Opel teases Mazda CX-9 rival

Opel has tweeted a teasing pic of an all-new, mid-size SUV it is developing following its acquisition by PSA.

The dark shadowy image, posted on its social media channels last night shows a tall, imposing vehicle that appears to lack a conventional grille or front air intake.

This has led to the suggestion the former GM Europe brand will also develop a pure-electric model, although traditional petrol, diesels and a plug-in hybrid will also be offered.

Following Vauxhall/Opel's recent assertion that it plans to reduce the number of platforms it uses from today's nine to just two by 2024, it's almost certain the new SUV will be based on PSA's versatile EMP2 architecture that provides the basis for the current Peugeot 3008 and 5008 SUVs.

Under the bonnet, the Opel rival for the Mazda CX-9 will share the French car-maker's efficient range of four-cylinder petrol and diesels that could even include a pure-electric version that borrows its powertrain from the European-only Ampera-e.

Set for a launch in 2020, the unnamed SUV could help Opel return to the Australian market as as a standalone brand.

The apparent revival of an all-new flagship SUV from Opel under PSA ownership follows the project's axing by former owner General Motors, which would have provided Holden with a top-shelf luxury SUV based on the 2018 Commodore/Insignia to sit alongside the small Trax, large Trailblazer and upcoming, US-built Equinox mid-sizer and Acadia seven-seater.