The modern definition of an athletic two-seater finds its form in the new Opel GT. As a classic roadster, it has a powerful front-mounted engine, rear-wheel drive, a cockpit with sporty instruments and a tailor-made fabric roof. With a wide stance, sleek silhouette, long, front-hinged hood and short overhangs, the proportions are typical of this class. The Opel GT also brings new charm to this genre with its own unmistakable personality thanks to its exciting shape, which contrasts sharp edges with curved surfaces to create a dynamic look, and its configuration, which enables a refined driving experience, even on long journeys.

opel-gt

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: opel-gt

2007 Opel GT

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2007 Opel GT
  • Horsepower: 264@5300
  • Torque: 353@2500 - 5000
  • Transmission: 5-speed, manual
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array


The GT’s pricing is also attractive. For 30,675 euros (recommended retail price in Germany incl. VAT), customers get no less than 264 hp from the high-tech turbo engine with gasoline direct injection. Acceleration from zero to 100 km/h takes less than six seconds. The new two-seater carries its legendary name because it continues the tradition of the first Opel GT (1968 – 1973) and, like the original, competes in one of the most exciting vehicle classes.


The new Opel GT also showcases the brand’s passion for dynamic cars, and the conviction that “Opel was never as young as today”. This is underlined by niche models with a high fun factor, such as the Astra GTC with panorama windshield, the Tigra TwinTop and Astra TwinTop cabrio-coupés, as well as the high-performance OPC family. They enrich the model portfolio and emotionalize the brand.


The development of the Opel GT is a prime example of transcontinental collaboration within GM. It stems from the decision to expand the concern’s portfolio with a compact, rear-wheel drive, sporty vehicle architecture that can be implemented globally. The first step towards realizing this idea was the Solstice concept car in 2002, followed a year later by the Vauxhall VX Lightning concept, which was conceived at the GM Advanced Design Studio in Coventry, England. Strongly inspired by the VX, the Opel GT has been adapted to the current Opel design language at the GM Design Studio in Detroit and the GM Europe Design Studios in Rüsselsheim under the direction of Bryan Nesbitt. The Opel roadster will be built at the Wilmington/Delaware plant in the USA, where its highly successful American GM sister models, the Pontiac Solstice and the Saturn Sky, are also produced.


The new GT’s story is reminiscent of that of its classic predecessor. In 1968, the original Opel GT set an automotive manufacturing precedent in Europe when it became the first car to go into production after being debuted to the public as a concept study. The legendary American sports car, the Corvette, made the same start in 1953 in the USA. The new Opel GT shares some engineering characteristics with the current Corvette, such as part of the architecture.


Crisp, dynamic look with strong face


Sharp lines coupled with taut surfaces give the new Opel GT a crisp, dynamic look. Its strong face is dominated by the fender’s accentuated sweep, the bold chrome crossbar with integrated Opel logo, the elongated hood with brand-typical center crease, chrome-bordered vents and bold 3-D headlamps in clear glass look drawn deep into the side panels. The GT’s especially sporty characteristics include the long air vents in the hood, the grooving in the front fenders with their dynamic, Opel-typical horizontal contours - like on the Antara -, the double-pipe exhaust system and the twin air scoops behind the head restraints, which are reminiscent of designs from roadster and motor sport history. 18-inch aluminum wheels in new five-spoke design fill out the wheelarches, and emphasize the roadster character, as does the fabric roof, which completely disappears beneath a cover for open-top driving fun.



Chrome-ringed instruments in the cockpit clearly display all important information, while black piano lacquer and chrome finishes accentuate the high-tech nuance of the surface structures. These all combine with optional leather seats with visible stitching to highlight the sporty ambience. The short gear stick adds significantly to the driving fun: directly connected straight to the roadster’s five-speed transmission, its short gear travel enables quick gear shifts from the roadster-typical seating position.


