Spyshots: Opel Corsa SUV Out Testing Again

General Motor’s European division will be launching a new compact SUV based on the Corsa, which possibly could be joined by two additional variants to be sold in global markets including the US, where it will most likely be marketed as a Chevrolet or GMC. But before we get to talking about what the jacked up hatchback, let us just say that we are tired of calling it the baby Antara or the Corsa SUV.

Somebody had better find out what this thing is called before we start naming it the Beaver or some other name fitting a small vehicle with off-road attributes.

Opel already has the Antara SUV, known as the Saturn Vue in the States, but the Corsa-based SUV will take on a new market, filled with competition from rivals like the upcoming Fiesta-based SUV, Nissan Juke and Audi Q3, plus BMW offering of X1 and MINI Countryman.

The Corsa SUV could be manufactured in Europe at Opels plant in Antwerp, Belgium. Despite its small proportions, it will not be built as an answer to budget cars like the Duster. Instead, it will come with all the bells and whistles, including AWD and a mild-hybrid system that uses regenerative braking. We don’t really know what will power the crossover, but Opel has a huge bin of very efficient four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines that would fit it just fine.

We can also tell you that GM has put a lot of effort into developing this vehicle, as the company expects to sell 200,000 units per year. “Anything below that wouldn’t make economic sense as we wouldn’t then be able to fill a factory,” said GM’s Bob Lutz back in 2009.

Everybody knows that! What we don’t know is an arrival date, though it’s probably going to be revealed at next year’s Geneva Motor Show.