Erich Bitter is Back with His Holden Monaro Based CD II

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Like days gone by, one of General Motors divisions still supplies rolling chassis to Bitter Cars, but for the first time its not Opel. (Photo: Bitter Cars)

With the help of GM of Australia, better known as Holden, Bitter is once again ready to release a production car. (Photo: Bitter Cars)

The CD II will be powered by nothing less than GMs 404-hp 5.7 liter LS1 V8 motor. (Photo: Bitter Cars)

The CD II is a car that is both eye-catching and radical, yet still remains easy on the eyes. (Photo: Bitter Cars)

Thanks to Bitter, the Monaro/GTO chassis used for the CD II receives all the trimmings of a top notch luxury car.(Photo: Bitter Cars)

Bitter CD II is First Bitter Not Based on Opel

In bygone days many automakers supplied rolling chassis to coachbuilders that would in-turn produce the finished product, with styling and features unique to the design house. Now, major automotive manufacturers rarely join forces with third-party boutique carmakers that completely alter the character and look of their cars.

Beyond a Brabus tuning kit for a Benz or a Saleen performance pack for various Fords, Bitter Cars completely redesigns cars made by General Motors German division Opel. But rather than sell Bitter complete cars that it would then have to disassemble before adding their own unique bodies, Opel sells Bitter rolling chassis just like relationships of old.

After producing two upscale models in previous years, the CD in the 1970s and its successor, the SC in the 80s, Bitter ran into financial difficulties. Although the manufacturer continued to create prototypes such as the Omega-based Type III sedan in the 90s, there hasnt been a production model since that time. But now things might change for the better.

Once again, with the help of a complying GM of Europe, Bitter has an excellent factory-ready product. But hold on, in a break from tradition its rolling chassis doesnt come from Opel, but Holden, GMs Australian arm responsible for the new Pontiac GTO.

The GTO uses Holdens Monaro sports coupe, which is also the base for the second generation CD. With a performance history to live up to, the CD II will be powered by nothing less than GMs 5.7 liter LS1 V8 motor which has been tuned to a whopping 404 horsepower. Its a respectable gain over the standard 370 horsepower version, which comes as part of the HSV Monaro. Reflecting the specification list of the old CD and SC models, the CD II will be offered with an automatic transmission as standard, as well as the option of all-wheel drive. A modern rendition of yesteryears Bitter? Its shaping up to be the car every Bitter fan has long been waiting for.

On the outside, its quite hard to trace the CD II back to its origins. For the better part most of the Opel proportions have remained, and little bits such as the side view mirrors have been kept the same, but the entire car comes across as looking more like a BMW 8-Series than a GM product. The hood of the CD II has been angled much more steeply than in any of the other forms, while the sides and rear are simple and free of clutter bar the dramatically flared fenders.

Gone are the retractable headlamps, which were once featured on all Bitter cars, coupe or sedan, but the CD II still keeps its thin-lipped grille with the Bitter corporate logo up front. Around the back, circular stacked taillamps and a fastback style C-pillar tidily tie the car together. This is a car that stands out, not only because of its eye-catching, radical shape but also because its so smooth and easy on the eyes. In the same way that the CD and SC captured the wedgy, boxy look of their era, the CD II makes use of modern styling cues perfectly.

As in other Bitter products, concepts or otherwise, the CD II has a reworked interior compared to the car that its based on. In this case, the Monaro/GTO chassis receives all the trimmings of a top notch luxury car. Rich, glossy wood has been applied to nearly every accent surface: multiple times on the steering wheel, around the instrument cluster surround, on the doors and throughout the center console. Other trim accents include an aluminum shift knob and drilled pedals. The interior has also been refinished in rich, high-quality leather just as in the cars that proceeded.

But as for the rest of the interior goes, theres still a little bit lacking. For the CD IIs top-tier price, E108,000 (131,000 USD), simple rotary dials for the HVAC and the lack of a navigation system should turn buyers away. Sure the car is spacious, with plenty of space for four adults and room in the trunk for several golf bags or suitcases.

The CD II is as close to a production car that Bitter has come in decades. In just a few short days, the final word will be put in whether or not the CD II will go into production. Erich Bitter, namesake and head of the company, is working out details for financing the project. So far, the investors have a completed prototype to analyze, and the knowledge that much of the cars workings have already been signed off. Developmental partner IAV, located in Berlin, Germany, will complete the bodywork with final assembly by Bitters own workers in Braunschweig.

If all goes as planned, the first of the CD IIs would be ready in just eight months with a total production run of 480 to 600 units per year over four years - definitely ambitious for the brand. Also, if the CD II manages to be produced it will be a Europe-only model.