High-tech turbo engine with direct injection and variable camshaft phasing


The new Opel GT does not just look quick, it is quick! Its longitudinally front-installed 264 hp engine with turbocharging and gasoline direct injection accelerates the roadster to 100 km/h from a standing start in just 5.7 seconds, and up to a top speed of around 230 km/h. “When it comes to high-performance roadsters, there is no better balance between price, driving enjoyment and fun,” says Alain Visser, Executive Director Sales and Marketing, Opel. There’s no question about it: no other Opel has ever produced 132 hp output per liter. The new Opel GT’s engine not only complements the car’s dynamic look perfectly, it also far outperforms today’s other roadsters and most two-seat sports cars.


High-tech features such as gasoline direct injection, twin-scroll turbocharger with intercooler, double camshaft phasing and twin counter-rotating balance shafts provide the basis for the 1998 cm3, four-cylinder engine’s impressive performance data. Maximum output of 194 kW/264 hp at 5300 rpm and high torque plateau of 353 Nm between 2500 and 5000 rpm ensure plenty of power in all situations. The GT requires an average of 9.2 liters of super unleaded gasoline per 100 kilometers. Jointly developed by GM Powertrain engineers on both sides of the Atlantic, the all-aluminum ECOTEC unit is based on the 2.2-liter direct injection unit available in the Vectra model range since 2004, and on the 2.0-liter turbo induction unit, which debuted in the Vectra GTS in spring 2003.


Chassis with classic sporty configuration


For the Opel GT, engineers designed a classic, sporty configuration based on a rigid chassis, wide track (front/rear: 1543/1561 mm) and long wheelbase of 2415 mm: all four wheels are suspended from twin A-arms made from forged aluminum, the center of gravity is low, and the weight distribution of 51:49 percent (front/rear) is well balanced.

A manual five-speed transmission with sporty, short gear travel and limited slip differential provide propulsion power. A torque beam between the transmission and rear axle suppresses reactions to acceleration/deceleration effects.


While disk brakes on all wheels, ABS, Traction Control (TC) and the Electronic Stability Program (ESP) monitor safety, the driver can control the level of ESP and use of TC himself. Both systems are fully active after ignition, with the setup providing driving fun but also keeping the vehicle stable within the physical limitations. At the touch of the ESP button in the instrument panel, the Traction Control (TC) is switched off, but ESP remains active and intervenes as soon as the yaw angle exceeds certain thresholds. Two short presses change the ESP’s calibration to a sportier mode and keep the Traction Control (TC) deactivated. Pushing and holding the ESP again for around ten seconds until the “ESP Off” symbol illuminates, completely deactivates ESP and TC. A short press of the button in any mode returns the two systems to their normal states, which also occurs automatically with each new engine start. A display and control light in the instrument panel keeps the driver informed about the current status of both systems.


Stiff vehicle structure with center tunnel and side members


The typical roadster vehicle architecture was designed from the beginning to meet the special demands of an open-top, two-seat sports car without compromise. The vehicle structure, which consists of hydroformed side members and a supporting center tunnel made from drawn sheet steel, provides a solid basis for the car’s precise handling and passive safety. The hydroforming forging technique, in which components are manufactured from steel with the help of high water pressure, is already employed in automobile construction for chassis components in the Opel Vectra and Astra.


Only the legendary American Corvette sports car is also based on hydroformed side members. But the Opel GT also breaks new ground in another regard: the GT model family belongs to the first car line produced in significant numbers to have numerous exterior parts made using a procedure that is relatively time-consuming, but provides designers with greater creative freedom. The hood is one example: thanks to unconventional hydraulic technology - known as super forming - the long hood section with its front hinges was optimally integrated into the roadster’s silhouette without a gap between the hood and fender.



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Opel GT: New Icon in Roadster Scene



  •      With 264 turbo hp for 30,675 euros, new GT offers plenty of power for the money
  •      Ample fresh air and driving enjoyment means lots of roadster fun for two
  •      Legitimate heir to the ’68 cult coupé

With a wide stance, long, front-hinged hood, sleek silhouette, bold rear, cockpit for two and a tailor-made fabric roof, which completely disappears under a cover, the new athletic two-seat Opel GT storms into a segment that is charged by emotion more than any other. As a clear commitment to pure driving fun, the GT is a roadster that perfectly fits into the Opel model range, even if its goal is not top marks for luggage compartment space, flexibility or family suitability: the new two-seater continues a tradition first started by the Opel GT in 1968.


