GENEVA MOTOR SHOW: Holden awaits Captiva facelift

General Motors has revealed a facelifted version of Europe's Chevrolet Captiva ahead of its world debut at next week's Geneva motor show – and its release in Australia as the upgraded Holden Captiva 7 within the next year.

Holden imports both the seven-seat Captiva 7 and five-seat Captiva 5 – which is badged as the Opel/Vauxhall Antara in Europe – from Korea, but as yet there is no sign of an upgraded Captiva 5.

Senior Communications Manager, Shayna Welsh, told motoring.com.au it's "too early to talk about the Captiva", but we understand the facelifted Captiva 7 will be introduced in Australia within the next 12 months, perhaps alongside an upgraded Captiva 5.

An all-new successor for the Captiva - which could be built in Australia, based on the fact Holden's next Cruze due in 2015 will be underpinned by a new D2XX platform that also replaces the current Captiva's Theta II platform – now appears unlikely until the second half of this decade.

For now, the Chevrolet Captiva's minor makeover, which almost certainly previews the 2014 Holden Captiva 7 to be offered in Australia, includes a new rear bumper, updated LED tail- lights and new-look square exhaust outlets.

Though the front-end hasn't been revealed yet, GM says it will feature a lower front bumper, new foglights and an updated mesh grille.

The European-spec 2013 Captiva also benefits from new seat fabrics and a refreshed instrument panel, while keyless entry/starting, ambient lighting, heated rear seats and new 18-inch wheels have been added to some models.

Holden introduced a facelifted 'Series II' Captiva range in February 2011, bringing extra equipment, new engines and price cuts of between $2000 and $600.

It will launch a facelifted version of its locally assembled Cruze next week, the heavily upgraded VF Commodore in May and the all-new Trax compact SUV after that.

When the Trax eventually makes its way to Australia later in the year it will compete against other new compact SUVs like Ford's upcoming EcoSport.

Like the Ford, the Trax will be pitched at younger tech-savvy buyers, and be offered with a range of smartphone integration features under the MyLink banner.

Holden's MyLink system has already been rolled out on Barina models, but is expected to offer improved functionality for Trax.

Designed to rival Ford's SYNC, the MyLink system allows smartphones such as the Apple iPhone to integrate with the car and operate apps that allow music streaming from Internet radio stations, GPS navigation and even Apple's Siri assistant.

Though Ms Welsh wouldn't confirm which systems and apps would be available with the Australian-spec Trax, she revealed Holden will be expanding the advanced phone-to-car integration features in Australia.

"MyLink is a big focus for Holden this year. There's a lot coming," she said.

For our full coverage head to motoring.com.au for the latest Geneva motor show news