European review of the Opel/Vauxhall Antara...

[Emanresu2]

Its a pretty short review of a pre-production model, but this is the first actual review I have seen on the upcoming VUE.

http://www.autocar.co.uk/FirstDrive_Summary.asp?RT_ID=221728

[sspeer]

I love the interior...

can we get a slightly more powerful turbo diesel with a 5 or 6 speed please :D

[SLAPSHOT]

First of all, kudos on the link, finally a real review from someone who's driven the vehicle (although not a VUE, but close), not a bunch of "spy pics" and speculations :x What is Opel's reputation in Europe? My only time spent in Europe was when stopping for gas on my way to the damn desert.

[BobbyP]

Opel is considered by most Europeans as a mid level quality manufacturer. Not as good as BMW or Mercedes. Similar to the way most Americans feel about US manufactured cars.

Notice the key words/phrases in the review "unremarkable", "doesn’t have the nimbleness of a Toyota RAV4 or BMW X3". I believe that probably sums up the replacement VUE. This along with possible spotty manufacturing in Mexico doesn't bode well.

[SLAPSHOT]

Opel is considered by most Europeans as a mid level quality manufacturer. Not as good as BMW or Mercedes. Similar to the way most Americans feel about US manufactured cars.

Notice the key words/phrases in the review "unremarkable", "doesn’t have the nimbleness of a Toyota RAV4 or BMW X3". I believe that probably sums up the replacement VUE. This along with possible spotty manufacturing in Mexico doesn't bode well.

I also noted these phrases:

"The all-new replacement for the Frontera 4x4, which in its day was the biggest-selling car in its sector across Europe."

"Should I buy one?
Why not? The Antara looks good inside and out, goes well enough and delivers a solid car-like drive. Equipment levels are also good and it is reasonably priced."

Let's keep our fingers crossed that our Saturn "Version" is built in U.S. :yes:

[sspeer]

Hard to believe that they don't know where the VUE 2.0 is going to be built since it's about a year away from the dealers..

I suppose if it's 'identical' to the Antara, they could be built at the same plant at least initially

[Emanresu2]

I don't know anything about where it will be built, but I do know that the Antara is basically a shortened version of the already on sale Chevrolet Captiva. Bear in mind that in Europe, all Chevrolets are rebadged Daewoos. So the Captiva was styled in Europe, engineered and built in Korea, and passes itself off as being from American brand with a French name.

Dont ask me why.

Anyways, the Captiva is a slightly longer version that has a 3rd row and a cheapened interior. I would not put it past GM to give the VUE the captiva interior instead of the Antara's. The Captiva has not faired particularly well in most reviews due to poor engines and low perceived build quality and refinement.

[bibliotech]

UH, there's something wrong with the price.:sneeze:
If you convert pounds to US dollars, you're at 40,000 (give or take a few)

[cdp326]

Hard to believe that they don't know where the VUE 2.0 is going to be built since it's about a year away from the dealers..

I suppose if it's 'identical' to the Antara, they could be built at the same plant at least initially
We're likely going to get the 2.4L Ecotec I4 and 3.6L Alloytec/High Feature V6 for engines.

I don't know anything about where it will be built, but I do know that the Antara is basically a shortened version of the already on sale Chevrolet Captiva. Bear in mind that in Europe, all Chevrolets are rebadged Daewoos. So the Captiva was styled in Europe, engineered and built in Korea, and passes itself off as being from American brand with a French name.

Dont ask me why.

Anyways, the Captiva is a slightly longer version that has a 3rd row and a cheapened interior. I would not put it past GM to give the VUE the captiva interior instead of the Antara's. The Captiva has not faired particularly well in most reviews due to poor engines and low perceived build quality and refinement.
Actually, I was thinking the exact same thing--that we would likely get the Captiva's interior in the Antara's body, given that it had things like the GM Black Tie radio, the steering wheel shared with many other GM products (like the Outlook), and what appeared to be HVAC controls seen in other US GM cars, so it was basically already closer to US-style. However, in the recent spy shots, it showed the Antara's interior with a GM Black Tie radio, and generally looked like it was designed for the US. So, it looks like we may be getting the Antara interior. :dizzy:

