Opel Flextreme GT/E Concept 2010
On the 80th Geneva Motor Show (March 4 to 14), Opel offers a taste of the future of the brand. The concept car Flextreme GT / E is expressive, self-confident design with high emotional appeal. An efficient, environmentally friendly electric power is the GT Flextreme / E more than 200 Km / h fast.
This vehicle is a prototype and can not be bought!
Electric actuators are designed for Opel is the key to greater independence from fossil fuels. The implementation of the E-REV technology into the 4.70-meter long Flextreme GT / E Concept makes it clear that this pioneering approach works well in larger cars – similar to the compact Opel Ampera that comes on the market already in 2011. E-REV stands for Extended-Range Electric Vehicle and Electric Vehicle means with extended reach. With this technology it is possible to reserve the limited reach of a pure battery drive. The aerodynamic design with a drag coefficient of only 0.22 enables high performance. What’s more, the concept has to deal carefully with energy resources, which benefits also reach. The impressive appearance of the concept vehicle is characterized by its dimensions: Flat and wide, with arrow-shaped front and rear lights, expressive front end, a strong, visually perforated C-pillar and a muscular body subscribed.
The silhouette of the Flextreme GT / E highlights the development potential offered by the new Opel design language: Sculptural elegance paired with aerodynamic efficiency. The clear-cut front is determined by the flat bonnet, surrounded by the characteristic arrow-shaped LED headlamps that sit deep cut across in the wings. The new, trapezoidal grill is slender and energetic. In the center also has a arrow shaped, prominent chrome bar that large Opel Insignia, which hides behind the charging socket on the Flextreme batteries of GT / E.
The upper part of the grill serves as an inlet for a cooling wind, while the bottom is covered with a transparent cover. Since no other air intakes are required, could Opel’s designers the front in the sense of optimal aerodynamic design is particularly flat. Nevertheless meets the Flextreme GT / E, the future pedestrian protection regulations. The three-dimensional shaped hood with the brand’s typical crease points on both sides of narrow, on longitudinal extending openings through which the air can escape from the engine compartment. Muscular fenders and wheel arches go smoothly into the tapered side line. The profile of the Flextreme GT / E features a new, strongly shaped, but visually perforated C-pillar. This allows a continuous, flowing curved roof line and window to the rear. The new interpretation of the Opel-typical sickle-shaped bead, which extends from the C-pillar to the front fenders, emphasizes the dynamic look of the vehicle.
Similar to the new Opel Meriva concept ensures the enhanced FlexDoors with rear-hinged rear doors for an optimal entry into the vehicle. Light sensors instead of conventional door handles keep the smooth lines. Covered the hand of the driver or passenger, the sensor, this triggers the opening mechanism. In order to reduce air turbulence on the side, the mirrors through small camera body at the bottom of the A-pillars are replaced.
In the rear surrounds a pronounced shoulder line, the sculpted wheel arches and emphasizes the wide, low shape of the Flextreme GT / E. The coupe-look completes the steeply sloping tailgate with arrow-shaped LED light units. As in the Insignia Sports Tourer, the tailgate reaches three-dimensional far around the car completed, allowing better access to the boot. The slightly curved outwards, reaching far into the rear window roof improves airflow. The translucent glass panel in the middle of the roof has two functions: while in winter the sun’s rays pass through and so warms the interior, the disc darkens in the summer and provides a pleasant climate. Through an air scoop at the rear end of the roof batteries and electronic components, additional cooling. The Flextreme GT / E impressed with his impressive performance and efficiency of its design. Due to the low end surfaces, its low height of only 1308 mm and the smooth, encapsulated underbody, he cuts through the air with a minimum of turbulence.
A whole series of other measures also improves the aerodynamics. So as to reduce the narrow 21-inch alloy wheels and special 195/45er drag tires reduce rolling resistance. Clear, flush mounted covers the rim to minimize air turbulence at the wheels. The minimum front inlet optimizes air flow around the front of the car, and at the back of the bow once again climbs up subsoil reduces the air resistance – similar to the Venturi effect. The Flextreme GT / E impressively demonstrates the impact of active, flexible body components. At speeds exceeding 50 km / h drive from the ventilation slots of the rear wheel arches parallel to the body vertical spoiler. The 350 mm long baffles direct the air flow characteristics at the rear and reduce turbulence.
To save weight, Opel’s engineers used for the outer body parts light carbon-fiber composites, in the windows of polycarbonate plastics were used for structural components they used aluminum alloys. The result: 40 percent weight savings compared to conventional materials. Less weight means more efficient use of energy. The heart of the efficient propulsion concept is the E-REV-system, as has already been developed for the Opel Ampera. The Flextreme GT / E now, illustrates the flexibility of this technology in medium-sized vehicles format.
Despite its size reaches the Flextreme GT / E values as the similarly impressive Ampera: distances up to 60 km puts the car in the pure battery back completely CO2-free. Total mileage of more than 500 kilometers are possible. The resulting average fuel consumption is around 1.6 liters per 100 kilometers. The CO2 emissions are less than 40 g / km. Unlike hybrid vehicles, the Flextreme uses GT / E only electrical energy as a power source. For the typical distances up to 60 kilometers, which are, on average, laid back daily, provides the energy a T-shaped lithium-ion battery arranged block, located under the back seat into the floor.
Unlike pure electric cars is the Flextreme GT / E, the range is not limited by the capacity of the battery. When on long journeys the charge of the battery is coming to an end, a small internal combustion engine as a generator provides the necessary current. This allows a range of over 500 kilometers. Subsequently, the batteries can be recharged, or the Flextreme GT / E is running to the next gas station. The electric drive motor delivers the state a substantial torque of 370 Nm, enabling acceleration from 0 to 100 km / h in under 9 seconds. The Flextreme GT / E Concept is a further step of Opel’s strategy to promote the electrification of the automobile. This includes a wide range of products – from battery-powered vehicles over electric car with extended range up to hybrid or fuel cell technology.
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