Opel Ampera preview

Opel has released a teaser sketch of its new five-door extended-range electric car ahead of its public debut at the Geneva Auto Show in March.

Based on the Voltec powertrain and chassis architecture of Chevrolet's Volt, the Ampera promises to surpass that car in terms of style by some margin. The body appears to be nearly identical between the A- and C-pillars, but the deformed horseshoe-shaped headlamp design and two-bar grille come straight from the 2007 Flextreme concept, as do the car's tree-branch alloy wheels. Sadly, the Ampera prototype will feature a conventional rear hatch rather than the Flextreme's novel two-piece gullwing design.

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Opel Flextreme concept

Opel's Flextreme concept continues the design language introduced by last year's GTC coupe concept car, only this time it's a plug-in electric vehicle built on GM's E-Flex architecture

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Opel Flextreme - Frankfurt 2007
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Opel Agila

GM Design Europe has given the Agila small MPV a new lease on life. The second-generation Agila, which shares its platform with the Suzuki Wagon R+, has been significantly redesigned and features softer styling cues than its angular forebear.

The overall design bears a distinct similarity to the recently revealed Suzuki Splash, though the headlamps, fog lights and tail lamp designs have been altered to differentiate the GM model. The Agila also sports a rear window that dips down in the center instead of cutting straight across the tailgate. It is however, nearly identical in its exterior dimensions: measuring 3.74 meters long, 1.68 meters wide and 1.59 meters high.

Scheduled to be unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September, the five-door Agila will be marketed under the Opel nameplate in Europe and as a Vauxhall (pictured) in the UK.

Source: cardesignnews

Opel Corsa 5-door

Following the recent announcement of the new three-door Corsa comes its five-door sibling. While the three-door concentrates on sportiness, the five-door is more practical and features FlexFix, a new seat folding system following the method introduced on the Opel Trixx concept from 2004. The ?DualFloor? arrangement lets luggage be horizontally divided in the trunk, whose volume can extend to 1100 litres. A new interior color scheme means customers can also choose between red and blue trim, while piano lacquer is available as an option.

Outside, surface changes are most noticeable at the rear, haunches doing without the extended shoulder treatment of the three-door. The window-line is also less arched, the two models differentiated in the same manner as the larger Astra. Length increases by 183mm to 3999mm overall, while width and height grow by 61mm and 52mm respectively. Both models will make their debut at the British Motor Show in London next month.

Source: cardesignnews

Opel Meriva concept

This is the clearest view yet of Opel/Vauxhall's new Meriva concept, set to be unveiled at next week's Geneva Auto Show. Heralded as the next level of monocab flexibility, the concept features rear-hinged rear 'FlexDoors' on both sides of the car.

The concept's design is distinguished by a distinctive window line, arched roof, wide track and sculpted body, which is said to give a good indication of what is to be expected from future Opel/Vauxhall production monocabs. While the front doors are conventionally designed with front hinges, the rear doors swing open towards the back of the car. But the front and rear doors can open independently of each other unlike rear-hinged rear doors already on the market.

"The Meriva Concept clearly illustrates how our new Opel/Vauxhall design language can be adapted to create bold, fresh design solutions for the monocab segment," says Mark Adams, Vice President of Design, General Motors Europe. The window line just behind the B-pillars, is claimed to provide better a better view for rear passengers while also enabling designers to create a dynamic silhouette. The body boasts the distinctive ‘blade' bodyside form, which was a design element of the GTC Coupé and Flextreme, while the U-shaped windshield stretches up and back over the rear passengers' heads.

Stay tuned for an analysis of the Meriva concept's design - complete with our own unique photos - in our forthcoming Geneva Auto Show Highlights.

Source: cardesignnews

Opel Insignia

After months of teaser photos, GM's Opel division has finally taken the wraps off its new Insignia sedan. Featuring a flowing design demarcated by a coupé-like roofline, the body is accented by a distinctive 'blade' feature line that runs from behind the front wheel along the side of the car, emphasizing its taut, rakish lines.

"We've re-defined our design vocabulary," says Mark Adams, Vice President Design, GM Europe. "The Insignia is muscular, but lithe and curvaceous. Our aim was to develop a confident look which reinforced the car's superb driving dynamics, but also one that made it clear that this was a premium product."

The exterior design language spreads into the cabin, which emphasizes luxury and quality. The dashboard's top-pad wraps around from the instrument panel to the door, creating a unique wing-shape.

Have a look at the new Insignia out on the road (in the video link to the left) and stay tuned for a design review of the car, coming to your screens soon.

source: cardesignnews