After we got a first glimpse of the Zafira study by means of an iPad hologram, Opel released the full details of the concept which previews the next-generation Zafira MPV. Described by Opel as a “lounge on wheels”, the design study uses the same style language as seen on the Insignia and Astra models.
The front is the most eye-catching part of the Zafira's sleek bodywork, with the headlights, LED running lights and the fog lights being united in a boomerang-shaped structure, inspired by the Ampera EV's fascia. Unlike the Meriva, the Zafira sports conventional doors and has a dynamic look due to the ascendent midline and the 20-inch rims.
Even though the mainstream variants of the production Astra GTC will lose the muscular bumpers, LEDs and tall 21-inch wheels of the design study, it's safe to say that what you see here is more or less what you'll get when the car arrives in Opel and Vauxhall showrooms across Europe in 2011.
For those wanting something closer in looks to the concept, there's good news as the flagship OPC model is expected to keep most of the styling features including the chunky bumpers.
For the most part, Opel's study is a thinly veiled concept of next year's sporty three-door Astra hatch, which will carry the GTC tag. On top of that, the concept's aggressive details such as the styling of the bumpers and the large wheels (style- and not 21-inch size-wise) strongly hint at the OPC version.
Same goes for the Astra-sourced interior that we see here for the very first time. Highlights include the sporty bucket front seats and a flat-bottomed racing steering wheel with metal inserts, both of which are expected to make their way on the new OPC.
The big difference here is shaping to be extra output in a traditionally showy hot-hatch package, or a sleek and sophisticated ride with potentially less power. But first, a joke: what would a diesel Ford Focus ST be called? Think about it.
Barring all the artsy literary references and mumbo jumbo, the facts go as follows: the GTC will be a compact, 3-door hatch for five with a coupe-like roofline. It measures 4.46 meters long and incorporates modern Opel design cues like the "blade" running along the rocker. Inside the concept appear to be some optional race-inspired cheek huggers.
The teaser you see pictured above is from the concept model's seats which are laser-etched with the phrase "And the speed was pure beauty" from Richard Bach's novel, Jonathan Livingston Seagull.
No other details were provided, but there's a good chance the study may preview the range-topping OPC version fitted with a 240HP+ turbo engine and designed to rival both the VW Golf GTI and Scirocco.
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And while many (yours truly included) may support that an Astra-based sports coupe sounds like a more reasonable and lucrative proposal for Opel, Car Magazine has returned with an update on the Calibra II / GTC Concept story.
The report claims that the four-seater coupe is still under consideration but if it gets the final okay, it could go on sale as early as 2013, which sounds plausible given that the car would be more or less a two-door version of the Opel Insignia (sold in the U.S. as the 2011 Buick Regal).
If you find the Opel / Vauxhall Ampera and consequently the Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrids a little too plain and boring for your tastes, then you ought to a look at this handsome conceptual proposal from GM's European arm.
The 4.7-meter long Opel Flextreme GT/E concept with its coupe-like proportions and suicide-style rear doors illustrates how GM's extended-range electric vehicle (E-REV) technology can be plugged into a larger size vehicle with a more emotional design DNA.
"The Flextreme GT/E concept shows the shape of things to come from Opel," says Frank Weber, Vice President, Corporate and Product Planning. "Bold, expressive and highly efficient, it represents the product strategy we will apply to all our future vehicles, large and small, across all market segments."
Described by Opel as a 'five-door coupe', the 4.7-meter (185-in.) long Flextreme GT/E concept that adopts the new Meriva's rear-hinged rear doors also illustrates a further development of the firm's current design language as seen on the Insignia, Astra and Meriva.
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Opel said that the new concept car "couples expressive, beautiful design with German engineering to meet the environmental challenges of tomorrow" and that the study "is proof that size and comfort do not have to be sacrificed for a vehicle to be environmentally efficiency."
Other than that, all we have to go on for now is this teaser image that shows the concept's front grille and incorporates the 'Voltec' logo, meaning that the study makes use of the Volt's plug-in hybrid powertrain.
Earlier this week, Opel / Vauxhall boss Nick Reilly revealed that GM's European unit is planning to launch an extended-range electric vehicle in addition to the Ampera (a.k.a. the European Volt) in the very near future, so the new concept will most likely give us an idea of what the car will be.
The new concept model will be escorted in Geneva by the new Meriva small MPV, the Ampera and the updated Corsa supermini.
