Stunning Chev concept with Aussie genes

Chevrolet is set to wow crowds at the upcoming Paris motor show (it starts on September 28) with this stunning WTCC Ultra concept, which was penned by talented Holden designer Ewan Kingsbury.

The photographs are yet to be revealed, but these sketches provide an indication of the taut muscular lines that distinguish the purposeful concept.

Although only 25, Kingsbury is no stranger to a high-profile concept cars, as he previously worked alongside Max Wolff (who's since moved on to GM-Daewoo) to put the finishing touches to the Torana TT36 concept -- which starred at the 2004 Sydney show -- under the leadership of Tony Stolfo.

Although the concept points to a future Chevrolet contender in the World Touring Car Championship, of more significance to us is the fact that it's a telling indicator of the esteem with which Holden's design expertise is regarded within the GM empire.

The WTCC Ultra is the first concept Holden Design has conceived for another GM brand, and it's a sign of the growing role that GM's Australian subsidiary is likely to play in the car-making giant's global jigsaw. (We've already documented how Holden's home-grown Zeta platform is set to underpin the 2009 Chevrolet Camaro -- not to mention other future products within GM's international portfolio.)

Meanwhile, GM points out that the WTCC Ultra is more than just a styling study, for beneath its chiselled contours lurks a fully working vehicle that's claimed to be "not just ready for the road, but raring to go on the racetrack."

While the styling was conceived Down Under, the development work on the concept was carried out in the UK, Germany and Switzerland. The Ultra's engine was built in Korea, and the prototype was assembled in Japan.

The Ultra's 140kW common rail turbo-diesel powerplant is based on the 2.0-litre unit that will debut internationally in the Captiva SUV and Lacetti models next year.

According to GM, the concept exists as a vision of a new generation of World Touring Cars, and is intended at least partly to trumpet the success of Chevrolet's WTCC race team, which took its second victory of the season earlier this month at Brno in the Czech Republic.