Holden Torana A9X 2028 : In the shadow of Mount Panorama, where the ghosts of Australian motorsport still whisper through the eucalypts, a new rumour has set the automotive world ablaze. Could General Motors be plotting the unthinkable—a resurrection of the iconic Holden Torana nameplate to take on BMW’s increasingly dominant M2? For a nation still mourning the loss of its homegrown automotive industry, this speculation ignites a flicker of hope that refuses to die, despite the rational mind knowing better.
The Return of an Icon: Separating Wishful Thinking from Reality
Let’s be honest with ourselves. The Holden badge is gone, consigned to history by corporate decisions made half a world away. Yet here we are, nearly eight years after the last Commodore rolled off the Elizabeth production line, still dreaming of what could be. It’s like continuing to leave the porch light on for a loved one we know isn’t coming home.
But what if—just what if—there’s more to these whispers than mere fantasy?
“GM has been watching the Australian performance market with interest,” confides a source who claims to have connections within General Motors’ design department but insisted on anonymity. “The success of the Ford Mustang here hasn’t gone unnoticed, and they’re acutely aware of the emotional equity still tied to the Holden name.”
Is this just another case of automotive vapourware, or could there be substance behind the speculation? To understand the possibility, we need to look at the current performance landscape and GM’s global strategy.
The M2-Sized Gap in GM’s Global Portfolio
The BMW M2 has carved out a commanding position in the compact performance coupe segment. With its rear-wheel-drive platform, straight-six powerplant, and increasingly rare manual transmission option, it embodies everything enthusiasts crave in a driver’s car.
Curiously, this is precisely the segment where General Motors currently has no global offering. The Camaro has ended production, the Corvette has moved upmarket, and nothing in GM’s current lineup directly targets this enthusiast-focused, premium-but-not-exotic price point.
Former Holden design chief Richard Ferlazzo, who now works as an independent automotive consultant, sees the logic in such a move. “There’s clearly a business case for a vehicle in this segment. The emotional connection to the Torana name would give GM an authentic story to tell in a market where authenticity is currency.”
Ferlazzo stops short of confirming any insider knowledge but adds: “The A9X holds a special place in Australian motoring history. If—and it’s a big if—GM were to bring back a Holden nameplate, the Torana would be a logical choice, particularly for a focused performance vehicle rather than attempting another full range.”
What a Modern Torana Could—and Should—Be
If a reimagined Torana were to materialise, what form would it take? Forget notions of retro design—that ship has sailed. Today’s performance cars must balance heritage with forward-thinking design and technology.
Our automotive design sources suggest any modern Torana would likely be built on GM’s Alpha 2 platform, which underpinned the now-defunct Camaro. This rear-wheel-drive architecture would provide the perfect foundation for a driver-focused coupe with legitimate performance credentials.
Under the bonnet, GM has options. While tradition might suggest a V8, modern realities point to either a high-output turbocharged four-cylinder or, more likely, a twin-turbocharged V6 developing around 400 horsepower. The latter would provide a more fitting spiritual successor to the Torana’s muscular heritage while meeting modern efficiency requirements.
“The original A9X was never about brute force alone,” explains motorsport historian Aaron Noonan. “It was about balance, agility, and being the right size for Australian conditions and racetracks. A modern interpretation would need to capture that same essence—compact, agile, and with just enough power to be thrilling without being unmanageable.”
Styling: Honouring the Past Without Being Trapped By It
Any modern Torana would face the same challenge that confronts all heritage revivals: how to acknowledge the past without becoming a slave to it. The original A9X’s boxy, aggressive silhouette was a product of 1970s design language that wouldn’t translate directly to contemporary aesthetics.
“You can’t just do a bigger, modernised version of the original,” argues automotive stylist Paul Beranger, who worked on several Holden projects during his career. “That approach rarely succeeds. What you need to do is capture the essence, the attitude of the original, but express it in a thoroughly modern form.”
Our sources suggest that if such a project exists, the design would feature aggressive haunches, a relatively upright greenhouse compared to today’s sloping rooflines, and a front fascia that subtly references the original’s grille treatment without resorting to retro pastiche.
The stance would be crucial—the original A9X had a purposeful, ready-to-pounce attitude that made its performance intentions clear. A modern interpretation would need the same visual communication of intent, the same sense that this is a serious driving machine, not merely a styling exercise.
The Business Case: Why This Might Actually Happen
Sentimentality doesn’t drive corporate decisions—numbers do. So what’s the business case for resurrecting the Torana name for a global performance coupe?
First, there’s the undeniable gap in GM’s portfolio. With Camaro production ended and no direct replacement announced, GM lacks a competitor in a segment where arch-rival Ford competes strongly with the Mustang.
Second, developing markets like China have shown increasing appetite for authentic performance cars with genuine heritage. A Torana with the right combination of performance, style, and historical cachet could appeal globally, not just to nostalgic Australians.
