Vauxhall Antara
Published: 25th August 2007
Vauxhall Antara
The new Antara, which is manufactured by General Motors Korea, benefits from the strategy of maintaining highly developed, globally consistent standards. The “GM Global Manufacturing System” (GM GMS), implemented throughout the world, is based on five key concepts: "zero defects policy", standardisation, continuous improvement, short cycle times and workforce involvement.
New models undergo demanding durability testing long before series production begins. During the new SUV’s development phase, for example, prototypes and pre-production models covered over three million test miles on testing grounds and tracks worldwide. The test centres in Pferdsfeld, Germany and Millbrook in Bedfordshire played a central role in the Antara’s chassis tuning and durability testing.
In addition to these tests, it is often a combination of material and workmanship details that create a Vauxhall model’s high-quality look, because the car should also appeal to the driver’s – and passengers’ – senses. The new Antara’s good looks are eye-catching from any perspective.
The Antara also sounds good, for example when the doors close with a satisfying click. And it feels good, because the materials are pleasing to the touch and all switch and button movements are precise and well-defined.
A team of scent experts even successfully developed the new Antara’s olfactory qualities. All interior components were analysed and optimised at a laboratory in Rüsselsheim, Germany, resulting in a pleasant scent without odours from plastic parts. The scent experts were recently able to confirm their success when the very first Antaras were delivered.
Plenty of Vauxhall know-how also went into the Antara’s repair-friendly design. Drivers benefit from this in several ways: through low servicing costs, short repair times and favourable insurance premiums.
Construction details that help minimise costs for minor front and rear damage include easily-replaceable bolted subframe radiator supports, bumper fascias that can be changed quickly, and a special repair feature for headlamp mounting brackets. If a headlamp’s plastic holder tears during a minor collision, the headlamp does not necessarily need to be replaced. For such cases, Vauxhall offers a special repair set with a new holder for the Antara, as it does for other models.
Relatively expensive engine components, such as the radiator and the air conditioning condenser, are well protected behind impact force limiters. The bumpers also have large surfaces, and energy absorption is helped by crash boxes bolted behind them. Should an accident occur, a repair method specially developed for the Antara also keeps costs down and enables partial replacement of the vehicle floor if necessary.
In addition, Vauxhall employs preventative measures in other areas, such as full galvanization of all body sections prone to corrosion. And the new Antara will seldom see the inside of a workshop, thanks to inspection intervals of 20,000 miles or one year, as well as many completely maintenance-free components. These include the diesel particulate filter in the diesel models and hydraulic valve lifters in the 2.4-litre petrol engine.
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
