Sitting on 20-inch alloy wheels, the car also has the modular glass roof inspired by the Panorama roof first seen on the New Zafira.
Its looks convey more of an ‘on road’ than ‘rough terrain’ image, but nonetheless it is a car that has been created to cope with unconventional conditions. Short front and rear overhangs and a lofty ride height suggest that this is a car capable of coping with the rough, while still looking smooth.
Like the Insignia concept car previewed at the 2003 Frankfurt Show, the Antara uses a ‘pantograph’ style hatchback door, which is counterbalanced rather than based on space-consuming hydraulics.
Antara GTC is fully operational and is powered by the latest development of GM’s 1.9-litre CDTi turbodiesel unit beneath its bonnet, developing 212hp and 400Nm of torque with the help of two turbochargers. The engine is coupled to a six-speed automatic transmission, powering all four wheels. Trish Whelan and Brian Byrne at Frankfurt.
