Geneva Leak: Opel Gran Turismo Coupe Concept
Click image for hi-res photo gallery
We can only hope this Opel coupe comes to the US as the Saturn Whoop-Ass, SAAB Sonnet, heck, we'd even let them call it the Allante II. For now, it's known as the Opel Gran Turismo Coupe concept. Whatever it gets called is fine with us. It's sure handsome, and if scuttlebutt is true, it can back up the fast profile with real performance. The coupe is rumored to have a 300 hp turbocharged V6 lurking under the cleanly-drawn sheetmetal. That motive force is distributed to all four wheels, and the underpinnings are donated from the next-generation Vectra. Of course the concept is equipped like the full-boat, optioned up model would be (and then some); so it has all the goodies like a hard-disk based infotainment system, parking assistance, and undoubtedly more. We'll get to see this car up close and personal at the Geneva show, which is so close now that we're like 8 year olds on Christmas Eve. For now, we'll have to be satisfied to gaze longingly at these leaked photos that turned up on Spanish website km77.
[Source: km77 via Motor Authority]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
jgp 12:46AM (3/03/2007)
Man, this looks _sweet_...
I guess this could be considered the return of the Calibra.
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chris 12:49AM (3/03/2007)
Looks nice, not too sure about those things coming down from the headlights though. Looks a little Skyline/G35 Coupe-ish in that main picture from the A-pillar back. Not that that's a bad thing.
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NoNameDenton 12:50AM (3/03/2007)
I wonder what Saturn this will come to the States as (I doubt it will be as the Saab Sonnet as I have heard that car is going to be like the Solstice/Sky/Opel GT, but with different engines and maybe awd). This would be great in Red Line form and is a great looking Opel and would be a good Saturn coupe version of the Aura maybe.
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JC3 1:07AM (3/03/2007)
All this great new product makes me think GM is a sleeping giant that has awoken.
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theo 1:06AM (3/03/2007)
Hmm. Not unattractive, but GM really needs to drop it's obsession with replicating the Infiniti G. First the Pontiac G6 coupe, and now this.
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3cubedminus3squared 1:10AM (3/03/2007)
Darn, I just sent y'all a news tip for this. I didn't translate though. It looks nice.
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Justin Broniszewski 1:17AM (3/03/2007)
Wow, this is one of the best concept's I've seen in a while! Those headlights are really different and really good looking in my opinion. The rear looks great as well. Now, bring it over here so I can buy one! This would make a nice new Saturn model, maybe even call it the Calibra as well.
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NoNameDenton 1:19AM (3/03/2007)
I would not call it Calibra, because it sounds to close to Caliber, that horrible Dodge hatchback car thing
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Mopar2ya 1:45AM (3/03/2007)
OMG!!! This car illustrates perfectly what GM can produce, but will they? If not, GM has clearly lost its mind!!! This car should have been built, produced, and imported to the states yesterday. I want one now!!! Where do I sign up?
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mk 2:13AM (3/03/2007)
If this is honest, full time, honest-to-goodness AWD, and has some power...
I will definitely consider it.
And Subaru had better sit up and take notice. This is the AWD coupe that they SHOULD have beaten to the punch.
If it is FWD with rear-wheel assist, then perhaps a little less enthused. symmetrical to rear biased, FTW.
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Michael B. 2:05AM (3/03/2007)
This would make a perfect halo car for Saturn. So what if it looks like an Infinity. Bring it in for around 25,000 (base) and Infinity will have a major migraine and Saturn will have more showroom traffic than they can handle! Well done!
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David 8:19PM (3/03/2007)
This car does not need to be a Saturn at all that brand is already well on its way with some interesting designs. This car should be called the "Buick Genesis", they should get Tiger Woods and Dwayne Wade to market it.
