New Holden SUV Arriving in 2006
Motoring Channel Staff - 17/11/2005
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Holden S3X
Holden's Australian designers had plenty of
input into the design of the S3X, and it shows
New Territory
for Holden
Ever since the Ford Territory hit Australian
show room floors it has dominated the SUV segment,
and this is something that Holden has been agonising
over.
As such, the S3X is the go-to vehicle that will,
Holden hopes, stem the flow of cash from SUV sales
to Blue Oval coffers. The S3X holds plenty of
promise, and its strong visual appearance may
go a long way to dividing buyers between Ford
and Holden SUVs.
Pricing will be a big issue for the S3X, but
Holden is big enough and brave enough to aggressively
tackle the Territory in the pricing stakes. Another
area of interest for many buyers will the choice
of engines; if Holden can offer a range of engines,
from diesels to various sized petrol motors it
will surely hurt the Territory, whose sole engine
choice is the same 4.0-litre 6-cylinder item from
the Falcon.
The concept car that has been shown at various
motor shows featured a hybrid engine, which is
certainly food for thought as the price of petrol
remains high.
- Feann Torr, Editor
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Holden's new S3X is aimed at taking on the Ford
Territory at its own game, and in 2006 we'll have
yet another Ford vs GM battle of great importance
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Coming to Australia in 2006 is the S3X from Holden, a modern-looking
SUV that can seat seven and will take on Ford's popular Territory.
The S3X was first seen in late 2004 at the Paris motor show
badged as a Chevrolet, and was also shown at the Australian
Motor Show in Sydney in October 2005 as a preview to what
Australian customers could expect.
The S3X pictured here is a concept car, but Holden assures
us that the production vehicle will closely resemble the S3X
concept, which has already gathered major design accolades
since its world debut in late '04.
Like the Territory, the S3X will feature a rear window that
can be opened separately to access the luggage compartment
without opening the tailgate, and it will also employ an AWD
transmission like most SUVs today.
Holden explains that the car has an Australian influence
with two former Holden designers, Michael Simcoe and Max Wolff,
part of the design team which ensured the car would attract
global attention.
GM Holden Chairman and Managing Director, Denny Mooney,
said S3X signalled a new era for Holden's market footprint
in Australia and its most purposeful step into the SUV arena.
Mr. Mooney said the SUV would immediately challenge established
performers (Territory?) through its attention-getting design
and carrying flexibility.
"The S3X production version will fill Holden's most
obvious portfolio gap in a truly convincing way. It will have
great packaging flexibility, up-to-the-minute design and extremely
competitive levels of equipment," stated Mr. Mooney.
"It will deliver three rows of seating to accommodate
seven in comfort and will provide sporty suspension allowing
the type of driveability which people expect from Holden.
"S3X is a sign of things to come for Holden SUVs and
gives strong hints on how the final production car will look,"
said Mr. Mooney.
Holden has revealed that it has been involved in the vehicle's
design and engineering development with GM Daewoo Auto &
Technology, with the production version representing the first
vehicle to fully benefit from General Motors' global resources
since GM's major investment in GMDAT in 2002.
Michael Simcoe, formerly Holden's Design Director and the
man behind the modern-day Monaro, was head of Asia-Pacific
Design when the car was being developed, and we can expect
to see more of his work in future models being developed at
GM Daewoo Auto & Technology. Max Wolff, a former Holden
Senior Designer, is now Deputy Director Advanced Design at
GMDAT.
Holden says that engineers from its Australian operation
have also worked with GMDAT on various aspects of the production
version of the S3X, which is likely to increase its appeal
for Australian buyers.
"The production version of this car will represent a
true collaboration between various parts of General Motors
operations in the Asia-Pacific region. Being involved at such
an early stage brings great rewards in terms of how the car
looks and just as importantly, how it performs," Holden's
MD, Denny Mooney said.
Holden says the global debut of the production version will
be in 2006. Holden is yet to announce Australian launch timing
or local specifications and features.
S3X highlights:
The S3X concept car has been warmly received since its global
debut as the Chevrolet S3X at one of the world’s major
motor shows, the Paris Mondial de l’Automobile, in September
2004.
The eye is immediately drawn to the car’s purposeful
stance and powerfully flared wheel arches filled by 20-inch
nine-spoke wheels. Other exterior highlights include metal
inserts in the front and rear bumpers and horizontal vents
in the wings.
The jewel-like front headlamps are designed to catch and divert
light through cylindrical prisms.
The S3X has a wheelbase of about 2.7 metres, placing it roughly
equal to several of the country's top-selling SUV offerings.
Its exterior dimensions are 4639mm in length, 1848mm in width
and 1722mm in height.
Sitting inside the car, the light and roomy atmosphere created
by the large, louvre-style glass roof becomes immediately
apparent.
The design of the interior is dominated by a combination of
real wood and metal. The on-board infotainment system includes
a DVD-based navigation system linked to an 18-centimetre monitor.
The concept car features environmentally friendly hybrid technology,
offering a glimpse into General Motors’ potential future
propulsion systems.
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