Opel Flextreme concept cars

Set directly under the windshield, the largepanoramic display (size: 1.20 m x 0.10 m) in the interior is especiallyeye-catching. The display fields are configurable. They can show acomplete all-around view of the cars surroundings, for example, asinstead of exterior mirrors the Flextreme has two side cameras, onefront-facing and one rear-view camera. Alternatively the displays canalso show information about the car, radio, phone, etc.

Innovative lightweight construction is used for theseats which are anchored to the cars floor by a mono track rather thanthe usual two, creating more foot space in the rear. The seats have alight and elegant look thanks to refined upholstery, with some parts infabric/mesh and corners made of especially soft material. The steeringwheel hub also houses a high-tech feature: a full-size driver airbagthat is packaged with a special vacuum technique that reduces itsoverall volume to the minimum.

Honeycomb structures, which are characterized by lowweight and high rigidity, are used extensively in the Flextremesinterior. This functional, geometric structure can be found in theinstrument panels lower portion, cabin floor, cargo floor and abovethe center tunnel where the lithium-ion batteries are located.

Interior: Futuristic and top technology

Another key Flextreme innovation is the trademarkedFlexDoors driver and passenger doors: while the front doors open inthe conventional manner, the rear doors are rear-hinged. And as thereis no center roof pillar , opening both doors on one sidecreates a large opening for easy entry. The large side opening makes itmuch easier for parents to secure children in seats in the rear than isthe case with conventional doors.

In keeping with the vehicles extraordinaryfeatures, access to the FlexLoad luggage compartment is through twobutterfly rear tailgate doors that individually swing open upwardsalong the central axis of the vehicle. The advantage is that theFlextremes trunk is accessible from the side when parked tightlyagainst a wall or another vehicle.

Doors: Unconventional and practical

Just like all the other windows and a large part ofthe roof, the windshield is made of especially light polycarbonate. TheFlextremes panoramic windshield provides a light and spacious interiorambience and stretches over most of the roof, which is reinforced by aspine-like composite structure that extends all the way to the rearfloor.

Like the wheel design, the large boomerang-likecurved front light units are visually deceptive. The designers continuea theme which began with the GTC Concept that debuted at the GenevaMotor Show, and take it to a new level. The vertically oriented frontlights slice up the front end in an unusual manner. The boomerangshaped high tech LED headlamp unit houses lightweight crossbeam, foglamps and air intake for brake cooling which are particularly small incomparison to current trends. The optical illusion continues with thetail lights: at first glance, the concept car appears to have none. Thecurved rear lights are completely integrated into the tailgates andhidden beneath glass.

A look at the front of the car quickly reveals thatthe front grill and rims are covered by lightweight transparent trim,which is made from polycarbonate to improve aerodynamics whilemaintaining visual aesthetics. The same is true for the special lightalloy wheels. Their look remains unchanged, yet disruptive airturbulence is avoided.

The bottom edge of the windshield has been pulledfar forward, so the hood with its characteristic crease is very short.The integrated power socket in the cowl panel allows the car to becharged at any mains supply.

The Flextreme bodys key characteristics highlightthe new elements of Opel design language: more sculpted surfacingmolding, clear style elements such as narrow,
boomerang-shapedlights and sloping swage line in the side graphics. The 4796 mm long Flextreme was also designed following the motto of technologicalefficiency: vehicle weight and aerodynamics are optimized by usingadvanced materials and simulation technology. The result is a widerange of innovative solutions.

Exterior design: Dynamic design language in compact monocab form

The E-Flex strategy is based on combining variousdrivetrain systems in the same vehicle architecture, depending on whatenergy source is readily available in the drivers area. The concepthas already been presented in two further versions: at the DetroitMotor Show in January 2007, it debuted with a 1.0-liter, three-cylinderturbo gasoline engine designed for operation with gasoline or E85 (amixture of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline). And at theShanghai Motor Show in April 2007, GM presented the electric conceptcar with hydrogen fuel cell propulsion.

Plug-in full capacity after three hours of charging at 220 volts

The Flextremes drivetrain is a good indication ofwhat low-emission mobility could look like in the mid-term. It is basedon General Motors electric vehicle architecture E-Flex and is alwayselectrically powered. The energy source is a lithium-ion battery, andadditional energy comes from a 1.3-liter CDTI engine as needed. Thisengine is not connected to the wheels; it is only on board to chargethe batteries when they are empty and no plug-in facility is available,thereby extending the operating range. The concept cars diesel enginefeatures latest technology that helps to further reduce exhaust andnoise emissions. The cylinders pressure-based closed loop technologyis used to control the combustion process. Based on the currentEuropean test cycle for plug-in vehicles, the Flextreme is expected toemit less than 40 g of C02 per km.(according to European test procedureECE R101 for range extender vehicles).

Propulsion: Low-emission mobility with E-Flex technology

Plug-in Electric Vehicle Features 55 Km of Emissions Free Range
E-Flex architecture with diesel engine extends driving range
Dynamic, sporty, compact electro-monocab concept car
FlexDoors and FlexLoad New for doors, tailgate and luggage solutions and an extra mobility option

Opel Flextreme concept car, which makes its premiere at the International Motor Show (IAA)