Opel brought to Geneva a prototype that left the salon jaw-dropping: the Opel GT Concept.
Despite the excellent reception of the Opel GT Concept in Geneva, the German brand has no intention of producing it.I let a few weeks elapse since our return from the Geneva Motor Show to give the brand a chance to consider the matter, hoping to see a statement in my e-mail “Opel is going ahead with the production of the GT Concept”. Nothing! But a rear-wheel-drive model, coupe-style, 1.0 Turbo petrol engine with 145 hp and 205 Nm of torque, had everything to go right…
NOTE: Answer the survey at the end of the article “Should Opel produce GT Concept: yes or no?”
During the days we were in Geneva, I had the opportunity to interview Boris Jacob (BJ), head of design at Opel and I asked him: “Boris, are you going to produce the Opel GT Concept?”. The answer of this responsible for the brand was neither yes nor no, it was a “neem”.
BJ – Unfortunately Guilherme, it is not in our plans to transfer the Opel GT Concept to the production lines. But you never know, all our prototypes have the particularity that they can hypothetically go into production.
Boris, if they don't produce the Opel GT, it's like showing a child a candy and then taking it out. You know that, don't you? And you know that this should be a crime...
BJ – Yes we know (laughs). But let me tell you that this concept inspired by the original Opel GT began to be thought about two years ago, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Opel Design Studio, and was born with a very clear purpose: to show Opel trends for the future . There's something about that car that still attracts everyone today and we wanted to find out why. We came to the conclusion that it was its simplicity. There's nothing redundant or accessory about its design, it's all simple and organic. The question was: will it be possible to do something similar in sec. XXI?
A new interpretation?
BJ – That's right, a new interpretation. It's not imitating, it's doing differently. And I honestly think we did it. We tried to do something responsible, without being too ostentatious. Proper engine, right portions and of course… connectivity. We want the Opel GT Concept to be seen as a kind of road companion who interacts with us and understands us. In the background, hands on the wheel and eyes on the road. The voice system, for example, is very advanced.
When are we going to see this type of technology in your production models?
BJ - Briefly. None of this is science fiction and it already exists – look at the Opel OnStar example of the new Astra and Mokka. The technologies present in this prototype are a sample of the next step that the brand will take.
Speaking of design, this kind of aesthetic boldness is not common at Opel…
BJ – Allow me to disagree William. At Opel, we are bold, we just don't like to overload our models with elements that in our opinion cause noise. We want the aesthetics of our models to last and remain current for many years to come. Deep down, we want everything to have a purpose. It's not a simple exercise, but it's what we've been trying to do model by model. Including the Opel GT.
Since we are next to the Opel GT, give me examples of this “one detail, one purpose” philosophy.
BJ – The front grill! If you notice, we draw these two friezes as if two hands were holding the symbol of the brand. As a gift.
Is the Opel GT a gift?
BJ – Yes, we can say yes. A gift for all people who love cars, who like modernity and who see themselves in our brand.
Okay Boris, speaking of gifts. Everyone is speculating about the future of this Opel GT Concept. Will it be produced or not?
BJ – I'm sure that after this reception there will be some people at the brand thinking about it…
overdue but not convincedGiven Boris Jacob's responses – and considering the model's receptivity in Geneva – I didn't give up hope of seeing the Opel GT on national roads one day.
A week later, another trip. Not to Geneva, but to the Douro – we went to the presentation of the new Opel Astra Sports Tourer (see here). I expected to find Boris there (despite his belonging to Opel's advanced design department), but he didn't – he still came across a very boring Portuguese guy with a name starting in “Gui” and ending in “herme”.
But I found Pedro Lazarino, Product Manager for Opel Compact Cars, Minivans and Crossovers – in other words, one of the men who run Opel. Again the question: “Pedro, are you going to make the Opel GT Concept?”. Pedro Lazarino's response was more forceful, “it's a niche product, very complex and with dubious profitability. We have everything we need to produce it but we shouldn't do it… it's risky”.
What is your opinion?Mazda launched a new generation of the MX-5, Fiat ventured with the reissue of the mythical 124 Spider, Toyota launched headlong into the production of the GT-86. Counting that these models are being successful in the market (in the case of the 124 Spider the commercialization has not yet taken off) and that Opel has “everything that is needed” to produce a worthy successor to the original Opel GT, I ask you: should it or not to do it? To risk or not to risk?
A lightweight coupé, with a vitamin-filled engine, a low price tag and a sweeping design. Winning formula? Leave us your opinion in this survey, if you agree with us, we promise to call the brand and say what the Portuguese petrolheads think about the matter.