Third, the premium compact performance segment commands healthy profit margins. BMW has demonstrated this with the M2, as has Audi with the RS3 and Mercedes-AMG with various compact offerings. GM could use those margins to offset development costs for a relatively low-volume specialty vehicle.
“The challenge would be production,” notes former automotive executive John Kett. “GM no longer has manufacturing capability in Australia, so any new Torana would be built elsewhere—likely North America or potentially Korea—and imported. That changes the economics compared to the original’s locally-built status.”
The Australian Connection: More Than Just a Name
If GM were to proceed with such a project, maintaining an authentic Australian connection would be crucial for credibility. This might include involving Australian designers and engineers, and potentially conducting significant development testing on Australian roads and racetracks.
“Australians can spot a cynical badge-engineering exercise a mile away,” warns automotive journalist Joshua Dowling. “If GM were to bring back the Torana name, they’d need to demonstrate real commitment to getting it right, not just slapping a historic badge on an existing product from another market.”
This might explain persistent rumours of GM engineers conducting secret testing at various Australian proving grounds and racetracks over the past 18 months—activities that the company has neither confirmed nor denied when approached for comment.
The Electric Question: Could a Torana Revival Go EV?
No discussion of future automotive products can ignore electrification. While traditionalists might balk at the idea of an electric Torana, the performance capabilities of modern EV platforms could actually make for a compelling interpretation of the A9X’s spirit.
“The original A9X was about accessible performance,” notes electric vehicle advocate Bryce Gaton. “It wasn’t the most powerful car of its era, but it offered a complete package that was more than the sum of its parts. A well-executed electric performance coupe could actually capture that same essence, with instant torque and the weight distribution advantages that come from battery placement.”
GM’s Ultium platform, which underpins vehicles like the GMC Hummer EV and Cadillac Lyriq, could be scaled down to create a compact performance coupe with the right proportions for a Torana successor.
However, sources suggest that if the project is real, it’s more likely to emerge as a traditional internal combustion vehicle first, with potential for electrification in later iterations—a strategy that hedges bets while the performance market continues its gradual transition to electric power.
A Halo for the GM Specialty Vehicle Operation
Since Holden’s demise, GM has maintained a presence in Australia through GM Specialty Vehicles (GMSV), which imports and converts vehicles like the Chevrolet Silverado and Corvette. A modern Torana could serve as a halo product for this operation, providing a more accessible entry point than the Corvette while carrying greater emotional resonance for Australian buyers.
“GMSV needs to expand beyond just American trucks and the Corvette if it wants long-term viability in this market,” argues automotive business analyst Richard Johns. “A product with authentic Australian heritage would give the operation something unique that resonates with local buyers in a way that imported American products, however good they may be, simply cannot.”
Could It Really Happen? Assessing the Odds
After sifting through the rumours, examining the business case, and consulting with industry sources, what are the actual chances of seeing a modern Torana A9X challenging the BMW M2 in 2028?
The realistic assessment: it’s a long shot, but not impossible.
GM has shown willingness to revive heritage nameplates when there’s a business case, as demonstrated by the return of the Hummer as an electric vehicle. The company also clearly understands the power of emotional connection to automotive brands, even as it makes hard-nosed business decisions.
The most likely scenario would be a GM performance coupe developed primarily for global markets, with the Torana name reserved specifically for the Australian market version, perhaps with unique suspension tuning and design elements to honor its heritage.
“Never say never in this industry,” cautions veteran automotive executive Richard Reilly. “I’ve seen projects that seemed impossible come to fruition, and sure things fall apart at the last minute. If there’s a genuine business case and passionate champions within the organization, anything is possible.”
What Would It Mean for Australian Car Culture?
For a country that has seen its once-proud automotive manufacturing industry disappear entirely, the symbolic importance of a Torana revival would extend far beyond the vehicle itself.
“It would represent a recognition that Australian automotive culture still matters,” reflects motoring historian Mark Oastler. “That the passion, expertise, and heritage developed here over decades continues to have value, even in a global automotive landscape that looks very different from when the original A9X was dominating local racetracks.”
For a generation of Australian enthusiasts who grew up with the Holden-versus-Ford rivalry defining their automotive world, it would provide a new chapter in a story many thought had ended.
Keeping the Dream Alive
Whether or not a modern Torana ever materialises, the persistent rumours and enthusiast renderings serve an important purpose in Australian car culture. They keep alive the connection to our automotive heritage and remind global manufacturers that this market, though small by world standards, punches above its weight in passion and knowledge.
If nothing else, the speculation around a potential Torana revival demonstrates that eight years after manufacturing ceased, the emotional connection to Holden remains powerful enough to fuel dreams of what could be.
And perhaps that’s the most fitting tribute to the original A9X—that decades after it ceased production, it still inspires hope for a future where Australian automotive passion finds expression in more than just imported vehicles with no connection to our national story.
For now, we can only watch for further signs that GM might be serious about bringing back a name that represents the best of Australian performance heritage. And maybe, just maybe, leave that porch light on a little longer.
What do you think? Would a modern Torana find success, or should some legends be left in the history books? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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