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Dynamic, Versatile and Less Than 40 g CO2/km: Opel Flextreme


    Opel Flextreme (NYSE:GMA) is the name of the concept vehicle that
    marks a milestone in the development of the electric car: with its
    completely new, environmentally friendly E-Flex electric propulsion
    concept most commuters in Europe could travel everyday without
    producing any CO2 emissions. The car only needs to be charged for a
    relatively short time through the mains outlet after traveling 55
    kilometers. If required however, the Flextreme can travel up to 715 km
    without stopping to recharge or refuel thanks to its small
    turbo-diesel engine. According to the European test cycle (ECE R101),
    this unit's emissions are expected to be less than 40 g CO2/km. With
    the dynamic IAA monocab coupe concept, Opel also highlights others
    innovative solutions - including the electric personal transporters
    under the FlexLoad(R) load floor.

    The Opel Flextreme uses GM's E-Flex architecture and represents
    the company's strategy to develop vehicles that reduce CO2 emissions
    and the automobile's dependency on oil, thereby supporting global
    diversification of the energy mix. This also includes using the mains
    electricity network as an energy source. At the concept's heart is an
    electric motor that takes its power from a large lithium-ion battery.
    The difference to conventional hybrid propulsion systems is that the
    E-Flex system's 1.3-liter diesel engine is not connected to the
    wheels. It is purely on board to produce additional electricity to
    charge the battery and provide a greater operating range. It always
    operates in the optimum rpm range and its cylinder pressure-based
    closed loop technology controls the combustion process, further
    reducing the vehicle's emissions.

    With a fully charged battery, the Flextreme has an operating range
    of 55 kilometers when running purely on electrical power, and only
    requires a standard 220 V mains socket to recharge the battery in
    around three hours. Commuters in Europe have an average commute of
    less than 50 kilometers, so if they were to charge the car up
    overnight and during the day, they could drive over 100 km each day
    without producing any CO2 emissions. "Commutes to major city-centers
    in Europe will do nothing but grow more challenging in the future, ","
    says Robert A. Lutz, GM Vice Chairman, Global Product Development,
    "and we see E-Flex vehicles as an elegant solution for commuters." Bob
    Lutz sees the Opel Flextreme Concept vehicle as "a natural for the
    Opel brand in Europe, where it has long been known for technological
    innovation and strong design."

    System already integrated into product development

    The E-Flex system is not just a vision of GM - it is already fully
    integrated into product development. It enables different propulsion
    systems to be fitted into one uniform chassis with electric
    propulsion. Fuel cells or bioethanol/diesel engines can also be fitted
    as secondary propulsion units depending on what energy source is
    readily available in the driver's area.

    The timetable for series production is closely tied to the
    development of key technologies, such as high-performance lithium-ion
    batteries. E-Flex Chief Engineer Frank Weber is confident about its
    further development: "We fully intend to bring this technology to
    market," says Weber. "we're increasingly confident that our strategic
    battery partners will be able to deliver a production-ready battery in
    the near future."

    Segways in trunk add extra mobility option

    The Flextreme takes the new design language debuted in the GTC
    Coupe at the Geneva Motor Show several steps further. With the
    forward-opening rear doors (FlexDoor(R)), a large transparent roof and
    two tailgate doors that open from the side and swing upwards, the
    concept car continues Opel's tradition of particularly flexible and
    practical body concepts with attractive designs. This also includes
    the innovative FlexLoad(R) additional underfloor luggage compartment.

    The big surprise for the IAA are two high-tech electric personal
    transporters, ingeniously packaged below the cargo floor. They can be
    used in areas that cars cannot enter, thereby adding an extra mobility
    option. The electric scooters provide up to 38 km

    (23 miles) of clean mobility.

    Text and photos can be downloaded from the Internet at
    http://media.opel.com.

