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Vauxhall will unveil a dramatic concept
car at this year’s Geneva Show that is set to boost its credentials as a
leader in environmental vehicles. The Flextreme GT/E illustrates how
extended-range electric vehicle (E-REV) technology can be plugged into
large or mid-sized vehicles, as well as compact cars, like the upcoming
Ampera.
Vauxhall calls the strategy
underpinning Flextreme GT/E, ‘e-mobility unlimited’, which will
effectively adapt the highly efficient E-REV drive system to vehicles
across all market segments. In other words, the Flextreme GT/E concept
shows that size really doesn’t matter when it comes to driving a car
with zero C02 emissions.
Sleek and aerodynamic, the Flextreme
GT/E achieves a projected drag co-efficient of just 0.22, allowing it to
reach an estimated top speed of 125mph-plus while conserving energy and
extending the driving range. Stand-out visual features include a low,
wide stance, wing-shaped lights front and rear, a distinctive nose and
grille, ‘floating’ C-pillars and muscular, sculptured bodywork.
Exterior design
The clean frontal styling features a low bonnet line and an extended
nose section, which is clasped by wing-shaped, signature LED headlamps,
which are in turn carved into the front wings and across the bonnet
line. The new trapezoidal grille is slim but bold, with the prominent
wing-shaped chrome bar carrying a large Vauxhall emblem, which doubles
as a socket for charging the Flextreme GT/E’s battery pack.
The upper section of the grille is used
to admit cooling air, the lower portion being covered by a translucent
panel. The absence of additional air intakes allows a low frontal area
for aerodynamic efficiency and also enables the Flextreme GT/E to meet
future pedestrian protection requirements.
The sculpted bonnet, with a
Vauxhall-signature central crease line, features narrow longitudinal
vents on either side to draw air out of the engine compartment. The
muscular wings and wheel-arches sweep back into the side-body.
In profile, the Flextreme GT/E is
distinguished by innovative, stubbed C-pillars. This floating design
allows the glasshouse to be extended rearwards under the arching
roofline, emphasising the flowing lines of the side-body. Vauxhall’s
signature blade motif is reinterpreted in a swooping swage line from the
base of the C-pillar into the lower front wing.
Access to the cabin is enhanced by the
adoption of rear-hinged rear doors, an evolution of the FlexDoors
concept from the new generation Meriva. To preserve the clean exterior
looks, all door handles are replaced by light sensors. These trigger the
doors to open when covered by the driver’s or passenger’s hand. To
reduce air turbulence, exterior front door mirrors are also absent,
replaced by small camera pods in the base of the A-pillars.
At the rear, a strong shoulder line embraces sculpted wheel-arches that
further emphasise the Flextreme GT/E’s wide, ground-hugging stance. The
coupé look is completed by a steeply raked tailgate, carrying
wing-shaped LED light units which echo the form of the front headlamps.
And taking a leaf from the Insignia Sports Tourer’s book, the tailgate
has a wraparound design for improved boot access, enhanced by a convex
deep glass screen to improve airflow.
The transparency of the fixed glass
panel in the centre of the roof is adaptive, allowing sunlight to warm
the interior in the cold of winter, but darkening for coolness in
summer. A duct at the rear edge of the roof is for additional cooling of
the battery and electronic components.
Managing airflow and
saving weight
Integral to the Flextreme GT/E’s dramatic looks is the efficiency of the
design execution. The small frontal area, low roof height (1308 mm) and
a flat, enclosed underbody all enable the car to cleave the air with a
minimum of disturbance.
A series of measures optimise airflow
management. The 21-inch alloy wheels are relatively narrow, to reduce
wind resistance, and are fitted with 195/45, low rolling resistance
tyres. Clear, flush-mounted trim inserts also minimise air turbulence.
The small front intake improves airflow
around the nose of the car and the underbody sweeps up, venturi-like, at
the rear to further reduce drag.
The Flextreme GT/E also explores the
potential for active shape shifting. At speeds above 30mph, a vertical
panel extends along the body from the air extraction slot behind each
rear wheel-arch. These 350 mm-long side spoilers guide high-speed
airflow around the rear corners of the car, further reducing the amount
of turbulence.
Mass reduction measures for the body
include the use of lightweight, carbon composite outer panels,
polycarbonate window glazing and aluminum alloy structural components.
Compared with conventional materials, these offer a 40 per cent weight
saving which further contributes to reduced energy consumption and an
increased driving range.
Powertrain
The Flextreme GT/E concept also includes the groundbreaking E-REV drive
system, already developed for the Vauxhall Ampera. Despite its greater
size and a maximum speed of more than 125mph, the Flextreme GT/E is
estimated to offer performance similar to that of the Ampera: a
battery-powered driving range of up to 40 miles – with zero CO2
tailpipe emissions – and a total range of over 300 miles. Average fuel
consumption is estimated at 175mpg, with CO2 emissions of
less than 40g/km.
Unlike a hybrid vehicle, the wheels of
the Flextreme GT/E are powered at all times by electricity. For typical
journeys up to 40 miles, energy is supplied by a T-shaped lithium-ion
battery pack located under the floor and rear seat.
However, unlike a battery-only electric
vehicle, the Flextreme GT/E eliminates any possibility of range anxiety
through fear of being stranded without power. The small petrol
engine/generator is seamlessly engaged to provide electricity whenever
the battery’s supply becomes depleted. In this mode, the driving range
is extended to more than 300 miles, until the plug-in battery pack can
be recharged or the car is refueled.
The motor in the electric drive unit
delivers a substantial 370Nm of instant torque, giving lively
performance and projected zero to 62mph acceleration in less than nine
seconds.
The Flextreme GT/E concept is a logical
next step towards Vauxhall’s emerging strategy for the electrification
of the car, which will in time include products using battery,
extended-range, hybrid and fuel cell technologies.
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