The news comes from Autocar and refers to the British firm Vauxhall, but the info obviously applies to Opel as well. What’s more, the model is reportedly already in the late development stages, even though we’ve seen no such model prowling the streets in camouflage as of yet.
Taking on models which have quite a reputation is fine and dandy, but GM’s subsidiaries need to produce an awesome product for it to have any chance in the market. Both MINI and the 500 have a sort of cult status that comes from endless marketing and good heritage, plus they offer premium quality. Suzuki has the Splash, while Ford has the little Ka, so there’s no room for error in a packed market.
A city car has been in the works for years now, and the last we heard of it Opel was going to turn its Trixx concept into production reality. However, plans to launch the car were suspended when the US-based manufacturer filed for Chapter 11 protection and started talks to sell Opel and Vauxhall.
The pint-sized car will be 3.7 meters long, which is only slightly shorter than a MINI Cooper (3.9 meters long), and will have a four-seater configuration with access being made through two doors.
The Vauxhall/Opel Junior will come with a funky new design, created in-house at the Opel design studio in Russelsheim, Germany. The design will have plenty of curves and bumps for that modern, urban chic look. The interior will offer a similarly city friendly appeal, and will come in a versatile range of colours and options. It’s a page out of the 500’s design book!
The company already has the Corsa and Agila, but this will be the car that comes with the most premium appeal.
Autocar says the production car will not be called the Junior, as another name has been registered and will be revealed in Frankfurt next month. Could this be another concept to be revealed there? Who knows!
autoevolution will be attending the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show, so stay tuned for some real up close and personal shots of the vehicles, as well as for first-hand details of the motorized contraptions presented at the event.
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