The European Union’s proposed fines for carmakers who break its tough CO2 limits have already killed off a new Calibra, GM’s car guru Bob Lutz told CAR Online.
General Motors is working on a new, small rear-wheel drive platform. It will spawn a new baby Cadillac which will slot in below the CTS saloon and be sized between BMW’s 1-series and 3-series.
Calibra Mk2? No thanks
Speaking at the Detroit Motor Show, Lutz told us it was also offered to GM Europe to create a new, affordable, Vauxhall and Opel-badged rear-drive coupe and convertible, a successor to the hugely popular Calibra of the nineties. ‘But GM Europe showed little interest because it goes the wrong way towards meeting the new CO2 regulations,’ Lutz said. ‘We said, “wouldn’t it be neat to do a new Calibra?” And they said, “but what would it do for our average emissions?” Everyone is totally consumed by this already.’
CO2: cleaning up, but restricting choice
Lutz also suggested that the regulations may force GM to limit sales of its more powerful cars in Europe. ‘We’re only going to be able to do a certain number of vehicles like the Corvette, and we may have to raise prices to keep demand under control.’ And he also hinted strongly that BMW and Mercedes may be considering abandoning rear-wheel drive on more of their models in order to improve efficiency.
GM Europe insiders confirmed that a new, halo-model coupe was no longer under consideration but that it would import the baby Cadillac if it’s given the green light. It also suggested that its latest calculations show the new EU limits will add an average of £2000 to the cost of a new car.