As popular as the Corsa is, it doesn’t appeal to those who would opt for a boutique hatch. And that is exactly the reasoning behind the latest project by Opel sister company, Vauxhall, the Junior. This new city car will apparently do battle from as early as 2013 against the likes of Audi’s A1, Fiat’s 500 and the Mini.
Despite being shelved in favour of the global product picture, the Junior was recently hauled out of the pipeline and is in its final development phase. Of course, it would have to set a stylistic revolution in the General Motors product line-up because its planned rivals are the prey of the fashion-conscious and trendy.
Designed by the Russelsheim-based Vauxhall/Opel studio, the three-door Junior will be just 3 700 mm long, with large, round headlamps and will feature a roofline that mimics that of the A1 – and should be large enough to comfortably seat four.
In Europe, the Junior will be available with economical and low-emission three cylinder engines of both petrol and diesel variety. An all-electric model is also planned for introduction in 2015.
The Junior will sport another name when we eventually see it in production form, however, as GM used this name in the 80s. The new name will be announced at next month’s Frankfurt Motor Show.
