1971 Opel Gt on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Monza concept opens its wings and lets us in on Opel's future

Opel has done a lot to revitalize itself over the past few years, developing a solid product portfolio with hatchbacks, sedans, wagons, minivans and crossovers. What it's missing, though, is a sports coupe - because, let's face it, the Cascada cabrio hardly fits the bill.
Hopes were raised when Opel revealed it was working on a new Monza concept, reviving a nameplate borrowed from an Italian racetrack and previously used on a six-cylinder fastback version of the Senator sedan. Opel has now revealed the Monza in full, but it's neither the sportscar we expected nor the harbinger of a new production model - much less one we could look forward to General Motors porting over as a Buick coupe, for that matter.
What you're looking at instead is a design study that hints at the way Opel will style its cars moving forward. Sized in between the Astra and Insignia, the Monza concept has two giant gullwing doors to give access to both front and rear seats, which is probably your first clue that this is more of a show car than a pre-production prototype. Inside, the futuristic cabin features an LED projection dashboard with 3D graphics, new social interactive systems and a lot of swoopy forms and curved wood.

Opel Adam looking to get dirty with friends

If there's a single phrase in the automotive lexicon that makes us want to obliterate our delicate middle ear organs with a pickaxe, it's "lifestyle car." Opel has taken the unfortunate step of dropping the company's Adam into that phylum, which is a shame since the little runabout looks downright dashing in rally guise. Opel has just announced that it will show off its new FIA R2-spec Adam at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show next month. Expect to see the little competitor go through homologation and final development early this year, with privateer teams able to purchase their own shortly thereafter.
With a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine that provides 185 horsepower and 140 pound feet of torque in rally spec, the Adam should be reasonably quick. A five-speed sequential transmission and limited slip differential put that muscle down, and four-piston Brembo front brakes help bring the party to a stop. The driver also gets the luxury of a hydraulic handbrake and the cabin is fitted with Sparco competition seats, an LCD gear indicator and a MONIT trip computer. Check out the full press release below for more information.
Opel is also set to show off its Adam ROCKS Concept. The design study is an "urban mini-crossover" that's both wider and taller than the current production Adam. Check out out in the associated gallery, and be sure to take a peek at the quick press release.

Recharge Wrap-up: Tesla Model 3 reservation priorities, Opel builds Ampera-e in US?

Opel will build the Ampera-e EV in the US. According to a report from German magazine Automobil Produktion, the electric Opel will be built alongside its sibling, the Chevrolet Bolt, at GM's Orion Assembly plant near Detroit, Michigan. GM CEO Mary Barra did not disclose the location of the Ampera-e's assembly, and Opel declined to comment on the report. A Vauxhall spokesman in the UK declined to comment on whether the car would be sold there as a right-hand-drive model. Read more from Automotive News Europe. How will Tesla prioritize reservations for the Model 3? While some folks argue that orders should be prioritized according to time zone, others think all the Tesla stores should open at the same exact time, regardless of time zone. What is more likely, however, is that places where more deliveries take place will get their cars before locations with fewer buyers, for the sake of efficiency. Elon Musk has also said that the cars ordered with the most options will be built first. Read more at Teslarati. The Zoleco is an attempt at ultimate aerodynamic car design. Built by Zoltan Bod in British Columbia, it is a body concept that will potentially be sold as a kit meant for various propulsion systems. The idea is to reduce aerodynamic drag as much as possible, while saving weight wherever possible, in order to get the greatest efficiency out of the powerplant - be it gas, electric or some other form of energy. Bod says the car can achieve 151 mpg at 45 mph, or 91 mpg at 65 mph using a turbocharged, three-cylinder gasoline engine. Learn more at the Zoleco website. Featured Gallery Opel Ampera-e View 12 Photos News Source: Automotive News Europe, Teslarati, ZolecoImage Credit: Opel Design/Style Green Plants/Manufacturing GM Automakers Tesla Opel Fuel Efficiency Green Automakers Electric recharge wrapup