GM builds a Miata fighter for the future (picture)
The Opel GT Concept proves that there is a space in the future for small, lightweight sports coupes. Not only is it a throwback to the Experimental GT concept of old, it's also perfectly poised to do battle with today's Mazda MX-5 Miata. Here's to hoping!
The Opel GT Concept is a stunning small coupe that will make its debut at the Geneva International Motor Show.
The concept sports rear-wheel drive and a front-mid-engine layout. That means the engine sits in front of the driver, but behind the front axle, kind of like the Chevrolet Corvette.
The most striking feature of the Opel GT Concept is its red character line, which sweeps from fore to aft along the window and the top of the hood.
There are several design elements in this new concept that harken back to the Opel GT of old, including its long hood.
Sadly, the retracting headlights from the old Opel GT aren't making an appearance here. Silly crash regulations.
This car is so gorgeous, it makes a grown man with a skateboard look appealing.
"This coupe impressively demonstrates the continuous development of our Design philosophy -- 'Sculptural Artistry meets German precision'," said Mark Adams, VP of Opel's European design arm.
The doors actually stretch all the way to the wheel arches on this concept.
In lieu of door mirrors, two side-mounted cameras project images to monitors on either side of the cockpit.
The red front tire pays homage to the Opel Motoclub 500 motorbike from 1928.
Another staple of the old Opel GT making its way to this new concept is its dual-tailpipe design.
The car is said to be built for urban environments, meaning it's not some Brobdingnagian S-Class Coupe fighter.
The concept is powered by a turbocharged, 1.0-liter three-cylinder engine. It puts out 145 horsepower, which puts it close to Mazda's MX-5 Miata.
Power makes its way to the rear axle by way of a six-speed sequential transmission -- sorry, manual fans.
Opel also posits that the concept weighs less than 2,200 pounds, making this one seriously lightweight coupe.
The Opel GT Concept's front glass extends upward, transitioning seamlessly into a panoramic glass roof.
And here's a model, for some reason!
The Opel GT Concept is partially a throwback to the car seen here, the Opel Experimental GT. It was created just one year after Opel opened its first design studio in 1965, the only European automaker to do so at that point.