr Hyde did not rule out the possibility that Holden could engineer and even build a smaller rear-drive model for global markets.
“It would be no different from Mercedes- Benz building one of its models for the whole world in South Africa,” he said.
Mr Lutz told Edmunds Cadillac needed an entry-level model, which would also “be required to support four-wheel drive”, to be positioned below the GM luxury brand’s Saab 9-3-based compact front-drive BLS model.
“We are looking at the possibility of rearwheel drive, but nothing is decided just yet.
(This layout) provides the best possible basis for agility,” Mr Lutz said.
GMH could be preparing to engineer a smaller car
By MARTON PETTENDY
“NOT yet.” It was this small detail from GM Holden’s executive director of engineering Tony Hyde last week which indicated that Holden’s 2004 Torana TT36 concept could still be alive – and that the Australian arm of General Motors could be developing a compact rear-wheel drive car for the world.
Responding to a report by US automotive website Edmunds.com that quoted GM product chief Bob Lutz as saying a new rear-drive Cadillac hatchback was under consideration to rival BMW’s 1 Series and Audi’s A3 – and which could be developed by Holden in Australia – Mr Hyde told GoAuto that Holden was “not working on anything rear-wheel drive that’s Torana-sized or smaller than Commodore – yet.”
He added that GM Holden was heavily involved in engineering the next-generation Camaro for GM brand Chevrolet, which shares the VE Commodore’s chassis architecture formerly codenamed Zeta and is likely to debut at next year’s Chicago motor show.
But Mr Hyde did not rule out the possibility that Holden could engineer and even build a smaller rear-drive model for global markets.
“It would be no different from Mercedes- Benz building one of its models for the whole world in South Africa,” he said.
Mr Lutz told Edmunds Cadillac needed an entry-level model, which would also “be required to support four-wheel drive”, to be positioned below the GM luxury brand’s Saab 9-3-based compact front-drive BLS model.
“We are looking at the possibility of rearwheel drive, but nothing is decided just yet.
(This layout) provides the best possible basis for agility,” Mr Lutz said.
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From: The Golden State
Holden is still getting it's VE line up and running finishing up the next Ute, developing the Camaro, getting a sedan ready for the US as well as the Monaro replacement, and may now even be doing work on the US RWD sedan. I doubt they will work on a Torana sized car if GM is serious about bringing the car out within 3 years. No time.
It is possible that Holden's engineering might simply 'assemble' existing parts into a new structure (unlike the current VE and NA RWD programs which developed all new components as well as chassis), so the development time might be far shorter. I'm just speculating here, but I don't see how Holden would otherwise have time to do a car like that within the next year or 2.
It is possible that Holden's engineering might simply 'assemble' existing parts into a new structure (unlike the current VE and NA RWD programs which developed all new components as well as chassis), so the development time might be far shorter. I'm just speculating here, but I don't see how Holden would otherwise have time to do a car like that within the next year or 2.
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Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 4,600
From: Pewee Valley, KY
I can't believe that people didn't highlight this part:
So would this timing be right for a 09 car?
Camaro for GM brand Chevrolet, which shares the VE Commodore’s chassis architecture formerly codenamed Zeta and is likely to debut at next year’s Chicago motor show.
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Posts: 13,713
From: The Golden State
A more production-like Camaro maybe (kind of like the Aura concept's relation to the production car). But not the unveiling.
Consider the plant Camaro would be made at will be pumping Grand Prixs and Lacrosses for at least another year, then is going to need a 6 month rennovation.
There WILL be at least 1 vehicle of very high intrest to everyone at Chicago, but it won't be a production ready Camaro.
If it's any consolation to anyone...... you will see a production ready Dodge Challenger this auto show season.
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Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 4,600
From: Pewee Valley, KY
Consider the plant Camaro would be made at will be pumping Grand Prixs and Lacrosses for at least another year, then is going to need a 6 month rennovation.
There WILL be at least 1 vehicle of very high intrest to everyone at Chicago, but it won't be a production ready Camaro.
How about a 'velite'ish grill? They both typically like to debut at Chicago.
If it's any consolation to anyone...... you will see a production ready Dodge Challenger this auto show season.
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Posts: 1,597
From: Mack and Bewick
Mr Lutz told Edmunds Cadillac needed an entry-level model, which would also “be required to support four-wheel drive”, to be positioned below the GM luxury brand’s Saab 9-3-based compact front-drive BLS model.
“We are looking at the possibility of rearwheel drive, but nothing is decided just yet.
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