Opel Antara GTC Concept: 2005 Frankfurt Motor Show

Motoring Channel Staff - 13/9/2005

General Motor's German operation has released a futuristic concepts car for the Frankfurt Motor Show - the four-wheel drive Antara GTC - short for Gran Turismo Crossover

Opel says the advanced-looking concept vehicle demonstrates just how dynamic and athletic an SUV (Sport Utility Vehicle) can actually be.

The study has its premiere at the International Motor Show in Frankfurt (IAA) from September 15-25, 2005.

With the characteristic 3-door design, Opel shows a particularly sporty interpretation of an SUV and its dynamic design language in this special vehicle format.

With the striking LED headlamps that run well into the fenders, and the brand's typical crease in the engine hood, the front of the four-seater accentuates Opel's new design line.

Opel is confident that, when viewed from the side, attention will be captured by the frameless windows that drop right down and contribute to the coupe-like silhouette.

"The Antara GTC concept vehicle conveys ‘adventure’ – even when standing still. It leverages Opel's current design language and reinterprets it for the SUV genre," explains Bryan Nesbitt, the Executive Director of GM Design in Europe.

"Contrary to traditional off-road concepts, the Antara GTC communicates that its true home is more on the road than on rough terrain," added Nesbitt.

With a number of optical and technical details and typical Opel versatility in the interior, the study also sets out to satisfy demanding practical requirements.

The tailgate, for example, has a pantographic hinge (see image below, left). Thanks to this innovative design, when it is opened, it swings upwards and to the front so that the person loading the vehicle is not forced to take a step backwards.

Opel assures us that this provides more convenient access to the load compartment. While there's nothing new in the way that the two rear seats can be folded away completely from the rear of the vehicle, the front seats are a bit different, being anchored on mono-rails, looking as though they are floating.

With the aid of an EasyEntry system, they slide forward at the press of a button up to the instrument panel to allow the passengers to climb more easily into the rear seats.

Beneath the bonnet, the Antara GTC - manufactured completely in house by Opel at its Rüsselsheim development center - features a 156kW (212hp) twin-turbo version of the 1.9-litre CDTI (diesel) 4-cylinder engine.

The transverse installed concept power plant produces 400Nm starting @ 1400rpm, and, like all 1.9-litre CDTI engines in Opel models, is equipped with a maintenance-free particulate filter (DPF).

In combination with the 6-speed automatic transmission, the predicted performance is outstanding: computer simulations show a top speed of over 210km/h and an acceleration from zero to 100km/h in around 8.0 seconds.

The two-stage turbocharged concept diesel unit is absolutely ideal for this type of vehicle, says Opel.

The transversally installed 4-cylinder engine features two overhead camshafts, 4-valves per cylinder and a variable turbo blade geometry. The fuel supply to the cylinders is controlled by a common-rail system with a pressure of up to 1600 bar.

The heart of the innovative twin-turbo technology of the concept diesel engine is forced aspiration through two exhaust-driven turbochargers, which unlike “biturbo” systems operate in series rather than in parallel.

A smaller, highly responsive turbocharger spools up for the low engine speed range, and a larger turbocharger designed for high output takes over as the revs and road speed build up.

The modern chassis of the Antara GTC is also dedicated to agile handling, following its road-based application. McPherson struts are used on the front axle, and there is a four-link axle at the rear to offer sedan-like ride and handling, and rack-and-pinion power steering ensures precise handling.

Inside the concept study, Opel has included a panoramic roof system (borrowed from the new Opel Zafira). The two large skylights that make up the vehicle's roof give the occupants a light and very pleasant atmosphere to travel in. Dark tinted glass provides protection from excessive sunshine, while the roof console, which runs along the roof center and extends over the whole length of the car interior, offers additional stowing space.

Another ingenious storage facility for everyday utensils is the special leather bag that can be moved along a rail between the front and rear seats. It can also be taken along on a shopping or sightseeing trip.

The center console accommodates not only the compact gear lever of the Easytronic transmission, but also three large round ventilation nozzles and the controls for the infotainment system and air-conditioning. Side handles to hold on at the bottom of the center console reflect the offroad character of the concept vehicle.

The instruments are backlit in turquoise and are accommodated in an aluminium housing – which Opel says is an impressive combination of structural strength and optical elegance. When offroad, displays in the two circular instruments keep the driver constantly informed of the gradient (up or down) and of the lateral angle of the Antara GTC.

Even the pedals have a connection with the exterior. They are covered with non-slip rubber that has the same unusual profile as the Antara tires, which cover massive 20-inch chromium alloy rims.

Another divergent feature of the interior is the removal of the conventional carpet, or car mat; the SUV study is fitted with sisal (a very hardy Mexican/Central American plant fibre often used to make rope), a solution that combines a certain stylishness with excellent wear properties.

"With the Antara GTC, we have again showed that a sporty design does not have to exclude a practical interior. Combining the sporty with the practical is a core area of competence for Opel," said Frank Leopold, Manager of GM Europe's Innovation, Show Cars and Advanced Packaging, when summarising the study's interior concept.