Opel GT 5 yiar
Carsales Staff28 Jan 2016
NEWS

GENEVA MOTOR SHOW: Opel GT made in Australia

Sleek born-again compact GT coupe concept produced by Holden Design in Port Melbourne

When GM Europe revealed its hotly anticipated Opel GT Concept late last night, we overlooked one vital point: the first official images of the slinky coupe were shot against a Melbourne city skyline.

Naturally, that's led to various reports the concept was produced in Australia, despite Holden refusing to confirm any details about the Opel GT, which recalls its original namesake sold in Europe between 1968 and 1973.

Our sources have confirmed, however, that the much-hyped show car, which was designed by Opel in Germany and will make its world debut at the Geneva motor show on March 1, was indeed created by Holden Design in its Port Melbourne studio.

Furthermore, GM will confirm Holden's involvement in the concept at Geneva, where more details about the concept and its prospects for production will be outlined.

For now -- as is patently obvious from its lack of door-handles, wing mirrors and even side windows -- the car is purely a concept and will not enter production in its current form. It could, however, eventually reach Australian showrooms badged as the Holden GT -- especially since the company has committed to releasing 24 new models by 2020, more than a third of which will be imported from Europe.

Given Opel has now confirmed its born-again GT (in concept form at least) is a compact rear-wheel drive coupe powered by a 107kW/245Nm 1.0-litre turbo-petrol triple, it most certainly isn't the mystery rear-drive V8 sports car Holden has also promised.

That means the most likely candidate remains Chevrolet's new Camaro or next Corvette, sourced from the US.

Regardless, as a two-seat rear-drive coupe that's claimed to weigh less than 1000kg and hit 100km/h in under eight seconds, a reincarnated Opel GT at a circa-$30,000 pricetag to match the Toyota 86 and Mazda MX-5 would do Holden no harm.

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