Events
Gallery 1
DRINK in these, the first official images of what could be the next Holden Monaro. The 2017 Buick Avista concept is a two-plus-two rear-drive coupe officially revealed ahead of this week’s 2016 Detroit Motor Show.
In fact, all signs point to the Avista as Holden’s next hero, after General Motors’ executive vice-president, Stefan Jacoby, ruled out V8 power for a low-priced performance Holden once production of the current VF Series II Commodore ends in 2017.
The 298kW twin-turbo 3.0-litre V6 under the bonnet of the Avista – 6kW shy of the current Holden Commodore SS – could be exactly what Jacoby was talking about when he added that Australian customers seeking an affordable performance car “will get exactly what they want, based on a different technology”.
It’s mated to an eight-speed ZF automatic, and includes cylinder de-activation (Active Fuel Management in GM-speak) as well as idle-stop technology.
According to Holden, GM Australia had no role to play in the development of the car. A spokesman told Wheels that while the concept car was “stunning”, because it was not yet confirmed for production the Australian arm of GM could not comment any further on how it would fit into the carmaker’s vision once local manufacfturing ends late next year.
The Buick Avista will be on display at the 2016 Detroit motor show, which starts tomorrow.
