Autoblog

Click above for more shots of the Opel Flextreme concept

When the Volt concept was first unveiled, GM was not sure how to badge European versions of the E-Flex cars. Apparently, the decision has been made and the first Euro-bound EV's from GM will be badged as Opels, with a Vauxhall version coming shortly thereafter. All three models of the E-Flex chassis will be built in Detroit atop the next-gen Delta compact car platform which was designed to carry a large lithium ion battery pack along with a range-extending engine. Though the Europeans would likely favor a diesel powerplant, it seems that the first-generation of all three E-Flex vehicles will use a gasoline-powered engine for on-the-fly battery recharging.

It goes without saying that the Volt and its Euro-clones will be the most expensive vehicles built on the Delta platform, with U.S. pricing estimated to be at least $40 grand. Across the pond, the Opel and Vauxhall E-Flex's will be saddled with at least a 10,000 euro premium. The price of gasoline, which is significantly higher in Europe than in the States, along with any government assistance for purchasers of the EVs, will determine how quickly customers will recoup that added investment.


[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]

click above image to view high-res gallery of the Opel Flextreme Concept

For those unfamiliar with the suicide-style rear door, it's basically a car door with the hinges located closer to the rear of the car, usually on the C-pillar. The design isn't new, but it recently had a renaissance with cars like the Mazda RX-8 and Rolls-Royce Phantom adopting the unique style.

The rear opening doors will soon be featured on some General Motors products, as revealed by its Vice Chairman Bob Lutz on his blog. GM recently previewed its design, dubbed FlexDoor, on its new Opel Flextreme at the Frankfurt Motor Show this week. Engineers were able to do-away with the center B-pillar, which means opening both doors on a single side of the car leaves one giant opening the size of two doors. This was important because designers learned from focus groups that people, especially those who use child-seats, wanted easier access to the rear compartment.

The Flextreme itself is only a concept and Lutz was coy about when we might see them on a production car, so we suggest you don't hold your breath.

[GM Fastlane Blog via The GM Source]

Click to enlarge the Opel Flextreme E-Flex concept

We all got a premature look at the Opel's rendition of the GM's E-Flex platform over the weekend, but now we can reveal more details about the new Opel Flextreme concept. The third car uses a 1.3L common rail diesel engine as its range extender. Unlike the four door coupe/sedan styling of the Volt, this one has a mono-box layout with side-opening gullwing-style hatches over the rear cargo area.

The Flextreme has picked up styling cues from GTC concept coupe that debuted last March in Geneva, including the scalloped door panels and rear quarter shoulders. Aside from the styling, another unique feature of the Flextreme is the special cargo hold in the back that comes loaded with two Segway scooters. To ensure that the Segways are always ready to go, the compartment is equipped with charging points for the scooters.

General Motors has now done computer simulations of E-Flex running the European test cycle (ECE R101) that's used to determine fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions. The Flextreme scored a CO2 emissions rating of 40g/km which puts it at less than half of the best current production car the Smart ForTwo CDi which scores 88g/km. For more on the Flextreme differences from the Volt and the current state of development, check out AutoblogGreen.

[Sources: General Motors, AutoblogGreen]

Click image for photo gallery

The Opel Flextreme concept is GM's European answer to the Chevy Volt, and it's destined to be one of the stars of this year's very green-tinged Frankfurt Motor Show. The vehicle's name was leaked in a Financial Times article published on August 31, and this evening, several photos and more information about the concept were published online. We happily share what's available so far.

The Flextreme sports a Euro-friendly hatchback/crossover-style body as opposed to Volt's US-targeted sedan duds, which allows for an area in which a pair Segways can be stored and charged by the car's onboard electrical system. It's also got a glass panoramic roof, rear suicide doors, and rearview cameras in lieu of traditional mirrors.

Under the skin, the Flextreme and Volt are largely the same save for the engine supplying power to the car's onboard generator. The Flextreme utilizes a 1.3-liter Ecotec turbodiesel instead of the 1-liter 3-cylinder turbo E85/flex-fuel unit featured in the Volt. A lithium-ion battery pack provides the juice for the car's front-mounted electric motor. Battery-only range on a full charge is 40 miles, and when battery power has been exhausted, the diesel will kick in to start replenishing it. It's a PHEV, so it can also be charged by being plugged into an electrical outlet.

The gang headed to Germany will bring us all plenty of live shots and first-person coverage next week.

[Sources: Carscoop, km77, Jalopnik]