Geneva Show: Opel Flextreme GT/E Concept for a Sportier Volt

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.

Despite its good looks, the concept model has been optimized for aerodynamic efficiency featuring among other things a pair of retractable spoilers hidden behind each rear wheel-arch that extend out 350-mm at speeds over 50 km/h or 31mph to guide high-speed airflow around the rear corners of the car, further reducing the amount of turbulence.

According to the Germans, the Flextreme GT/E achieves a projected drag co-efficient of just 0.22.

The study uses the Volt's E-REV drive system, meaning the front wheels are always driven by an electric motor producing 160HP (120kW) and 370Nm of torque with a 1.4-liter gasoline engine kicking in to supply electricity once the lithium-ion batteries are depleted.

Opel said that the Flextreme GT/E is estimated to offer performance similar to that of the Ampera with a battery-powered driving range of up to 65km or 40 miles and a total range of over 500km or 311 miles. Average fuel consumption is estimated at 1.6lt/100km or 147mpg US, with CO2 emissions of under 40g/km.

The five-door concept is said to be able to accelerate from zero to 100km/h (62mph) in less than nine seconds and achieve a top speed in excess of 200km/h or 124 mph.

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Opel Flextreme GT/E: Sporty Saloon Concept with Chevy Volt Powertrain

A conceptual study that demonstrates how General Motors' extended-range electric vehicle (E-REV) technology can be utilized in larger and more stylish cars than the Chevy Volt and its European twin, the Opel Ampera, will be the star of the German brand's stand at next month's Geneva Motor Show.

"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.

>But there's more than meets the eye about the concept model's design as the car achieves a projected drag co-efficient of just 0.22 helping it reach a 200 km/h-plus top speed as well as conserve energy and extend its driving range.

Stand-out features include a pair of retractable spoilers hidden behind each rear wheel-arch that extend out 350-mm at speeds over 50 km/h or 31mph to guide high-speed airflow around the rear corners of the car, further reducing the amount of turbulence.

Other highlights include the hidden door handles that are replaced by light sensors and the specially designed 21-inch alloy wheels fitted with relatively narrow 195/45, low rolling resistance tires.

Drive for the Flextreme GT/E concept comes from the Chevy Volt's powertrain that uses a an electric motor with 120kW / 160HP and 370Nm of torque to move the front wheels.

For journeys up to 60 km or about 37 miles, energy is supplied by a T-shaped lithium-ion battery pack located under the floor and rear seat.

Once the battery is depleted, a 1.4-liter gasoline engine / generator kicks in to supply electricity. In this mode, the driving range is extended to more than 500 km or 311 miles, until the plug-in battery pack can be recharged or the car is refueled.

Opel projects that the average fuel consumption of is estimated at 1.6 l/100 km, with CO2 emissions of less than 40 g/km, while the company supports that the study can go from zero to 100km/h (62mph) in less than nine seconds and achieve a top speed in excess of 200km/h or 124 mph.

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Opel Teases New Concept Car with Volt Powertrain Ahead of 2010 Geneva Motor Show

It's been a while since we last saw a concept model from GM's Opel / Vauxhall brands, but the company is planning a 'green' surprise for this year's edition of the Geneva Motor Show in the beginning of March.

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.

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