Word has it that Opel is on the up. We’ve already seen proof of this at this year’s Geneva Motor Show, but now Opel are setting their sights on a new model, a large SUV.
According to a report by Auto Bild, Opel is planning a new large SUV to go into production in 2017, with prices starting at around 26 000 Euros (R393 528 as the Rand/Euro exchange rate sits currently). The SUV will be built at the firm’s Ruesselheim plant, as confirmed by GM CEO Mary Barra in January when she declined to give any details on a confirmed new model to be produced at the plant.
Internally, the new flagship Opel is touted as being the Monza, the same name as the Opel Concept from the 2013 Frankfurt Auto Show. The name is likely to change ahead of production though, but styling may remain true to the concept, for the most part anyway. The Monza concept previewed Opel’s future design language, so it’s no surprise the SUV would retain many character traits from the concept such as the headlights, chrome detailing, and similarly shaped air inlets.
The Monza SUV, which will replace the Insignia as the top-dog in Opel’s brand structure, is said to share underpinnings with a model from Buick, however it has not been confirmed whether or not this platform will be designed with Opel’s new architecture or not – we hope it is designed and engineered by Opel. According to Auto Bild, the Monza SUV will be just less than 5 metres long.
With Opel planning 23 new models and 13 new powertrains, with 3 new engine families in the next 4 years, the Monza SUV will probably be powered by a new engine family. Entry level models will possibly start with Opel’s new 1.6 turbo-diesel “whisper-diesel” engine and a petrol variant, and the top of the range will most likely feature a larger displacement 6-cylinder engine.
Ahead of any design leaks the Monza SUV has been rendered, and if it looks anything like the image above in production guise, then we approve, very much so.
