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Opel's hot GT concept: No door handles, side-mirrors?

  • World debut: 86th Geneva Motor Show
  • Breathtaking and puristic design
  • Tradition of Opel GT, Monza Concept
  • True sports car

Russelsheim - The Opel GT Concept will make its world premiere at the 2016 Geneva auto show.

Opel says the mid-engine and rear-wheel drive sports car is a descendant of the GT and Monza Concept. It takes Opel’s sculptural design philosophy to the next level - the the GT Concept has no door handles or exterior side-mirrors.

Mid-engine, turbocharged, rear-wheel drive

The stretched bonnet reveals the engine concept of the GT Concept - Just like the first Opel GT and US sports car icon Corvette also made by GM, the new concept is mid-engined, says the automaker.

WATCH: Opel hints at new GT Concept

The GT Concept is powered by a three-cylinder 1.0-litre  turbocharged unit based on the same engine powering the Adam, Corsa and Astra. It's capable of 107kW/205Nm and is mated to a sequential six-speed transmission, operated by paddle-shifts on the steering wheel. Weighing 1000kg, it accelerates to 100km/h in less than eight seconds and has a claimed top speed of 215km/h.

Design

Mark Adams, Opel Europe's vice-president of design, said: "We created the GT Concept to capture the bold, emotional spirit of the Opel brand. It is dramatic, sculptural and full of innovations, which is our great tradition that we intend to continue.

"Back in 1965, Opel developed the Experimental GT, a thoroughly modern vehicle that also boasted a pure sculptural shape. It’s certainly difficult to reinvent an icon but just as the Experimental GT was avant-garde back then, so too is this GT Concept today – absolutely pure, minimalistic, yet bold and uncompromising."

The Opel GT Concept has large doors with integrated side-windows. The automaker says Both driver and front passenger gain access via electric doors, operated by a button along the roof.

Two cameras mounted behind the wheel arches ensure a safe overview while driving in the city. The cameras transmit images to two monitors on the left and right-hand side of the cockpit, eliminating the need for side-mirrors.

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