New Opel GT: Exciting Design, Classic Sports-Car

[Variance]

New Opel GT: Exciting Design, Classic Sports-Car Layout

260 hp from two liters: the most powerful production engine in the ECOTEC family

Geneva. Opel revives the GT legend with an all-new stunning two-seat sports car. The new GT’s exciting, sharply-cut lines and classic rear-wheel drive echo the successful concept of the original (1968 – 1973). At the same time, the new GT reinterprets the icon as a powerful roadster with a potent four-cylinder, direct injection gasoline turbo engine. The Opel GT makes its world premiere at the 2006 Geneva Motor Show (March 2 – 12), start of sales is scheduled for spring 2007.

“The GT is a powerful addition to our range of attractive niche products, and thereby further enhances the appeal of the Opel brand”, says Carl-Peter Forster, President of GM Europe. “The Tigra, the Astra TwinTop, and the new GT mean that we will have three very different models, all of which deliver top-down driving excitement.”

The new Opel GT is fun to drive thanks to its front engine and rear-wheel drive, which together ensure a balanced weight distribution, the long wheelbase (2415 mm) and its 260-hp 2.0-liter ECOTEC turbo engine with gasoline direct injection. This accelerates the new GT from zero to 100 km/h in less than six seconds, and enables a maximum speed of over 230 km/h.

Another fun factor is the fabric roof, which folds down to provide open-air enjoyment denied to the owners of the first GT. The roof disappears completely beneath a cover, further underlining the GT’s sporty silhouette with short overhangs and widely spaced 18-inch wheels.

The development of the new Opel GT is an excellent example of transcontinental collaboration within GM. The design was inspired by the VX Lightning concept car, which was conceived by the GM Advanced Design Studio in Birmingham, England in May 2003 for the 100th anniversary of the Vauxhall brand. The new GT will be built in Wilmington/Delaware, in the USA, where its sister models, the Pontiac Solstice and the Saturn Sky, are also produced.

Athletic, with short body overhangs: the eye-catching design

A glance at the new Opel GT makes clear that there’s pure sport under the skin; sharp, taut lines and flowing surfaces combine to give it true dynamic presence. The front view is dominated by the pronounced curve of the fenders and the bold chrome strip with lightning-flash logo. The long, front-hinged engine hood carries the familiar Opel crease.

Another signal of sportiness is sounded off by the GT’s proportions (length/width/height: 4091/1813/1274 mm) with short overhangs and 18-inch wheels that are pushed to the corners of the body. When opened, the soft top is completely concealed under a cover, thus emphasizing the GT’s roadster character. Other attractive styling details are the projection-type low beam and halogen reflector-type high beam headlamps.

The ergonomic cockpit features chrome-ringed dials for speed, rpm and fuel. Technical grains, piano black and chrome finishes combine with optionally available leather seats to emphasize high value and precision. Jewel-style controls for lights and ventilation are further evidence of the GT designers’ careful attention to detail.

Lively response and sports-car performance: the direct-injection turbo engine

The heart of the new Opel GT is the most powerful production engine in the ECOTEC family. The turbocharged unit was jointly developed by GM Powertrain engineers in the USA and Europe and is related to the ECOTEC 2.2-liter direct fuel injection engine available in the Vectra and Signum. From a displacement of two-liters, it develops a power output of 191 kW/ 260 hp and a maximum torque of 350 Nm, available from 2500 rpm.

Direct injection technology helps the ECOTEC engine produce more power while maintaining the lower fuel consumption level of a small displacement engine with conventional fuel injection.

The 2.0-liter turbocharged ECOTEC engine features variable valve timing, a dual-scroll turbocharger and a charge-air intercooler. This type of turbocharger, similar to the one already introduced in the Vectra and Signum V6, improves engine response, which also benefits from variable camshaft phasing. The result is ample torque even at low engine speeds.