The new Opel GT also showcases the passion for building dynamic cars, and the conviction that “Opel was never as young as today”. This is underlined by niche models with a high fun factor, such as the Astra GTC with panorama windshield, the Tigra TwinTop and Astra TwinTop cabrio-coupés, as well as the high-performance OPC model family. They enrich the model portfolio and emotionalize the brand.


But the GT would not be a true Opel if it did not also appeal to customers’ more practical side. “When it comes to high-performance roadsters, there is no better balance between price, driving enjoyment and fun,” says Alain Visser, Executive Director Sales and Marketing, Opel. The new GT also follows in the footsteps of its predecessor when it comes to its 30,675 euro price tag. At 10,767 German marks, the first GT also caused a sensation with its price in 1968. At that time, this was equivalent to roughly 10 months’ average gross wages; around 490 euros a month today. Almost 40 years later, the price ratio for the new GT is now even somewhat improved. Today, the average wage has risen to 3500 euros, and while buyers no longer get a steel roof, they do get almost three times the power of the 90 hp GT 1900.


The legend lives on


The legend of an affordable sports car lives on. The new two-seater has the advantage of being designed on roadster architecture right from the start. The original GT from the 1960s was based on a pre-existing Opel sedan model. The reason for this was the limited production capacity at the time. In order to undertake assembly at the Bochum plant, the ’68 model had to be based on the Kadett. The bodies were produced in France, and the sale of one of the plants to a competitor in the automotive industry was a key reason for ceasing production in 1973. Up to that point, 103,000 units had been built. The new 2007 Opel GT will be built in the roadster plant in Wilmington/Delaware in the USA, together with its highly successful American GM sister models, the Pontiac Solstice and the Saturn Sky.


New GT owners enjoy an extensive range of standard equipment, much of which was inconceivable in 1968:

  •      18-inch alloy wheels with 245/45 R 18 tires
  •      Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
  •      Electronic Stability Program ESP (can be adjusted and switched off)
  •      Traction Control TC (can be switched off)
  •      Two-stage airbags for driver and passenger
  •      Occupant detection for passenger seat (with cockpit display)
  •      Three-point safety belts with pretensioners and belt-force limiters
  •      CD-Radio (six loudspeakers, steering wheel remote controls, MP3 player connection)
  •      Power exterior mirrors
  •      Power windows
  •      Power height-adjustable driver’s seat
  •      Cruise control
  •      Air conditioning
  •      Leather steering wheel and gearshift knob
  •      Manual soft top with heated rear glass window
  •      Fog lamps
  •      Remote control central locking, including remote trunk-lid release



The only extra apart from brilliant or two-coat-metalic-paint is the Premium package, which costs 1285 euros. It includes leather upholstery in ebony black or cobalt red/black, and a CD-Radio with 6 x CD changer. An original Opel wind deflector and tailored luggage set are also available.


The first GTs will be on the road in March 2007 with prices starting from 30,675 euros (recommended retail price ex works incl. VAT in Germany). Dealerships have been accepting orders since summer 2006.

Design



  •      Classic proportions - wide stance with sleek silhouette and short overhangs
  •      Unmistakable personality with impressive front and strong features
  •      Archetypal roadster shape with tailor-made fabric roof


Dynamic Look Is New Interpretation of Roadster


With its exciting, sharply sculpted design, the new Opel GT embodies the quintessential roadster in modern, contemporary form.

Clear-cut edges contrast with muscular arched surfaces, creating an extraordinarily dynamic look that gives the GT its own unmistakable personality. And the characteristic proportions - wide stance with sleek silhouette, long hood and short overhangs - make it the ultimate example of its class. 18-inch aluminum wheels in new five-spoke design emphasize the roadster character, as does the tailor-made fabric roof, which completely disappears beneath a cover for open-top driving fun, and seamlessly integrates into the car’s shape when closed.


