Vauxhall Calibra could return

The Vauxhall Calibra could be making a come back, Autocar can exclusively reveal.

GM insiders reveal that a business case is being considered for launching a large Vauxhall coupe based on the recently revealed Insignia.

It’s expected to be a sporty two-door model, whose design would be based on the Insignia’s original GTC concept car, which was revealed at the Geneva motor show in March 2007.

“We’re not ruling it out,” said our Vauxhall source, “we know that there are plenty more possibilities for the Insignia (beyond the hatch and saloon).”

If a new Calibra gets the production green light, it wouldn’t be ready until at least 2011. The next Insignia variant will be the estate, which will make its debut at the Paris motor show and arrive in showrooms by spring 2009. According to GM design boss Mark Adams it will be sleeker and more rakish than the Vectra wagon it replaces, but with similar load space.

Vauxhall’s keen to get the Insignia estate, saloon and hatchback variants established in the market before giving further consideration to a Calibra successor.

But another GM insider spoke of strong support within the company for a new Calibra, as it would confirm that GM is taking alluring design more seriously. “We want to be seen as design leaders, and niche models such as coupes are a good way of doing it,” said our well-placed source.

Source: http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArticle/Vauxhall-Concepts/234114/