UH, there's something wrong with the price.:sneeze:
If you convert pounds to US dollars, you're at 40,000 (give or take a few)
There are also much higher taxes on cars in Europe than in the US. You'll also find that some cars like a simple Ford Focus (have to compare models from a few years ago to make them similar) that may cost between $15-20k in the US will cost well over $20k in European currencies.
Think about it...would they really try to sell a $40k VUE here? :dizzy:

[kodak_jack]

Looks like a Vibe but with almost no cargo capacity behind the rear seats. Our Vue may be squared off, but that's so you can put something back there besides a pair of sneakers. Mexico was mentioned and the HHR, made there, has many electrical problems related to something as simple as seating the fuses and relays properly when built. Putting seat mounting screws through wiring harnesses doesn't help either.:mad:

[blargman]

http://fastlane.gmblogs.com/archives/2005/09/new_look_for_op_1.html

some other picsof Opel/Vauxhall Antara

and more
http://www.autoblog.com/2005/09/13/opel-antara-gtc-concept/

not sure if I like the diminished size of the cargo area.

btw Opel, Vauxhall, Saab and Advanced Design , all pretty much the same design team anymore ;)

hrmm, I prefer the PreVue . oh wait its the same car :s haha *duh* i'm stupid
http://www.gm.com/company/gm_exp_live/events/newyork_2006/index_flash.html

hrmm this article looks scary. GIven the crap i've just heard about GM's first VTI. I wouldn't dare touch an engine that "turns off" half its cylinders. :D

http://fastlane.gmblogs.com/archives/2006/06/drive_time_1.html

[blargman]

i'm a bit confused between the 2 different specs for the engine. the gmblogs link shows a 215hp turbodiesel for the antara. Course its a 2dr though and this review was of a 5dr hatchback :s

Same name though,

ack anyone see this?
http://fastlane.gmblogs.com/archives/cars_trucks/

Aveo Sedan being announced today :|

haha, as much as i am pissed at saturn for selling me a junk transmission on my Vue, I'd never buy a chinese assembled aveo ! :|

Chevy might sell some of these cause they are so cheap......

[Emanresu2]

Here's another antara review:
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/motoringpreviews/202348/vauxhall_antara_20_cdti_se.html

As for the price being $40,000 over there, that is correct. The UK is an extremely expensive auto market. Although the US has very limited exports to the UK, you will find that for example a Cadillac sold in the UK may actually cost more pounds there than dollars here, despite the pound worth almost twice as much as the dollar. This really has important implications when you look at Opel/Vauxhall cars coming over here, cars like a Astra or Ford Focus is more expensive to a Brit than a Toyota avalon is to an American. That is why you will generally see cars get "dumbed down" when they come over here. Give people a choice between the new European Focus for $30k versus the old one for $15k, and which do you think they will buy?

[Darcane]

hrmm this article looks scary. GIven the crap i've just heard about GM's first VTI. I wouldn't dare touch an engine that "turns off" half its cylinders. :D

http://fastlane.gmblogs.com/archives/2006/06/drive_time_1.html

Well, new technology is always a little suspect at first. Your VTI tranny is a prime example of that... It takes some time to work things out and get it right

However, I wouldn't worry about the new engines that deactivate cylinders. When it first came out, it was very problematic... back in 1981! GM has refined Deplacement on Demand a bit since then and it seems to be pretty reliable now. Now called Active Fuel Management, it's been in GM trucks for a couple years now and I haven't heard of many issues with it. Chrysler and Honda both have similar cylinder deactivation on some of their engines.

Mike

[Big Nickel]

From the rear and the side, the Antara looks like a Hyundai Tucson. Looks good from the front though. Would be nice if we actually could have the diesel version here.

Here's an article from CAR on the somewhat related Chev Captiva... from the pics, size-wise it seems more in line with the size/abilities of the Vue.

http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/first_drive.php?sid=75&page=1


Did I read somewhere on here that the next gen. Vue is supposed to be smaller than the current - so that the Outlook can cover the needs of people looking for a larger vehicle?