The new roadster’s face displays archetypal characteristics of its genre, as well as Opel-typical design elements in bold form:

  •      Wide, long front-hinged hood; sleek, short overhangs
  •      Striking front with large air intake in honeycomb design
  •      Wide chrome grille crossbar with integrated Opel logo
  •      Hood with distinctive center crease and air vents
  •      Bold 3-D headlamps in clear glass look drawn deep into the side panels
  •      V-shaped front end with prominent lamp units
  •     Powerfully sculpted fender with grooving and roadster-typical contours
  •     Tailor-made fabric roof

The GT’s especially sporty characteristics include the long chrome-bordered air vents in the hood, the grooving in the front fenders with their dynamic, Opel-typical horizontal signature lines - like on the Antara -, the double-pipe exhaust system and the twin air scoops behind the head restraints. These are not just reminiscent of classic motor sport and roadster design, but also fulfill an aerodynamic function by reducing air turbulence.

Both in silver, the windshield frame and the trim around the roof stowage compartment further accentuate the car’s distinctive look. The GT is available in seven colors, including colorful shades such as sunshine yellow and Eifel blue.


The ergonomically perfect cockpit with high-grip sport steering wheel, chrome-ringed dials and contoured sport seats is tailor-made for sporty driving. The short gear stick considerably adds to driving fun with its crisp, uncluttered operation; short gear travel enables quick gear shifts from the roadster-typical casual seating position. Customers who choose the Premium package, which includes leather seats with visible stitching and leather trim in the doors, have the choice between classic black leather upholstery or a bold two-tone combination of cobalt red and black. The high-tech look of the surface structures, accented with black piano lacquer and chrome finishes, underline the sporty ambience, while the chrome-ringed ventilation and lighting controls are further evidence of the GT designers’ careful attention to detail.


The roadster’s design was inspired by the Solstice concept car from 2002 and the Vauxhall VX Lightning concept car (2003) from the GM Advanced Design Studio in Coventry, England. The development of the new Opel GT is a prime example of transcontinental collaboration within GM. It stems from the decision to expand the portfolio with a compact, rear-wheel drive, sporty vehicle. The final Opel GT design was completed jointly at the GM Europe Design Studios in Rüsselsheim and the GM Design Studio in Detroit under the direction of Bryan Nesbitt.


Body and technology



  •      Rigid vehicle structure with hydroformed side members à la Corvette
  •      Production according to “GM Global Manufacturing System”


Innovative Production Processes

The Opel GT’s roadster architecture, which it shares with its successful American sister models Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky, was designed from the beginning to meet the special demands of a sporty two-seater of this classic genre. The chassis is assembled using a number of different fabrication processes and assembly methods: Hydroformed steel frame tubes - with their high strength-to-weight ratio - and conventional stampings are joined using spot welding, MIG welding and adhesive bonding to produce the extremely rigid chassis structure needed in a convertible sports car.


The Opel GT is built at the Wilmington/Delaware plant in the USA according to the quality focused “GM Global Manufacturing System” (GM GMS). Implemented worldwide, the system is based on five key concepts: Built-in-Quality, Standardization, Continuous Improvement, Short Lead Time and People Involvement including shared responsibility for quality management.


The hydroformed tube structure, which runs from the front bumper, through the left and right-hand frame tubes all the way to the rear bumper, provides the vehicle with an extremely strong foundation. The only other car that uses this kind of complete hydroformed frame is the Chevrolet Corvette – for the same reason: The high strength-to-weight ratio of a hydroformed frame greatly benefits a powerful sports car.


Sheet hydroforming uses water pressure to help create the vehicle’s skin. The process is slower and more precise than traditional body stamping and offers the advantage of providing a much deeper “draw,” which enables the designers to use a greater creative freedom. Hydroforming alone made possible the Opel GT’s large, curvaceous clamshell hood, doors and rear quarter panel. Conventional stamping processes could not yield the same results.


Composite construction similar to Corvette


In the body shop, the underbody - including a large, enclosed central tunnel - is welded to the frame tubes. Floor panels are spot-welded above the corrugated sections to provide a flat passenger footwell area for both seats in a composite construction process similar to the one used on the Corvette. Unique assembly methods are employed during production to achieve the highest possible rigidity, such as adhesive bonding and MIG welding technology. Metal Inert Gas (MIG) welding technology is a special electric arc welding process whereby the welding point is sprayed with a protective gas. MIG welding is employed on the Opel GT for the brackets and other chassis and body structures. Accessibility was the key here and was partly necessitated by the use of the hydroformed frame tubes, whose box sections do not allow for access to the inside of the tube.


