Vauxhall Antara Design
Published: 25th August 2007
Vauxhall Antara
The new Antara’s design origin is clearly linked to the Antara GTC (Gran Turismo Crossover) concept car, which was the star of the 2005 Frankfurt Motor Show. The design language of this off-road coupé concept car is echoed in the production version.
At first glance, the Antara’s distinctive design character has bold contrasts. While the lower section clearly displays the new SUV’s robust nature, the body’s striking lines have the look of a sporty, muscular car. It’s certainly a far cry from the boxy, utilitarian 4x4 which has been previously seen in the class.
The designers visualised the Antara as a versatile vehicle that is both dynamic and comfortable for long journeys. Carefully crafted details such as the crease on the bonnet and the grille confidently emphasise the car’s high quality and brand identity.
With its compact dimensions (length x width x height: 4575 x 1850 x 1704 millimeters), the crossover takes up little more space than a mid-size passenger car such as an Astra estate (4515x1753x1496), making parking in tight spaces easy.
The sporty, sloping roofline also echoes the Antara GTC concept car’s dynamic design, which earned it the title “Concept of the Year” in 2005 from the Autocar magazine. With a sporty downward swing, the silhouette tapers into sleek side air vents. These exciting side accents flow into lines traced by the roof railings and side windows.
This look continues to the Antara’s rear. A striking chrome crossbar not only enhances the stylish look, it also emphasises the vehicle’s width and stability. This is underlined by the large curved rear window, which boasts frameless fitted glass that extends to the D-pillar – a design feature that also improves rear visibility and lets plenty of light into the interior. Finally, large three-dimensional rear lights set at an angle make the Antara unmistakable from the rear. Sculpted into the shoulder line, they create a smooth transition into the Antara’s profile.
Interior: Versatile and comfortable
- Luxury look and feel, high levels of equipment
- Versatile storage options and FlexOrganiser for luggage compartment
- Standard CD-Radio with seven speakers
Step inside a Vauxhall Antara and it will seem like a pleasant change from some of the cheap-looking and cramped interiors which are offered by some other cars in the small 4x4 sector.
The interior brings new levels of style and quality to the class. Contoured seats reflect the Antara's dynamic character while all instruments and operating controls are ergonomically placed and clearly laid out.
Eye-catching interior features include three large round air vents on the centre console and a distinctively shaped ‘grab-handle’ handbrake.
And it’s not just the quality feel and stylish appearance which will please buyers. Numerous compartments, as well as many clever and practical features make the car a pleasure to live with everyday.
There’s a real sense of spaciousness created by the elevated seating position and large glazed surfaces too, and the Antara doesn’t just seem spacious: measurements confirm that passengers enjoy plenty of space. With 933 millimetres of rear legroom, for example, the Antara is at the top of its segment.
With the luggage compartment cover in place the Antara offers 370 litres of boot space. Cargo capacity increases to 865 litres with the rear bench seat folded down and up to 1420 litres when loaded to the roof. The rear seat back can be split 60:40 and folded down.
A storage box under the load floor ensures practical organization of the luggage compartment, as does the optional FlexOrganiser system, which is already familiar from the Astra and Vectra estate models. Nets, dividing walls, rods and hooks can be snapped into two rails on each of the side walls of the Antara's luggage compartment, allowing the boot to be separated into different sections to protect the cargo from shifting or being damaged during the journey.
However, the designers did not only focus on the boot when they considered the newcomer’s storage. The Antara features numerous compartments and boxes throughout its interior, including a drawer under the passenger seat, sunglasses holder in the roof liner, nets on the front seat backs, a car park ticket holder to the right of the steering wheel, a net on the centre console, compartments in the front and rear central arm rests, as well as storage boxes around the rear wheel arches in the boot.
The integrated rear carrier Flex-Fix boasts the unbeatable practicality that has become a Vauxhall trademark and is especially important in this segment. Flex-Fix has the potential to set the new benchmark in flexible exterior transportation, just as the Zafira’s “Flex7” does for interior seating systems. In typical Vauxhall style, its full on-board functionality eliminates the need for cumbersome assembly, dismantling or storage of parts. Flex-Fix is also featured in the new Corsa and is available as an option for the Antara. It stows away almost invisibly under the rear bumper and can easily be pulled out to carry up to two bicycles.
For on-board entertainment, the Antara features a standard MP3-compatible stereo CD Radio, seven speakers, remote controls on the steering wheel and a roof antenna to provide excellent radio reception. The DVD 100 navigation system, which is standard on the Antara SE, features a large 7.5-inch colour info display, as well as mobile phone Bluetooth connection.
Vauxhall Antara
Our Vauxhall Antara Guide lists the full specification of the current UK Antara range, including car prices, fuel consumption, dimensions and other vital data.
Price Range: £21,130 - £26,355
Body Style:
Fuel:
Models in the range: 3
We have road tested the Vauxhall Antara, to read our in-depth car reviews:
Vauxhall Antara Review - Mar 2008
Vauxhall Antara Review - Nov 2007
Our Car Buyer’s Guide covers all of the UK’s major new cars and includes CO2 ratings and car insurance groups. Data updated on the 21st Sep 2008
