By Edward Niedermeyer
May 8, 2008 - 1,598 views
GM is counting its unhatched Volt chickens while its battery system is still laying an egg by announcing a line of Volt-based Opel EVs which will hit Europe's roads in 2012… provided the Volt is actually ready by 2010. Auto Motor und Sport reports that the Volt's European launch should take place in 2011. The Opel EV will arrive a year later, using the same E-Flex drivetrain. There will be two Opel models: a compact based on the Flexstream concept (pictured) shown at last year's Frankfurt Auto Show and a considerably larger sedan. Both vehicles will share the Volt's 40-mile EV range, as well as the small range-extending gas motor. Interestingly, GM also showed a Saturn version of the Opel Flexstream in Detroit, raising the possibility of a stateside bow for the badge-engineered Volt. Of course, if the all-important lithium ion battery development runs into problems, GM will be more than happy just to get a Volt out. Meanwhile, this announcement proves just how much is riding on GM's "moon shot."
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POWERED
May 8th, 2008 at 2:52 pm
That’s one European car they canleave in Europe. UUUUgly.
May 8th, 2008 at 3:47 pm
I disagree, I find the front unique and with a futuristic flare that suits the sci-fi technology.
May 8th, 2008 at 3:54 pm
BlueEr03, Yes, but don’t look at the butt… even by sci-fi tech standards, it’s pretty bad. And picture 4 of 12 (vier von zwolf) shows off the integrated Segway… yes, that concept is back.
May 8th, 2008 at 4:02 pm
The rest of the car looks okay, but the rear, oh my…
http://images.auto-motor-und-sport.de/hps/img/hxmedia/mpsams/2007/09/37EzlsldkpdIXo_450×300.jpg
May 8th, 2008 at 5:42 pm
That’s one European car they canleave in Europe. UUUUgly.
Change the brand to “Lexus’ and see if your response is different. Doesn’t look any more out there than a Mitsu or Suby.
May 8th, 2008 at 5:51 pm
gawdodirt :
May 8th, 2008 at 5:42 pm
That’s one European car they canleave in Europe. UUUUgly.
Change the brand to “Lexus’ and see if your response is different. Doesn’t look any more out there than a Mitsu or Suby.
Uh… no. I tried imagining it as some other brand and the best I could come up with is possibly some Toyota hybrid design, Tata (ala Nano), or VW (ala the Up!). I can excuse ugly when it is combined with super cheap, as in it’s transportation not art; but not when it will likely be competing with typical compacts and sub-compacts. I’m sorry, but the front is too over the top for me, but then I’m too old to have been a fan of Pokemon.
May 8th, 2008 at 7:28 pm
For some reason I just can’t take anything GM says about product development seriously. Fool me once, etc. etc.