Though it won’t comment officially on forward model plans, GM Europe’s world launch of the GTC ‘concept’ at Geneva this week suggests a successor to the Calibra or more recent Astra coupe is all but ready for the assembly line – with a clever new twist on seating.
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The ‘Flex4 system’ allows the backs of both rear seats to be docked separately to the front seats by remote control, creating a spacious three or two-seater with flat load floor and up to 1020 litres of luggage compartment capacity. As in other GME models, most notably the Flex 7-equipped Zafira minivan, seats do not have to be removed or installed to achieve the changes in interior layout.
The official spin on the car’s production future: “[The concept] gives an insight into how dynamic and refreshing Vauxhall and Opel’s new design language will look in the future.”
Cue Alain Visser, executive director, European marketing: “This concept car demonstrates the new interpretation of the brands [and] embodies the confident, emotional direction we’re taking. Its exciting lines combined with its high driving dynamics and interior flexibility reflect what the brand trademark characteristics will be in the future.”
And Hans Demant, engineering head of General Motors Europe also gets probably the most telling remark in the launch statement: “You have seen a number of our recent concept cars become reality. Concepts like the GTC Genève and Antara GTC or the Flex-Fix rear carrier system from the TRIXX previewed their production variants. This car is a confident ambassador for the brand and could play a similar role for us, previewing the engineering and design cues of our next-generation of Vauxhall and Opel products.”
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By GlobalDataThe four-seat coupé displayed in Switzerland is powered by a 300PS, 2.8-litre V6 turbo petrol engine with ‘intelligent’, electronically-controlled four-wheel drive system.
GME said the GTC Concept reveals the next-generation of its styling much as the VX220 roadster did in 1999, or the GTC Genève Concept did in 2003.
