Inside the Opel Antara

Preview of the Interior

Security-conscious engineers have hidden their valuables - but they left the Opel Antara's previously unseen interior in view! And our spy photographers were able to snap the prototype unattended during winter testing. This is the first picture of the cabin, and while the outside clearly borrows from the Frankfurt Motor Show car, it's harder to spot the similarities inside.

However, the roadgoing model does retain the trio of air vents previewed by the concept. Beneath them there's a special button which launches a Land Rover-style hill descent control, so the absence of a set of low-range gears shouldn't hamper off-road ability. In addition, the SUV boasts an electronically controlled four-wheel-drive set-up, which will also help the Antara cope in the rough stuff.

Other details include an unusual handbrake design, which becomes part of the centre console when released, while the controls for the ventilation and radio are borrowed from the firm's parts bin. And although not visible in our spy shots, the Zafira compact MPV's clever overhead storage and glass roof panels are expected to be offered on the Antara as an option. The range will feature a pair of diesel motors and a single petrol unit, while all engine options will come with a five-speed manual transmission. The Antara is set to debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March, with the first models likely to start arriving in showrooms in September.