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It's the British motor industry's most closely guarded secret, but Auto Express can reveal Vauxhall plans to play a TRIXX on its fiercest rivals. The firm is to drop the unpopular Agila in favour of a radical replacement.
Based on Fiat's all-new Panda, and taking its design inspiration from the TRIXX concept revealed at this year's Geneva Motor Show, the newcomer is set to go on sale in 2006. The car is instantly recognisable thanks to its bold face and intricately designed rear lights, and it represents a brave new design direction for the British company. It will be positioned as a low-cost alternative to vehicles such as the Honda Jazz and forthcoming Peugeot 1007.
Unlike the 1007, the wide-opening, sliding door seen on the original TRIXX concept will not be adapted for use on the final production model. Instead, the Vauxhall will be equipped with a conventional five-door format that is designed to be family friendly.
Big changes are also set to be unveiled inside, and the three-seater cabin of the TRIXX will be axed in favour of a four-seat layout. Vauxhall has chosen to ensure its car meets expectations in terms of access and passenger capacity, but that doesn't mean the firm has abandoned innovation entirely. TRIXX project design chief Stefan Arndt is reported to be pushing to include the concept's practical boot design, which sees both the tailgate and roof open to improve access. He is also keen to maintain the versatility of the interior, and keep the fold-flat, inflatable seat squabs recently revealed in Auto Express (Auto Focus, issue 802).
The choice of engines is likely to be more conventional, with the 1.3-litre CDTI diesel, jointly developed with Fiat, expected to make up the bulk of sales. But 1.0-litre and 1.2-litre petrol powerplants, carried over from the current Agila, are also pencilled in, and will probably be fitted to entry-level machines.
Manual gearboxes will be standard, although for the 1.3 CDTI, Vauxhall is also considering offering its Easytronic semi-automatic transmission as a cost option. The new four-wheel drive system developed by Fiat for the Panda is also available to the company, although it is unlikely to be used.
While prices will be low, the new car is expected to cost more than the current Agila, which is based on the Suzuki Wagon R+. The baby Vauxhall is likely to start from around £7,500, making it a tempting alternative to the entry-level Corsa. The new model's development and design is expected to be shared with Suzuki, which is already preparing a separate replacement for the Wagon R+ - a model that won't have the same bodywork as the Vauxhall.
Meanwhile, the Luton firm is reported to be developing a smaller TRIXX-style supermini that will remain even more faithful to the original concept. Should it be given the go-ahead, this upmarket, three-seat Meriva-based machine is expected to be pitched at rivals such as the Mini and Smart ForTwo, and will cost upwards of £12,000 when it goes on sale in late 2006.
It's expected to be powered by the same range of petrol and CDTI diesel engines, and should be extremely economical. However, that won't undermine the car's luxury character, which will be developed to target wealthy young drivers. Dan Strong
Article from: Auto Express
Based on Fiat's all-new Panda, and taking its design inspiration from the TRIXX concept revealed at this year's Geneva Motor Show, the newcomer is set to go on sale in 2006. The car is instantly recognisable thanks to its bold face and intricately designed rear lights, and it represents a brave new design direction for the British company. It will be positioned as a low-cost alternative to vehicles such as the Honda Jazz and forthcoming Peugeot 1007.
Unlike the 1007, the wide-opening, sliding door seen on the original TRIXX concept will not be adapted for use on the final production model. Instead, the Vauxhall will be equipped with a conventional five-door format that is designed to be family friendly.
Big changes are also set to be unveiled inside, and the three-seater cabin of the TRIXX will be axed in favour of a four-seat layout. Vauxhall has chosen to ensure its car meets expectations in terms of access and passenger capacity, but that doesn't mean the firm has abandoned innovation entirely. TRIXX project design chief Stefan Arndt is reported to be pushing to include the concept's practical boot design, which sees both the tailgate and roof open to improve access. He is also keen to maintain the versatility of the interior, and keep the fold-flat, inflatable seat squabs recently revealed in Auto Express (Auto Focus, issue 802).
The choice of engines is likely to be more conventional, with the 1.3-litre CDTI diesel, jointly developed with Fiat, expected to make up the bulk of sales. But 1.0-litre and 1.2-litre petrol powerplants, carried over from the current Agila, are also pencilled in, and will probably be fitted to entry-level machines.
Manual gearboxes will be standard, although for the 1.3 CDTI, Vauxhall is also considering offering its Easytronic semi-automatic transmission as a cost option. The new four-wheel drive system developed by Fiat for the Panda is also available to the company, although it is unlikely to be used.
While prices will be low, the new car is expected to cost more than the current Agila, which is based on the Suzuki Wagon R+. The baby Vauxhall is likely to start from around £7,500, making it a tempting alternative to the entry-level Corsa. The new model's development and design is expected to be shared with Suzuki, which is already preparing a separate replacement for the Wagon R+ - a model that won't have the same bodywork as the Vauxhall.
Meanwhile, the Luton firm is reported to be developing a smaller TRIXX-style supermini that will remain even more faithful to the original concept. Should it be given the go-ahead, this upmarket, three-seat Meriva-based machine is expected to be pitched at rivals such as the Mini and Smart ForTwo, and will cost upwards of £12,000 when it goes on sale in late 2006.
It's expected to be powered by the same range of petrol and CDTI diesel engines, and should be extremely economical. However, that won't undermine the car's luxury character, which will be developed to target wealthy young drivers. Dan Strong
Article from: Auto Express
It's like a SMART on steroids, but isn't as original, brilliant or as smart as a SMART IMO.