Speaking to reporters during a conference call on Saturday, GM's newly appointed President of its European operations, Nick Reilly, made several statements concerning the present and future of Opel / Vauxhall. Among other things, Reilly, who is also in charged for Chevrolet Europe, said that a new mini car is a top priority for Opel / Vauxhall and that the Ampera hybrid (Opel's version of the Chevy Volt) will be manufactured at some point in Europe.In regards to the financial aid for Opel / Vauxhall, Reilly said that while GM has sufficient money in the U.S, it cannot spend a significant amount on its European operations for a number of reasons including that much of that money will be used for Delphi and completing restructuring in the States, and of course, to pay back the government loans.
Reilly added that GM expects to get financial support from most European governments for Opel / Vauxhall and that the company would be "disappointed" if Germany is the only country which does not participate.
According to reports, GM's restructuring plan includes 8,500 job cuts from its 50,000-strong European workforce in order to return to profitability by 2012.
*Pictured above: Opel Trixx Concept
Statements by Nick Reilly, President, GM Europe:
On his President, GM Europe title:
"The reason for the GME President title is because we want to be consistent. We have three Presidents in our organization going forward: one for North America, one International (AP & LAAM) and one for Europe. We will not have a return to the former GME organization. There will be two organizations in Europe: Opel/Vauxhall and Chevrolet Europe. I will be accountable for both, run Opel/Vauxhall while Wayne Brannon will continue to be in charge of Chevrolet Europe." (As background, Wayne Brannon reported to Nick Reilly in the past when he was GMIO President and will continue to do that now as President GM Europe.)
On the question of an Opel/Vauxhall CEO:
"I will be CEO, so we have called off the search. I will also be responsible for other GM business in Europe."
On the Opel / Vauxhall management team:
"I will be announcing a new management team next week, but I won't comment on any individuals at the moment."
On the Opel/Vauxhall product portfolio:
I see gaps which need to be filled. Opel needs a mini; that will be our top priority. I want to clarify that we will also need to continue with light commercial vehicles, that is a reasonable share of our business.
On alternative powertrain technology:
"We can take advantage of global technology and look at introducing hybrids. Ampera will be manufactured in Europe. Initially, the car will be imported from the US, but long-term, we are looking for a local source. Ellesmere Port is one of the candidates, but there are others. Also, we will look at battery technology. Electric vehicles will increase the focus on that."
On Friday's meeting in Brussels:
"It was a positive meeting. We need €3.3 billion in total of which €1 billion is for restructuring. The rest primarily will be for investments in new products. We expect to lose money in 2010, so we will need some support to get through next year. I am not sure when a decision will be made, but I've been getting positive responses. The aid will be in line with national and EU rules. No date on when to expect a decision."
On the need for government support:
"There is a belief out there that GM has sufficient money in the U.S. that it can spend in Europe. That is not the case. Much of that money will be needed for Delphi and completing restructuring in the US. We also have some of that money in an escrow account for disasters in the US and we can't touch that.
Third, the US market remains depressed and we have to have some money to get us through 2011. We also need to to the US government. Finally the money is US taxpayer money. We can use some of it outside of the US but not all."
On government support from Germany:
"We've prepared an application for the German government. They were willing to support Magna deal, so we expect some support for our plan. Financial aid is no different from other car companies in the US or Japan or other European countries.
I am optimistic they will come forth with aid … but regardless, the German government decision will not lead to more or fewer lay-offs in Germany. The expectation is that we will get financial support from most European governments. We would be disappointed if Germany is the only country which does not participate."
On the Antwerp facility:
"Until we finalize our discussions, we won't make any comments. We will and are looking for alternatives. But bear in mind, we must reduce capacity and we must reduce structural costs. We had plans and an agreement in place, but some plans can't come true in view of the changing business environment. You see in the U.S. how many plants had to be shut down – and there were probably product plans for each one of them. To be sustainable, we must reduce capacity."
On timing:
"We hope to make an announcement in the next 2-3 weeks. Anticipate before the end of the year or possibly beginning of next year."
On alleged export restrictions for Opel:
"Let me be quite clear. Opel has no restrictions for exporting. It already has a small but loyal business in China. It attempted to sell in India, but didn't build the necessary reputation, was losing money and pulled out. Same with Japan.
