Opel
Flextreme GT-E Concept
Opel Flextreme GT/E Concept made its debut at the
80th Geneva Motor Show 2010, it will boost the company's credentials as a
leader in green technologies, offering expressive design with efficient
environmental performance - and engineered with German precision.
In Opel's strategy for achieving more independence
from fossil fuels, electricity plays a key role. The 4.7-meter long Opel
Flextreme GT/E Concept illustrates how extended-range electric vehicle (E-REV)
technology can be plugged into large or mid-size vehicles, as well as compact
cars such as the upcoming Opel Ampera.
Opel calls this strategy e-mobility unlimited:
adapting the highly efficient E-REV drive system - which removes the
limitations of battery-only power - to vehicles across all market segments. To
enjoy zero CO2 driving emissions Opel-style, the Flextreme GT/E concept shows
that size doesn't matter.
The purposeful design also enables the Opel
Flextreme GT/E Concept to achieve a projected drag co-efficient of just 0.22,
which helps it reach a 200 km/h-plus top speed as well as conserve energy and
extend its driving range. Stand-out visual features include a low and wide
stance, wing-shaped lights front and rear, a distinctive nose and grille,
floating C-pillars and muscular, sculptured bodywork.
Access to the cabin is enhanced by the adoption of
rear-hinged rear doors, an evolution of the Opel FlexDoors concept from the new
generation Meriva monocab. To preserve the clean exterior looks, all door
handles are replaced by light sensors. These trigger the doors open when
covered by the driver's or passenger's hand. To reduce air turbulence, exterior
front door mirrors are also absent, replaced by small camera pods in the base
of the A-pillars.
The translucency of the fixed glass panel in the
center of the roof is adaptive, allowing sunlight to warm the interior in the
cold of winter, but darkening for coolness in summer. A duct at the rear edge
of the roof is for additional cooling of the battery and electronic components.
Despite its greater size and a maximum speed of
more than 200 kilometers per hour, the Opel Flextreme GT/E Concept is projected
to offer performance similar to that of the Ampera: a battery-powered driving
range of up to 60 km - with zero CO2 tailpipe emissions - and a total range of
more than 500 km. Average fuel consumption is estimated at 1.6 l/100 km, with
CO2 emissions of less than 40 g/km.
Unlike a hybrid vehicle, the wheels of the Opel
Flextreme GT/E Concept are powered at all times by electricity. For typical
journeys up to 60 km, energy is supplied by a T-shaped lithium-ion battery pack
located under the floor and rear seat.
However, unlike a battery-only electric vehicle,
the Opel Flextreme GT/E Concept eliminates any possibility of range anxiety
through fear of being stranded without power. The small gasoline
engine/generator is seamlessly engaged to provide electricity whenever the
battery's supply becomes depleted. In this mode, the driving range is extended
to more than 500 km, until the plug-in battery pack can be recharged or the car
is refueled. The motor in the electric drive unit delivers a substantial 370 Nm
of instant torque, giving lively performance and projected zero to 100 km/h
acceleration in less than nine seconds.