It would be a huge mistake to market this as a Saturn, Saturn's image is too soft, it just isn't cool enough, I don't want to go cruisin in my "Saturn", no this should be a Buick. Why you ask? Because it would be different, Buick has been out of vogue for so long you could actually be a trend setter, a cool Buick how good would that be...... This thing needs to be quick and get great mileage, these engineers need to find a way to deliver that to us. Plus Buick is big in China, they could build the cars there to make them cheaper for the US market. I would buy one as a Buick, not so much interest as a Saturn.
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BOB 3:57AM (3/03/2007)
GOOD LOOKING!! (assuming cleanup of that front end)
-- not sure starting with a front wheel drive transverse platform is the way to make a world beating sportster, but for a fun car, cool.
-- and can it be made economically without too much design compromise? That deck lid stamping looks expensive.
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Rodion 4:10AM (3/03/2007)
Question, is next generation Vectra RWD on Zeta?
Also I believe Saturn and Vauxhall need to be done away with and instead sell Opel worldwide as one strong, well established brand on par with VW, as (at least in US) an entry luxury brand. No it will not take away sales from Cadillac, two completely different consumer groups.
As for concept itself I am seeing Peugeot 407 Coupe, Toyota Solara in front, and a bit of G35 with dose of G6! haha
It's a relatively good looking concept, but I wouldn't put even 90% of this design on sale, they need to clean it up, and redo the front end.
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tiago do vale 6:07AM (3/03/2007)
I think it's a very nice car, with different detailing (I don't want another lame "good for everyone" car)... The only thing I think is not up to the good design of the front end is the vulgar (and japanese) C pillar, and the terribly underdesigned rear end.
I know you 'mericans have different tastes, but as the concept is gonna be shown in Geneva, I think it will not be as well received as it could be.
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Pouya 7:36AM (3/03/2007)
I like it. It looks like a Ford Iosis and Nissan Skyline GTR hybrid.
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SherbornSean 7:25AM (3/03/2007)
Quite attractive. Saturn could use an upscale coupe like this.
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Martin 7:37AM (3/03/2007)
The coupe probably won't make it into production. However it shows what to expect of the next Opel Vectra (the Vectra being a tad bit smaller than the Aura this means that the new Vectra could either be the successor to the Aura in a few years time or a sub-Aura shoe-in with the next Aura getting considerably bigger). Much of the desing language is already fully developed:
- The dashboard is production ready. No changes needed here, this is likely exactly what you will see in the next Vectra.
- The trunk is also very close to what we will see in mass production: A somewhat smaller diffusor (at least for the standard non-OPC/Redline variants) and more subtle exhast pipes and you're done.
- The C-pillar fits into Opel's new design language. The new Vectra will have to additional doors, so the proportions are different, but expect it to pay hommage to this concept.
- The front will see the most apparent changes: Expect the grille and the hood to be similar, but with different headlights and bumpers. After all, this is just a concept.
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pd 8:00AM (3/03/2007)
TURBO V-6 300 H.P. AWD,Just call it poor man's GTR!
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geo.stewart 8:27AM (3/03/2007)
to 13:
while I would agree one brand is easier than 3, in the US, the Saturn plate carries the connotation of a great dealer experience. Crappy cars, but a great dealer exp. GM is FINALLY delivering somw cars to match the dealer experience. It is hard to introduce a new name, or an old name (as Opel hasnt been sold in years so no one would put them on par with Caddy here).
The simple rebading of the Astra and Aura have been and will be successful. GM can get away with that since they are local badges on a universal car.
If Mulally would take notice of this over at Ford, we could end up with a Falcon instead of a 500 and a Mondeo instead of a Fusion, and a real Focus instead of something Europe had 10 yrs ago. Australia could have an Explorer Sport Trac instead of a Ranchero (but I dont think they want it). Anyway, who said we wanted the crap cars? I think Harley Earl and Lee Iaccoca were the last people in Detroit to care what people wanted in a car. Lutz seems to be doing a good job now, praise be.
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