It is known that Opel is currently working on a small car that, in the intentions of the carmaker, will be positioned in its current range right below the Corsa. The project has been known until now as ‘Junior‘, but apparently the new car will adopt the ‘Allegra‘ name by the time of its official unveiling, which is expected to happen in some motor show toward the end of the year in view of its commercial launch in early 2013.

This time a mule of the next Allegra has been spotted during some cold weather testing. The model is expected to measure around 3.70 meters in length and should become available with a 3-door body-type only. At the moment it is still unclear whether the car will rival against the likes of the new Volkswagen Up! in the super mini-car segment or will go for a more upmarket target, battling against such competitors as the Mini squad and Fiat 500. Insiders report that Opel is also developing a whole new family of engines for the Allegra/Junior, that we are likely to see transplanted in the next generation of the Opel Corsa.

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Here are the first spy shots of the upcoming Opel Junior, a brand new model that the German manufacturer is planning to sell in its 3 door 3.70 meters long version only. Many rumors have anticipated the arrival of this car: initially it was believed to be Opel’s new entry level model, slotting right underneath the Corsa, but now it is thought to be a little premium car in the same league as other ‘trendy’ products such as Mini and Citroen DS3.

The car is expected to enter the market in 2013 with a renewed range of engines, although official sources have denied the development of an electric version of this model because of budget reasons. Besides, Opel is also planning to produce the more economical 2-seat city car currently known as RAK Concept. Rumor has it that ‘Junior’ might not even be the definitive name of the model, some say it will eventually be dropped in favour of ‘Allegra’.

View the full Opel Junior Spy Shots gallery

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Recent reports on the loss-making Opel arm of General Motors have taken an interesting turn in this intriguing news from Auto Motor und Sport, via Motortrend. In speaking to Opel manager Klaus Franz, he suggested that the new Opel Allegra or Junior citycar model could make it to the US as an Opel-branded model, bringing the marque back to the North American market after it was last seen there about 40 years ago.

Leaving aside why they would embark on this project with the Allegra and not with the Insignia, for example, General Motors has had nothing to say about the words from Franz, and has left the matter to Opel CEO Dan Akerson. We doubt a move like this would happen, though, as already the Opel citycar future is undecided and the Corsa itself has never previously been mentioned with the US car market in mind.

In the meantime, General Motors will be releasing its Chevrolet Sonic compact vehicle on home turf next year and its fortunes will be closely watched in an increasingly competitive small car segment in the US. Rumours of a possible Opel sale have emerged again recently, and the idea of Opel returning to the US market is probably wishful thinking.

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Opel is planning a new B segment vehicle to be called the Opel Mokka according to internet rumours. The model is set to compete with the Citroen DS3 and the latest reports regard the name. We’re not quite sold on what sounds like a type of coffee for a car (apart from the spelling) but a DS3 competitor from Opel makes a lot of sense.

The Mokka name has already been filed to be trademarked and the car would be based on a shortened Opel Corsa platform, making this new B segment industrially viable for the company. The small Opel should follow the DS3 trail by providing a distinctive design.

The Opel Mokka (and not Allegra as it is currently known internally) should be compact and original, with a daring interior. It should be no longer than 380 cm and could go on sale as early as next year. An electric Opel would be developed in the future, but it would play a very minor role in company sales.

Source | Automobile Magazine

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Here is a rendering of the possible Opel “Allegra”, future Opel city car model. In a crowded and competitive sector, it would compete with the Ford Ka, Volkswagen Up!, Fiat 500, Renault Twingo, and company. The car would appear directly below the Agila in the Opel product range, and would take on the role of entry-level Opel, with a price as low as 6,000 euros.

The Opel Allegra would be slightly longer than three metres, and would be built on a smaller version of the Agila or Corsa platform. Another hypothesis is that it could even be built by the General Motors Korea research and development division (possibly under the Chevrolet brand in the Asian market).

However, future Opel-GM collaboration would not occur if the Opel-Magna deal comes off, although GM may still seek influence for its Chevrolet models. The Opel Allegra city car could see a 2012-2013 debut.

Source | Caradisiac

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