Torana rumours getting louder again

[AC]

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/ipad/tor...-1226330873357

CARMAKER Holden may be hatching a plan to bring back the legendary Torana.
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Wheels magazine says the idea of a new mid-sized, real-wheel-drive that captures the same spirit as its namesake, is germinating deep within the company as Holden contemplates the longer-term outlook for its manufacturing operations.

The magazine says while the company recognises that its future lies with building front-wheel-drive vehicles, it is also conscious of its sporting, rear-drive heritage.

It believes the concept of a new Torana lies in a localised version of a US model, the Chevrolet Code 130R, which was shown as a concept at the Detroit motor show in January.

While not yet approved for production, the Chevrolet is based around the idea of a compact rear-wheel-drive coupe with a four-cylinder, turbocharged engine that could also have enough room under the bonnet to take a V6 or even a V8.

If the car is approved for the US, the chances of it also coming to Australia are good, Wheels says.

The idea also has some support within the company with General Motors executive director of international operations Mike Simcoe enthusiastic about the prospect.

"Would I like to have a compact rear-wheel-drive performance coupe like that in any portfolio? Yes," Mr Simcoe told Wheels.

"Given that Australians - and particularly Australians who buy Holdens - are essentially enthusiasts and they enjoy driving agility and the character of rear-wheel-drive, then it makes sense."

Mr Simcoe also appears keen about the idea of calling it a Torana, saying it would be doing all the same things that the original Toranas did back in the 1970s.

At the same time the man who was the design chief at Holden when the VT and VE Commodores were developed is also cautious.

He told Wheels that the worst thing a carmaker could do was devalue a heritage badge by sticking it on an unworthy car.

"But judging by what we know so far, Code 130R doesn't fall into that category," the magazine said.

I think the new Mustangs, Camero and Challengers are probably the best retro re-release back from the dead.

I hope they dont kill the Torana name with that fugly thing above

[My poor XF]

[Motorbreath310]

I reckon something along the lines of a RWD Cruze would go down well powered by a turbo four and perhaps a V6. Would make a nice budget alternative to a 3 series or C-class (please, I did say "budget")

What I'm not fond of is the idea of calling it a Torana. That'd be like Ford releasing an exciting new mid-size RWD sedan and calling it a Cortina. Or if the new Focus was called a Laser :/

[RedHotGT]

A Badge Does Not Maketh the Car.

[vanman_75]

that thing is horrid , they could do it and get it right ...holden fans would die for it it ...but it wont happen . and seriously a cortina style falcon would be a car i would own ...if done properly , as i quite like the bmw approach .

[Motorbreath310]

I know there's more to a car than a badge but in most peoples eyes it's a big thing. Do you think the Cruze would sell so wel if they had called it a Camira? Haha

There is a gap in the market. Those who want a mid-sized RWD sedan can look only to BMW, Merc and Lexus with Toyota offering the cheaper Altezza (downspec is300 but with better running gear options) and it seems clear there is still demand for "sporty" RWD's and the Toyobaru coupes are a sign of this.

Edit: referring to Altezza in a past tense as I don't think they offer it alongside the current 'is' models.

[FreddyDUZ747]

Has a hint of RX8 in it,not to bad at all.

[EDManual]

With how well modern cars put their power down, a car would need 300kw to be fun like an old 202 torana!!

[Moby Vic]

And I thought the US automotive press was sloppy with speculation....

GM in the US is the absolute worst when it comes to reviving storied names for disappointing new cars: Impala, Malibu, Riviera, Le Mans, and even GTO.

The Holden-sourced GTO was a fine performer, but it was a Monaro with a Pontiac nose and GTO badges. It wasn't a GTO.

If that ridiculous Code 130R makes production and is called a Torana, that will be really sad. The Code 130R was designed to appeal to a generation of youth who don't like cars. It has absolutely nothing to do with what the Torana represented, and it has no connection to Australia.

[79FordEsky]

Have a read of this article http://autos.yahoo.com/photos/chevro...326149822.html

http://cdnlive.cardesignnews.com/det...eries-wannabe/

They both say that it looks like a bmw not motoring mag says it s a torana

[eb2fairmont]

It's the latest we're gonna do... Story that Holden has on rotation for the bogan Holden hordes to speak even more irrelevant **** in te pub on Friday night.

So let's pick the next big news story from Holden:

1. Caprice police sales up 200%!
2. Gemini to return as a sticker pack on Barina spark.
3. Holden launches a range of cosmetics for all the shazzas to look their best
4. VF commodore to feature VHF radio!
5. Holden sales up 700% on that of may 1949.

[Chilliman]

NOTHING TO SEE HERE

There was a huge hoop-la over the GTR-X concept back in early 70s....nothing ever came of it (and remember the Torana was actually in production then).

Fast forward the the 2000's, Holden's on a high with the VT dominating the sales charts, and a reborn Monaro having good initial sales, so enter the Torana TT36 concept. A heap of excitement generated, but....nothing ever came of it.

Now all this talk about reviving Holden exports to the US, a new model and finally this attempt to link Torana to the Code 130R....repeat; nothing will come of it

P.S. I love the Torana - its the only Holden I've ever seriously wanted to own (though I did own a HZ ute for a while).

