Frontera Gets A Baby Brother

Is Vauxhall's Frontera getting a baby brother? It seems so, as we've uncovered its pint-sized sibling, the T2X.

Auto Express Car Reviews

By Matt Joy

04th May 2005

Set to take on small SUVs such as the Toyota RAV4 and Land Rover Freelander, it's one of two new 4x4s from parent firm General Motors. The car was unveiled at the Seoul Motor Show in South Korea last week.

Although it carried Chevrolet badges for its Far East launch, the off-roader will be designed to sell in several markets wearing different names - including the Vauxhall griffin here in the UK. GM executive Hardy Spranger explained: "The T2X is a very attractive concept that picks up the styling cues first seen on the Chevrolet S3X."

The car features strong Vauxhall hints already; the grille has a distinctive V-shape to it, as seen on the current Astra, while the vents in the wheelarches and slim headlamps are virtually identical to the Insignia luxury saloon concept. If the 4x4 earns a favourable public response, a production version is likely to appear early in 2006, with three and five-door versions on offer to cater for a wide range of buyers.

Meanwhile, Cadillac is preparing its own small SUV, which will line up alongside the full-size SRX. The as-yet-unnamed model is based on the same platform as the S3X, and is set to be launched in right-hand-drive form with diesel engines in the UK. John Howell, Cadillac's product director, told us: "A compact SUV to rival the best European opposition is on our agenda, and it will be something special."

Another senior company source said: "This vehicle will show we are determined to be taken seriously outside of the US, and it will arrive sooner rather than later."