For a concept, it's not the most adventurous design to hit the show floor in Frankfurt, but for a production forerunner, it is quite
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| For a concept, the Antera isn't the most adventurous design to hit the show floor in Frankfurt, but for a production forerunner, it is quite the shocker. (Photo: General Motors of Europe) |
the shocker. It's about as abrupt a reversal of design direction as is conceivable: from the boxy, upright, utilitarian polymer-paneled VUE to the chiseled, low-slung, muscular, European-styled Antara GTC.
About face! One thing that is becoming familiar is the longstanding Opel grille with its wide chrome bar and proudly displayed logo front and centre, the lightning bolt in a circle soon to be replaced by the sinuous cursive "S" as on the Sky roadster and Aura midsize sedan concept.
It would
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| It would be a stretch to believe the new concept's striking LED headlamps would make it into production. (Photo: General Motors of Europe) |
be a stretch to believe the new concept's striking LED headlamps would make it into production, but their shape as they wrap into the fenders could see the light of day with regular bulbs replacing some of the high-tech gadgetry. Brake vents behind the wheel wells are framed in chrome as are a number of accents, lending a touch of class to this muscle-bound SUV. Its coupe-UV styling seems largely derived from the Infiniti FX, although it doesn't seem to fill quite the same footprint (it's about a foot shorter), but the early arrival of this concept may steal any thunder from a little brother to the FX (a CX is rumoured to be in the works).