[eb2fairmont]

Exactly.

[Kamshaaft]

Even the Gemini, 4 cylinder turb machine, was better than this.

Anybody who's going to buy that probaly WON'T buy it because they're the same people to whom the 'Torana' badge is a turn off.

Why the **** would anyeone put a hoon-ey bgoan-associated and motosport pedigree'd badge on that forignen looking piece of crap? No EFFING THANKS.

**** off all the Korean designs. Hate em. If the VF's go this way I'll NEVER ever consider one even as a work car.

[The G6ET Spot]

Originally Posted by loftie

A Badge Does Not Maketh the Car.

It shouldn't. But it will have a Holden badge on it and the sheep will flock.

And josh dowling will bleet on that it the best car to ever be put on the road.

[HULK EF]

yuck!

[pottery beige]

Originally Posted by Kamshaaft

Even the Gemini, 4 cylinder turb machine, was better than this.

Anybody who's going to buy that probaly WON'T buy it because they're the same people to whom the 'Torana' badge is a turn off.

Why the **** would anyeone put a hoon-ey bgoan-associated and motosport pedigree'd badge on that forignen looking piece of crap? No EFFING THANKS.

**** off all the Korean designs. Hate em. If the VF's go this way I'll NEVER ever consider one even as a work car.

you feel better now....

[Silver Ghia]

Small mention into todays Herald-Sun (not the above article that was on-line) headlined "Tor-iffic".

HOLDEN may be hatching a plan to bring back the legendary Torana.
The concept may lie in a local version of a US model , the Chevrolet Code 130R.

Very small mention but judging by the headline, it seems Carsguide, Paul Gover et al have wet themselves in excitement.

[Fiesta_Man69]

Will never make production.

Holden had an opportunity to downsize the Commodore and effectively create a "new" Torana with the VE. That horse bolted 5 yrs ago. The Commodore is being kept alive by fleet sales: private buyers want smaller cars - the 3 or Cruze - not Falcons or Commodores.

If Holden had of created a smaller rear driver 5 yrs ago they would be sitting pretty. But not now, not in this economic climate it simply can't and won't happen.

Sorry but Wheels gets it wrong again..

[xtremerus]

Concept car that will never be built.

[TC200six]

Torana making a comeback? Feels like 2004 all over again.

[blackf6]

Let them make it. In my opinion it looks like crap. I wouldn't buy it.

[Nikked]

Im not sure it fits with GM-H plans...


That is, the Epsilon platform development. The latest Gov-co funding is speculated too help with local applications of the Super Epsilon variant, rumored to underpin the post-VF commodore (and used on the Impala)

But then again...its on the Alpha platform...

And the Alpha platform has the possibility to underpin both compact and Mid sized cars...

Could the commodore be moving to the smaller Alpha platform...and have a smaller variant built here?


Exiting times for Australia's car industry indeed, IF Holden can pull it off, it could mean 3 different Models + variants being made here. And that's beneficial when market share is not down to volume sellers, but variety.

[Buntz]

Originally Posted by Nikked

Im not sure it fits with GM-H plans...


That is, the Epsilon platform development. The latest Gov-co funding is speculated too help with local applications of the Super Epsilon variant, rumored to underpin the post-VF commodore (and used on the Impala)

But then again...its on the Alpha platform...

And the Alpha platform has the possibility to underpin both compact and Mid sized cars...

Could the commodore be moving to the smaller Alpha platform...and have a smaller variant built here?


Exiting times for Australia's car industry indeed, IF Holden can pull it off, it could mean 3 different Models + variants being made here. And that's beneficial when market share is not down to volume sellers, but variety.

There is also talk of stretching Alpha to the large sizers. http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/17/c...-next-gen-cts/


To attribute something to this article. It's a herald sun reworking of a wheels article (itself full of ****)... with quotes from GM officials of maybes and perhaps'. Just more Holden that makes me aggro.

[jpd80]

Think Holden Variants of Alpha based Cadillacs ATS and next gen CTS.

In a strange way, the Torana TT36 predates Alpha but is still a much better package than ATS....

I think Holden could live with Cruze and a large mid sized Torana and an imported Impala

[Buntz]

Originally Posted by jpd80

Think Holden Variants of Alpha based Cadillacs ATS and next gen CTS.

In a strange way, the Torana TT36 predates Alpha but is still a much better package than ATS....

I think Holden could live with Cruze and a large mid sized Torana and an imported Impala

Was it reported as two new cars Holden will be building. Or two cars including Cruze?

[Pub247]

TT36 ***** all overs this and its like 10 year old design

[Nikked]

TT36 was just a VE styling study...but based on prototype Alpha architecture.

[aussie muscle]

Originally Posted by loftie

A Badge Does Not Maketh the Car.

yeah, it'll just end up like a rwd cruze, so why bother?

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by Nikked

TT36 was just a VE styling study...but based on prototype Alpha architecture.

A styling study that many people wished Holden had followed through with
and I bet Holden wished they had in the armory now instead of Cruze.