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Opel has issued the following press release:
With its four-wheel drive Antara GTC concept vehicle (Gran Turismo Crossover), Opel 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 three-door design (length/width/height: 4530/1970/1640 mm), 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. Viewed from the side, attention is 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, Executive Director, GM Design Europe. “Contrary to traditional off-road concepts, the Antara GTC communicates that its true home is more on the road than on rough terrain.” — Suzuki SX4 sport X-Over.
For Alain Visser, Executive Director for European Marketing at Adam Opel AG, the Antara GTC is a convincing ambassador of the brand: “Anyone who has been lucky enough to see the Antara GTC has felt instinctively: ‘Here comes a strong Opel.’ As a surprisingly sporty SUV concept, the study also symbolizes Opel’s innovative strength.”
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. 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. This provides more convenient access to the load compartment. The two rear seats can be folded away completely from the rear of the vehicle, producing a completely flat loading area. The front seats are anchored on mono-rails and look as if 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. — Chevrolet Captiva compact SUV.
Beneath the hood, the Antara GTC features a 212 hp twin-turbo version of the 1.9 CDTI four-cylinder engine. The transverse installed concept power plant produces 400 Nm starting at 1400 rpm, and, like all 1.9 CDTI engines in Opel models, is equipped with a maintenance-free particulate filter (DPF). In combination with the six-speed automatic transmission, the performance is outstanding: computer simulations show a top speed of over 210 km/h and an acceleration from zero to 100 km/h in around 8 seconds. — Kia's Multi-S crossover concept.
With the Antara GTC, Opel is continuing its series of exciting studies, each of which accentuates the new dynamic design language in various vehicle classes and reinterprets it for the particular segment. They include concepts such as the GTC Genève (Geneva 2003), Insignia (IAA 2003), Trixx (Geneva 2004) and VX Lightning (London 2003).