The front dash structure and windshield frame - created from molded steel components that are spot welded together as a complete unit - are built up separately from the rest of the chassis. Although they have no supporting function, they do increase torsional rigidity. After painting, the unit is fitted with the instrument panel, steering controls, pedals and other related components. This dash/windshield sub-assembly is mated to the chassis during the vehicle’s general assembly process when it is lowered over the chassis hinge pillars and bonded in place using industrial adhesive - a process which is also used in modern aircraft construction - applied at the lower edge. Locating bolts on the hinge pillars hold the assembly in place during the curing process. Using similar modular designs, the upper rear partition well and luggage compartment well are pre-assembled from fiberglass-reinforced composite material.


In the event of damage to a car, technical adhesive bonding can be used for a range of low-cost repair procedures. The new Opel GT is a repair-friendly representative of its class, and is favorably classified by insurers despite its high level of driving performance. The body’s modular design, clever arrangement of components (a radiator situated far behind the large impact limiter, for example), the possibility of sectional repairs and the repairable hydroformed steel frame all contribute to the car’s favorable insurance rating.



Complex processes for exact finishes


All exterior body components are painted separately from the chassis structure prior to assembly. The parts are lacquered in groups on a “painting buck” to ensure color match. This off-line painting process makes possible the special accent-color body parts, such as the silver-colored windshield frame and tulip panel behind the driver and passenger seat headrests Wilmington assembly's body shop consists primarily of manual operations. Many of the around 1800 employees are well-trained, experienced specialists in precise manual body construction. Apart from a few robot stations, the roadster is completely produced by complex manual workmanship.

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Engine and Chassis



  •      Innovative features include direct injection, camshaft phasing and turbocharging
  •      Classic configuration: Twin A-arm and perfect weight distribution

Plenty Of Power In All Situations Thanks To High-Tech Engine

No other Opel engine has ever produced 132 hp output per liter. The new Opel GT’s engine is the perfect complement to the car’s dynamic look. The 1998 cm3, four-cylinder all-aluminum engine also boasts impressive performance data compared with competitor engines thanks to high-tech features such as gasoline direct injection, twin-scroll turbocharger with intercooler, double camshaft phasing and two balance shafts. Maximum output of 194 kW/264 hp at 5300 rpm and high torque plateau of 353 Nm between 2500 and 5000 rpm ensure plenty of power in all situations.

The roadster accelerates to 100 km/h from a standing start in just 5.7 seconds and reaches a top speed of around 230 km/h, which for a roadster is more of a notional value. It requires an average of 9.2 liters of super unleaded gasoline per 100 kilometers (MVEG-mix). Jointly developed by GM Powertrain engineers on both sides of the Atlantic, the ECOTEC engine is based on the 2.2-liter direct injection unit available in the Vectra model range since 2004, and on the 2.0-liter turbo induction unit, which debuted in the Vectra GTS in spring 2003.


Perfect combination: Direct injection and turbocharging


The Opel GT’s direct gasoline injection ensures considerably more intensive combustion of the fuel mixture than an induction injection engine. Driven by the camshaft, a high-pressure gasoline pump increases fuel pressure to up to 155 bar - when the engine is idling, injection pressure is 50 bar. The fuel itself is drawn from the tank by an electric pump. The multi-port injection nozzles are arranged underneath the four-cylinder’s intake ports. The special shape of the piston head causes the fuel mixture to swirl around the centrally located spark plug. Controlled and complete combustion allowed for the compression ratio to be set especially high for a high-performance turbo engine at 9.2:1, which is beneficial for consumption in the partial-load range.


