14 pictures added
General Motors will show its Opel-badged E-flex vehicle, called the Flextreme, this week at the Frankfurt Auto Show. Although the Opel-version shares the same platform as the Chevrolet Volt, it will have its own distinct body style. The Volt’s gas/E85 range extender will also be replaced by a diesel, possibly a 1.3 liter unit.
The Opel Flextreme will also boast a charge time of just 3 hours, half of the advertised 6 hours it takes to charge the Volt’s batteries. The reduction in charge time is thanks to the the fact that Europe has 220V as standard for electrical outlets while the U.S. is 110V.
According to GM product planning director Benoit Schlumberger, one of the keys to getting E-flex volumes up will be the Chinese market. GM also sees the largest potential for hydrogen fuel-cell versions of the E-flex in the Chinese market.
The news that GM will take its E-flex to China makes sense as we just reported last month that GM wants to sell 60,000 Volts in its first year. The increase in volume would also allow GM to keep E-flex prices down, helping to achieve the $30,000 price target.
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09/04, 8:19 AM
posted by:
Brendino
Which means that Saturn gets one too, right?
09/04, 10:25 AM
posted by:
Blakkarr
It’s possible. I’m just hoping that GM picks up on newer battery technology by the time the VOLT and this car hit. Also I wouldn’t be opposed to RWD or AWD in a very near future model.
09/04, 10:38 AM
posted by:
Brendino
AWD, maybe. This thing ain’t gonna be a sports car.
09/04, 10:47 AM
posted by:
gearhead
No, it doesn’t mean there will be a Saturn version. It is clearly a version of the platform built to be compatible with the European (and similar) markets, hence the part about the diesel engine and 220 volt power supply.
09/04, 1:24 PM
posted by:
jackjimturkey
Is that color called “fog?”
09/04, 7:44 PM
posted by:
Brendino
It’s plausible, though…if it’s differentiated enough. You’ve already got the Volt drivetrain and the Opel skin…put em together, slap a Saturn badge on it, and you have new product.
09/10, 9:57 AM
posted by:
Blakkarr
It looks like something Nissan would have rolled out for show back in 2002. That’s not to say its out of date just an observation. It headlights obviously won’t make production but look seriously cool and practical all the same.
09/10, 10:48 AM
posted by:
Get Real
Test it on the Chinese, then bring it here when it works.
They dump untested junk on us.
Time they paid for some testing.
09/10, 11:47 AM
posted by:
illwill
Very nice!
09/10, 1:13 PM
posted by:
Commodore
Better looking than the Prius or the Civic Hybrid (which looks like some star trek-geek car)
09/10, 2:28 PM
posted by:
masteryoda83
cant wait to see what toyota lovers say when an AMERICAN company releases a car that gets better milage than their precious Camry/Prius. But i bet they will just say **** like the reliability will be bad. **** TOYOTA long live Detroit!!!
09/10, 3:03 PM
posted by:
Deanster
Not bad at all….especially the teardrop headlight treatment and the profile. The rear is botched with the double glass panes, but overall good. I’m impressed. Must have been executed by the krauts at Opel (and named by the American contingent of course, with a name as stupid as Flextreme)
09/10, 3:09 PM
posted by:
67_L-88
Not as attractive as the volt, however diesel is a plus. I hope the north American model will have diesel as an option.
09/10, 7:06 PM
posted by:
Cire
I think this would make a great addition to Saturn’s product portfolio. The profile and overall design is slick and well executed. All they need to do is fix a couple of the unsuccessful design elements (split rear window and droopy headlight design) and bring it to market along with the Chevrolet Volt. GM’s dedication to this technology segment is inspiring as is the execution of their overall turnaround efforts. GM has definitely become my favorite of the former “Big Three”.
09/10, 7:15 PM
posted by:
Commodore
masteryoda and Deanster - I thought you guys were import humpers..
Good to see you be fair and impartial [for once]
09/10, 9:27 PM
posted by:
tripleonefive
Yea reliability doesn’t mean **** to buyers of American products anyway as long as its American As far as Toyota and GM with gas mileage GM had the chance to be the pioneers of the electric car but they blew it Well not blew it just got greedy You’ve seen the movie and the website …
09/10, 11:31 PM
posted by:
GMCsyclone#478
tripleonefive once again reveals his youthful ignorance by trusting in biased anti-American propoganda. Should we believe that there were bombs placed in the Louisiana levees as well? Obama and Hillary are courting your vote.
This should be far ahead of anything Honda or Nissan will be offering by then. And probably Toyota as well. Not to mention better looking than anything Japan’s Big One and Little Two (Toyota, Nissan, Honda)can design.
I almost feel sorry for the Japanese companies. It’s like they’ve once again awoken the Sleeping Dragon.
09/11, 12:01 AM
posted by:
masteryoda83
commodore, you thought i was an import humper?? Thats hilarious because i LOVE american cars. I try to buy as much US merchandise as possible. I just wish some americans knew how much our economy hinges upon our auto companies. People need to have some sense of Patriotic Pride. It’s like people arent proud to be seen in American vehicles. But not me i love GM and kinda like Ford. Again i am glad to see GM taking the initiative in this new technology, and i cant wait to see the tons of pre-owned priuses on Chevy lots, when those who blow toyota realize that in their own backyard they found the real answer to fuel issues–the Volt. Its gonna be hilarious.
09/21, 11:42 PM
posted by:
BLISS
LOOK FUTURISTIC