    Opel Flextreme Concept Vehicle: Technical Data

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    *T
    Model: Opel Flextreme Concept
    ------------------------ ---------------------------------------------
    Body style / driveline: 4-passenger monocab coupe, electric
    propulsion, front wheel drive
    ------------------------ ---------------------------------------------
    *T

    Drive system

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    Description: Electrically driven system with
    onboard range extender, plug-in
    recharge capability
    ------------------------------- --------------------------------------
    Battery system:
    ------------------------------- --------------------------------------
    Type: Lithium-ion (Nanophosphate)
    ------------------------------- --------------------------------------
    Energy: 16 kWh (minimum)
    ------------------------------- --------------------------------------
    Peak power: 136 kW
    ------------------------------- --------------------------------------
    Voltage: 320 to 350
    ------------------------------- --------------------------------------
    100% recharge time:
    ------------------------------- --------------------------------------
    220-volt outlet: 3.0 to 3.5 hours
    ------------------------------- --------------------------------------
    Electric traction system:
    ------------------------------- --------------------------------------
    Max. electrical power: 120 kW
    ------------------------------- --------------------------------------
    Max. mechanical power: 120 kW
    ------------------------------- --------------------------------------
    Continuous electrical 45 kW
    power:
    ------------------------------- --------------------------------------
    Continuous mechanical 40 kW
    power:
    ------------------------------- --------------------------------------
    Torque : 370 Nm
    ------------------------------- --------------------------------------
    Generator:
    ------------------------------- --------------------------------------
    Power: 53 kW peak power output
    ------------------------------- --------------------------------------
    Drive: Direct
    ------------------------------- --------------------------------------
    Range extender:
    ------------------------------- --------------------------------------
    Type: 4-cyl. CDTI diesel engine
    ------------------------------- --------------------------------------
    Size: 1.3 L
    ------------------------------- --------------------------------------
    Peak engine speed: 3200 rpm
    ------------------------------- --------------------------------------
    Fuel tank: 26 L
    ------------------------------- --------------------------------------
    Charger:
    ------------------------------- --------------------------------------
    Type: Plug-in
    ------------------------------- --------------------------------------
    Voltage / amp: 220 / 20
    ------------------------------- --------------------------------------
    Pure Electric mode range : 55 km
    ------------------------------- --------------------------------------
    Current European Test Cycle for
    Plug-ins Vehicles (ECE R101)
    ------------------------------- --------------------------------------
    Measured CO2 release (g/km) less than 40g CO2
    ------------------------------- --------------------------------------
    Full driving range : 715 km
    ------------------------------- --------------------------------------
    0 to 100 km: ca. 9.5 seconds
    ------------------------------- --------------------------------------
    Top speed : ca. 160 km/h
    ------------------------------- --------------------------------------
    *T

    Chassis/Suspension

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    Front: McPherson independent, strut-type,
    ---------------------------- -----------------------------------------
    Rear: Torsion Beam Rear Axle
    ---------------------------- -----------------------------------------
    Steering type: Electric, speed-sensitive, variable
    assist rack-and-pinion
    ---------------------------- -----------------------------------------
    Turning circle, curb-to-curb 10.9 m
    ---------------------------- -----------------------------------------
    *T

    Brakes

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    Type: Electro-hydraulic power assisted; front disc, rear disc
    ----- ----------------------------------------------------------------
    *T

    Wheels/Tires

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    Wheel size : 21 inch
    -------------- -------------------------------------------------------
    Tires: 195 / 45R21 low-rolling resistance
    -------------- -------------------------------------------------------
    *T

    Dimensions

    Exterior

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    Overall length : 4555 mm
    -------------------------------------- -------------------------------
    Height : 1487 mm
    -------------------------------------- -------------------------------
    Width : 1836 mm
    -------------------------------------- -------------------------------
    Wheelbase : 2725 mm
    -------------------------------------- -------------------------------
    *T

    Interior

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    Seating capacity (front / rear): 2 / 2
    --------------------------------- ------------------------------------
    Headroom : Front 954 mm
    Rear 962 mm
    --------------------------------- ------------------------------------
    Legroom : Front 897 mm
    Rear 923 mm
    --------------------------------- ------------------------------------
    Shoulder room : 1370 mm
    1342 mm
    --------------------------------- ------------------------------------
    Hip room : 1315 mm
    1307 mm
    --------------------------------- ------------------------------------
    *T