Opel GTC Concept Car: Red Light Flash

2023 Author: Eric Donovan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-11-27 05:39

Opel designers have already been in the field with the Antara and in the fresh air with the GT. Now it's time to hit the slopes with the GTC. More confidently than ever, the Rüsselsheim-based company is showing an outlook on the next Vectra generation.

By Sebastian Viehmann

Quiz question: Who said the following sentence at the Geneva Motor Show? - «Dear Sir or Madam, This is our new Opel Concept Car. It's small, practical, very inconspicuous and particularly environmentally friendly. The answer: nobody. And probably nobody will either. Because, like so many concept cars, the Opel GTC should not appeal to the head, but rather to the gut.

Muscular and full of energy

Bursting with strength, he ducked down on the turntable when it was unveiled in the Opel Lounge on Lake Geneva, bathed in an almost erotic light by countless red headlights. The GTC presented itself willingly from all sides, as if it wanted to be undressed by the gaze of the premiere guests. Its muscular, aggressively designed front left no doubt that the next 4.8 meters of car was full of energy.

The strength of the 20-inch rims barely seemed to fit into the wide wheel arches. A 300 hp V6 engine spread out under the hood. The mighty aluminum air inlets on the radiator grille worked in the red light, as if they wanted to suck up small cars and spit them out through the huge, trapezoidal exhaust pipes. It was one of those moments when you have to realize: With common sense and restraint, you might be able to sell a car - but not a brand.

Similarities to Antara and GT

In some corners, the silky gray painted GTC (Gran Turismo Coupé) has similarities to the Opel Antara and GT. Unmistakable in Opel's new design language are the “crease” on the bonnet and the polished aluminum clasp on the radiator grille. At second glance it is noticeable that the lightning bolt logo now stands out more clearly thanks to a newly designed border.

Front and rear lights use LED technology. When it comes to the rims, Opel is picking up on a design trend that was recently seen at the Essen Motor Show: shiny black anodized rim stars contrast nicely with the polished silver outer edges. The rear spoiler is integrated into the body. Overall, the GTC turned out to be extremely streamlined - a drag coefficient of 0.25 is impressive even in the sports car world.

Driving feeling like with rear-wheel drive

The drive is more conventional. A 2.8-liter V6 engine with 300 hp should provide 400 Newton meters of torque for full propulsion. According to Opel, the GTC accelerates from 0 to 100 km / h in around six seconds. At 250 km / h it is limited. The GTC brings its power to the road via all four wheels: An electronically controlled torque transmission unit divides the power continuously between the front and rear axles.

“The lightning-fast control makes it possible - for example when accelerating strongly - to apply more power to the rear axle before slip can even occur. This creates a driving experience similar to that of a sporty rear-wheel drive,”promises Opel. An electronic limited slip differential on the rear axle should provide additional stability and optimal traction distribution on the rear wheels.

Remote-controlled rear seats

When it comes to the interior, the Rüsselsheim-based company uses “intelligent packaging”. This means that you want to get the maximum amount of space for the passengers in spite of the not too lush dimensions of the GTC. The “Flex4” system is a world first: the backrests of the two rear seats can be remotely docked to the front seats at the touch of a button, creating a three- or two-seater with a level loading area. You don't have to remove the seats for this.

A similar principle can also be seen at Mazda - in the “Hakaze” concept car. However, the seats there are only attached to the center console. In the case of the Opel, the luggage compartment cover is automatically pulled over the seat surfaces that remain in the floor. This creates a three- or two-seater with a level loading area of up to 1.80 meters in length, and the luggage compartment volume increases from 500 to 1,020 liters.