The key is, if a good brand can make money what would stop us from exporting? We will look at opportunities market by market. If it requires building the brand, that is very difficult to do. We will not enter into an export program just to add volume. We must be able to make money; otherwise we won't do it."
More often than not, people tend o believe that technologies like hybrid or all electric drivetrains are a recent discovery, something which is entirely wrong. Among the many examples throughout automotive history is GM's own Stir-Lec 1 concept. Seen here in an advertisement from 1969, the Opel Kadett based study used a hybrid drivetrain that worked in a similar way to the one found in the modern Chevrolet Volt. In particular, the Stir-Lec 1 was equipped with a small capacity Stirling engine mounted at the rear that recharged a pack of 14 conventional lead acid batteries which in turn powered the electric motor that drove the rear wheels. General Motors claimed in the print advert that the experimental hybrid vehicle was capable of reaching a top speed of 55mph or about 88km/h.
And while there's no doubt that modern hybrid gasoline-electric drivetrains are far more advance and reliable enough for everyday use than their experimental predecessors, one cannot but wonder what today's world would have been like if GM or any other automaker for that matter, had focused on the development of these type of alternative powertrains.
Scan via: Bangshift - Thanks for tip Alex!
The results are in for the Royal College of Art (RCA) Vehicle Design program's competition for the Opel - Vauxhall of the year 2049 that was co-sponsored by General Motors Europe. The winning concept is the Opel Darwin 2049 created by Augustin Barbot from France. The 25-year-old's proposal, which was selected among 18 other concept models, was designed to hover about 100mm above the ground by electro-magnetic power or in the sea like a submarine.
According to Barbot, the energy to move the lightweight vehicle is produced by three turbines, two at the front and one at the back.
The young designer's prize will be to spend three months working at General Motors Europe Design Center in Rüsselsheim, Germany. Furthermore, the automaker also decided to recognize the efforts of two other students, Hyunjoon Park (25) of South Korea and Miika Heikkinen (26) of Finland, who will both join Barbot to Russelsheim to meet and work with the GM design team.
"The standard of overall work was excellent; everything we saw was very forward thinking and anticipated both practical and emotional needs of mobility. Augustin did a good job interpreting the brief from an Opel/Vauxhall perspective, building on our commitment to electric vehicles and anticipating tomorrow's mobility needs," said GME's advance design chief Lo.
"It's clear from the new Insignia that GM Europe is going through a design revolution and judging from the sales figures, good design is now on top of everyone's agenda," said RCA Vehicle design director Harrow.
In celebration of the 40th anniversary of UK's famed Royal College of Art (RCA) Vehicle Design course, GM is sponsoring a styling competition that will see some 19 students from 11 countries, including Germany, the UK, France, the Czech Republic, India and China, proposing their ideas for an Opel-branded vehicle of the future. The students must identify the potential customer of tomorrow and use their profile to create an aesthetic representation of what a future Opel might look like in 40 years from now.All proposals will exhibited on Monday, April 27 at the London Transport Museum. The winner of the competition that will be chosen by a panel of judges that RCA professors and car designers like Peter Stevens, will have the chance to spend three months working at General Motors' European Design Center in Rüsselsheim.
Carscoop's spy photographers have done it again, this time by capturing the Opel Ampera study totally undisguised at one of the firm's German centers. Due to be revealed for the first time in public at next month's Geneva Motor Show, the Ampera is nothing more, nothing less, than a Chevy Volt with a new fascia and a subtly redesigned rear-end. Opel's version of GM's extended-range electric vehicle is scheduled to go on sale in Europe during the second half of 2011, or about a year after the Volt hits Chevy's North American outlets.
The most visible styling changes on the Ampera concern the EV's front-end design which is inspired from Opel's latest concept cars like the GTC. It features a set of Civic-like headlamps with vertical air ducts, a thinner grille and a new bumper.
At the rear-end, aside from the new bumper, Opel's design team restyled the tail lamps and added a horizontal chrome bar while they also painted the lower part of the fifth door in the same color as the rest of the car -as opposed to the Volt's blacked out panel.
We don't have any pictures of the Ampera's interior, but judging from exterior, we're guessing that changes will most likely be minimal.
According to General Motors, for trips up to 60 km or around 40 miles, the Ampera will run solely on lithium-ion battery power charged through a standard 230v outlet while for longer distances, the car will continue to drive on electricity that is generated by a small internal combustion engine.
