GENEVA SHOW: Style and practicality top Opel/Vauxhall agenda
Author: headlineauto | 2 March 2010
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Flextreme is a concept only; borrows Volt/Ampera range extender technology |
The Flextreme concept car General Motors Europe unveiled in Geneva today is the strongest and clearest indication to date of the company's intentions to be a manufacturer of highly stylish but practical cars which people will be proud to buy, according to design head Mark Adams.
Speaking soon after GM announced it was tripling its investment and committing EUR1.9bn for the GME viability plan, Adams said he wanted to show that electric vehicles did not have to be boring but could, with the technology the automaker had developed, be both environmentally friendly and enjoyably dynamic.
Flextreme can run purely on its battery for about 30 miles (50km) or, with a small internal combustion engine replenishing the battery, has a range of 300 miles.
"Flextreme will never go into production on its own but shows you do not have to use the EV technology in a conventional car but have something sporting.
"We have styling elements on Flextreme which you will see in future Vauxhall and Opel models very soon, such as the new face.
"It gives a glimpse over the horizon of what is coming from GM in terms of design expressions. A stylish car is a compromise and with the Flextreme we wanted to show how practical a design could be as well.
"We are really making an aspirational car which shows electric vehicles aren't just smooth rounded shapes which can be boring, but can be a car which makes people proud to own and that the company is moving forward."
Adams heads up a team of 40 front line designers at Russelheim but can call on a further 260 within GME in Germany.
Sectors: Electric drive, Technology/R&D, Vehicle manufacturers, Vehicle manufacturing
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