Highlights of the new ECOTEC 2.0-liter turbo engine include:

Forged steel crankshaft

Forged steel connecting rods

Cast aluminum oil-galley pistons

Jet-spray piston cooling

Two counter-rotating balance shafts

Dual-scroll turbocharger

9.2:1 compression ratio

Aluminum cylinder head with sodium-cooled exhaust valves

High-pressure engine-driven fuel pump

Variable pressure fuel rail

Basic technical data*: New Opel GT 

 

Body
  
 
Length/ width/ height
 4091/ 1813 / 1274 mm
 
Wheelbase
 2415 mm
 
Unloaded weight
 1320 kg
 
Engine/ powertrain
  
 
Engine/installed position
 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder/at front, longitudinal
 
Displacement
 1998 cm3
 
Bore/ stroke
 86/86 mm
 
Compression ratio
 9.2:1
 
Valve gear
 Double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder
 
Max. power output
 191 kW/ 260 hp at 5300 rpm
 
Max. torque
 350 Nm at 2500 - 5300 rpm
 
Acceleration 0 – 100 km/h
 Under 6 seconds
 
Top speed
 Over 230 km/h
 
Fuel supply
 Direct fuel injection, with variable high-pressure distributor rail and electronic throttle operation
 
Driveline
 Rear-wheel drive
 
Gearbox
 5-speed manual-shift
 

*Provisional figures

Link: http://media.gm.com/servlet/GatewayServlet...=81&docid=23664

Edited February 28, 2006 by CSpec

[CSpec]

I added pictures to the original post. It looks fabulous, though they seemed to have messed with the gauges.

[Northstar]

It looks great. That's probably exactly what the SKY RL will have.

The guages are probably changed because they need more room for KM/H than MPH.

[PurdueGuy]

mmmmm... dual exhaust... turbo... mmmm...

[Stubbles]

I love that black on red!! Reminds me of my Black over Red Cobalt SS!

[Cadillacfan]

Love the two tone colors.

[rueben44]

Yea that is a hot one that is a no excuse car except for one thing the trunk space. Other wise no other roadster for under $40K can touch it.

[Croc]

OK Don't EU regs require rear fog lamps? Where are they?

[Flybrian]

OK Don't EU regs require rear fog lamps?  Where are they?

Um...seriously?

[Croc]

Seriously? Rear fog lamps.

[the_yellow_dart]

I think the rear fog is in the lower bumper there, between the exhausts.

[PurdueGuy]

I think the rear fog is in the lower bumper there, between the exhausts.

That's the backup light. Suppose it might do double-duty.

[Croc]

...those are reverse lamps. Rear fogs are red.

[jbartley]

Seriously? Rear fog lamps.

SAAB's have them too!

[PONTIAC06]

I read somewhere that in alot of Euro cars, the driver's side has an intergrated light that just lights up brighter when the rear fogs are on...so it could be that...kinda looks like someone in front of you is riding the the break...but only on the driver's side

[Cadavillac]

I read somewhere that in alot of Euro cars, the driver's side has an intergrated light that just lights up brighter when the rear fogs are on...so it could be that...kinda looks like someone in front of you is riding the the break...but only on the driver's side

I've seen a lot of Mercedes C230s (the last square generation) with a rear fog light like you describe. Volvo S70s, too.

[ZL-1]

No rear foglights, no amber turn signals in the back, no turn signals on the sides. That's what appears to be missing to make it comply with EU regs.

[SilvaChris1]

Side signals appear to be in the mirror housing.

[CSpec]

Here are some pics of the reveal:

[ToniCipriani]

Somehow in that Crimson Red color, it reminds me of an XLR.

Call me crazy.

[ZL-1]

Side signals appear to be in the mirror housing.

I thought that thing on the mirror was a light reflex.

me =

I think the tailights will be much like the Astra GTC: on the red bottom half you'll have the parking, brake and fog lights, and the dark smoked upper half will have the turn signals.

Edited March 1, 2006 by ZL-1

[nikivee]

Nice Saturn Sky.

[Shantanu]

Man if GM can give that kind of attention to detail for interior styling in such a low volume product like this, why don't they do the same for something like the Malibu?