What is it?
Opel GTC Concept
What's special about it?
On the eve of the first press day of the Geneva auto show, Opel unveiled its GTC concept, a car that strongly hints at the next-generation Opel Vectra.
GM's European head of design, Bryan Nesbitt, said the GTC speaks a new design language for Opel.
The four-seat, all-wheel-drive GTC (Gran Turismo Coupe) also is intended to inject some emotion and interest in the market for premium midsize cars, a segment that has been softening in Europe over the last few years.
The GTC concept is very close to production, probably within a couple of years. It uses the same platform of the existing Opel Vectra (introduced in its current form in 2005), but it's been adapted to all-wheel drive and a 300-horsepower, turbocharged 2.8-liter V6 engine. The concept has what looks like a matte silver finish accented with shiny chrome trim, though this look is not planned for production.
Opel officials said that with the GTC concept, they have addressed all the design criticisms made about the current Vectra. The GTC features an aggressive front end with large vertical aluminum intakes that intersect the headlamps. These design elements are mimicked on the rear. The sides are dramatically sculptured, as is the back end.
The interior of the GTC concept also represents a new chapter in Opel's brand identity, Nesbitt says. The interior shapes and surfaces, like the exterior, are sculpted. And the GTC goes sporty with red accents.
The GTC introduces a clever rear-seat configuration that Opel calls Flex4. The backs of both rear seats can be docked separately to the front seats via a power remote control. Once the seats are pushed far forward, there's a spacious, flat load floor for luggage and cargo.
The Opel GTC concept hints at the next Opel Vectra, which will become the basis for not only the next-generation Saturn Aura but also the next-generation Chevy Malibu. Bob Lutz, vice chairman of General Motors, tells us that the 2008 Malibu, unveiled at the Detroit show, will be short-lived before it is replaced with the new architecture. The next-generation Malibu will be sold globally, though it might not be called the Malibu in markets outside the U.S.
What's Edmunds' take?
Opel's fortunes are on the comeback under the leadership of ex-BMW executive Carl-Peter Forster, now president of GM Europe, and the GTC reflects his sensibilities. Can you imagine this car as a Saturn? — Michelle Krebs, Senior Editor, Industry
Opel GTC Concept
What's special about it?
On the eve of the first press day of the Geneva auto show, Opel unveiled its GTC concept, a car that strongly hints at the next-generation Opel Vectra.
GM's European head of design, Bryan Nesbitt, said the GTC speaks a new design language for Opel.
The four-seat, all-wheel-drive GTC (Gran Turismo Coupe) also is intended to inject some emotion and interest in the market for premium midsize cars, a segment that has been softening in Europe over the last few years.
The GTC concept is very close to production, probably within a couple of years. It uses the same platform of the existing Opel Vectra (introduced in its current form in 2005), but it's been adapted to all-wheel drive and a 300-horsepower, turbocharged 2.8-liter V6 engine. The concept has what looks like a matte silver finish accented with shiny chrome trim, though this look is not planned for production.
Opel officials said that with the GTC concept, they have addressed all the design criticisms made about the current Vectra. The GTC features an aggressive front end with large vertical aluminum intakes that intersect the headlamps. These design elements are mimicked on the rear. The sides are dramatically sculptured, as is the back end.
The interior of the GTC concept also represents a new chapter in Opel's brand identity, Nesbitt says. The interior shapes and surfaces, like the exterior, are sculpted. And the GTC goes sporty with red accents.
The GTC introduces a clever rear-seat configuration that Opel calls Flex4. The backs of both rear seats can be docked separately to the front seats via a power remote control. Once the seats are pushed far forward, there's a spacious, flat load floor for luggage and cargo.
The Opel GTC concept hints at the next Opel Vectra, which will become the basis for not only the next-generation Saturn Aura but also the next-generation Chevy Malibu. Bob Lutz, vice chairman of General Motors, tells us that the 2008 Malibu, unveiled at the Detroit show, will be short-lived before it is replaced with the new architecture. The next-generation Malibu will be sold globally, though it might not be called the Malibu in markets outside the U.S.
What's Edmunds' take?
Opel's fortunes are on the comeback under the leadership of ex-BMW executive Carl-Peter Forster, now president of GM Europe, and the GTC reflects his sensibilities. Can you imagine this car as a Saturn? — Michelle Krebs, Senior Editor, Industry
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