Opel Experimental: Crossover concept car for the electric future
Opel has given a glimpse of the brand’s electric future with the Experimental concept car. The battery-electric crossover, which was presented online, will celebrate its world premiere in September at this year’s IAA Mobility in Munich.
According to Opel CEO Florian Huettl, the study, called Experimental, is intended to give “a preview of upcoming models and technologies, of future design, indeed, of a new era and the future of the brand.” As reported, parent company Stellantis wants to make Opel a purely electric brand in Europe from 2028.
Opel has not yet revealed much about the technology, only that the electric crossover will be based on a BEV platform from Stellantis and will have electric all-wheel drive. Since Opel classifies the Experimental in the C segment, the platform will likely be the STLA Medium. That would mean it has a 400-volt system with up to 104 kWh gross battery energy content and a choice of front- or all-wheel drive with 160 to 285 kW of power. The wheelbase will be between 2.70 and 2.90 metres, and the overall length of the vehicles will be in the range of 4.30 to 4.90 metres.
Regarding design and body, Opel speaks of a “bold and pure” design and the “next chapter of Opel design philosophy.” Above all, that can be seen in the further developed front – the “4D Opel Vizor.” The current production models still bear the “Opel Vizor” without the 4D name suffix.
Although the people from Rüsselsheim name “cutting-edge aero-efficiency features” as one of the highlights of the brand’s study, the very steep and not exactly aerodynamic front remains. However, air vents at the front and rear can be opened or closed as required. In addition, the study has a variable rear diffuser that retracts or extends depending on the driving situation. That should improve aerodynamic efficiency.
If the vehicle were developed primarily with a focus on aerodynamics, all cars would look almost the same – there would then be no way around the optimal teardrop shape. But that is precisely what Opel wanted to avoid, instead designing a recognisably independent body. “The exterior design delivers an optimised aerodynamic performance in combination with a stunning silhouette while the interior offers an immersive and emotional user experience,” says Opel design chief Mark Adams. “Many of the elements of its design and the mindset behind it will be visible in future production vehicles.”
That also applies to the interior. Here, the feeling of space should be more in line with the D- than the C-segment. Lightweight adaptive seats reduce weight and provide a high level of seating comfort and contribute to the “liberation of space inside the concept car.” Since the vehicle also has steer-by-wire steering, the steering wheel can be folded away if necessary. In addition, the absence of mechanical steering components further reduces weight. Screens are also done away with; the information will be displayed using augmented projection technology. Instead of a touchscreen, the system is operated with an AI-supported voice control.
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