The four-cylinder engine’s turbocharger operates according to the twin-scroll principle. In the exhaust manifold and turbocharger, the geometry of the first and fourth, as well as of the second and third cylinder channels keeps them separated from each other. The pulsating mixture columns are directed into scrolls and merge directly in front of the turbine. Separating the exhaust-gas streams until they reach the turbine inlet enables optimal use of their dynamics. Pressure already starts to build up at around 1400 rpm, and gas pedal movements are translated into powerful acceleration just as quickly. Maximum turbo pressure is 1.38 bar. Other important features of the extremely compact turbocharger include an electro-magnetic overrun air valve, vacuum control and a turbine rotor optimized for efficiency. At a defined vacuum pressure, a valve is opened which directs the air back to the compressor inlet, keeping the charger’s rpm at a high level. With renewed acceleration, turbo pressure is immediately available again. To increase charging efficiency in the combustion chambers, the pre-compressed air is cooled by 100 degrees Celsius in an intercooler before entering the combustion chambers.


Opel’s second-generation, reinforced aluminum engine block is used in the GT; in particular, the main crankshaft bearing supports and cylinder walls have been strengthened. The high-performance engine’s high thermal load capacity facilitates the piston end’s oil-spray cooling and backs up the cylinders’ wet liner, which extends far downwards. The cast aluminum pistons transfer power via forged piston rods to the forged crankshaft.


Clever double camshaft phasing


Both of the four-cylinder’s camshafts can be adjusted via an electro-hydraulic rotary disk to match valve opening times to the engine load level via the engine control unit. With higher overlap at lower rpm, continuous variable camshaft phasing also ensures that the turbocharger responds more quickly. The exhaust valves are filled with sodium, and exhaust gases are released to the tailpipe via a stainless steel manifold. All valves are operated via low-friction roller valve levers.


The engine block also features two counter-rotating balance shafts, a low-maintenance chain drive for the camshafts and a cast-on oil filter housing, which is easily accessible from above. Only the cartridge needs replacing when changing oil, and the appropriate time for this is indicated by an interval display. Sensors measure the usage rate of the fully synthetic oil based on parameters such as the number of cold engine starts and the ignition sparks produced by the spark plugs. The plugs themselves only need changing after 160,000 kilometers and the coolant after 240,000 kilometers.


Chassis with classic sporty configuration


For the Opel GT, engineers designed a classic, sporty configuration based on a rigid chassis, wide track (front/rear: 1543/1561 mm) and long wheelbase of 2415 mm: all four wheels are suspended from twin A-arms made from forged aluminum, the center of gravity is low, and the weight distribution of 51:49 percent (front/rear) is well balanced. A manual five-speed transmission with sporty, short gear travel and limited slip differential provide propulsion power. A torque beam between the transmission and rear axle suppresses reactions to acceleration/deceleration effects.


While disk brakes on all wheels, ABS, Traction Control (TC) and the Electronic Stability Program (ESP) monitor safety, the driver can control the level of ESP and use of TC himself. Both systems are fully active after ignition, with the setup providing driving fun but also keeping the vehicle stable within the physical limitations. At the touch of the ESP button in the instrument panel, the Traction Control (TC) is switched off, but ESP remains active and intervenes as soon as the yaw angle exceeds certain thresholds. Two short presses change the ESP’s calibration to a sportier mode and keep the Traction Control (TC) deactivated. Pushing and holding the ESP again for around ten seconds until the “ESP Off” symbol illuminates, completely deactivates ESP and TC.

A short press of the button in any mode returns the two systems to their normal states, which also occurs automatically with each new engine start. A display and control light in the instrument panel keeps the driver informed about the current status of both systems.




Extensive standard equipment


Extensive standard equipment in the Opel GT includes:


  •      18-inch alloy wheels with 245/45 R 18 tires
  •      Anti-lock Braking System ABS
  •      Electronic Stability Program ESP (can be adjusted and switched off)
  •      Traction Control TC (can be switched off)
  •      Two-stage airbags for driver and passenger
  •      Occupant detection for passenger seat (with cockpit display)
  •      Three-point safety belts with pretensioners and belt-force limiters
  •     CD-Radio (six loudspeakers, steering wheel remote controls, MP3 player connection)
  •    Power exterior mirrors
  •     Power windows
  •      Power height-adjustable driver’s seat
  •      Cruise control
  •      Air conditioning
  •      Leather steering wheel and gearshift knob
  •      Manual soft top with heated rear glass window
  •      Fog lamps
  •      Remote control central locking, including remote trunk-lid release



The first Opel GTs will be on the road in March 2007 and dealerships have been accepting orders since summer 2006.