Opel Still Trying To Build A Business Case For Production GT
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The Opel GT made quite a splash when it was revealed at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show earlier this year and it instantly had fans clamoring for a production run of the iconic sports car. Opel chairman, Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann, has been a tad aloof with plans for production, but recently reinvigorated hope for GT faithful.
Autocar reports Opel and Vauxhall are quite busy behind the scenes building a business case for the small sports car. Neumann himself expressed his love for the GT concept and hope for production.
“It’s a car we all love and the public love, so we really want to build it. The question is what the right approach is, so we are studying different directions we could follow.”
The main problem Opel is encountering is the lack of a proper platform for a production GT. Rear-wheel drive is key to keeping its iconic proportions, and Opel thinks it has two years to make a decision before its design loses appeal.
The Opel chief added, “The platform is a complication.”
Artist’s interpretation of a production GT.
He also tossed out the possibility of creating a “parts-bin” RWD platform, citing too much engineering and cost to do so. This means Opel will have to look to a partner for creating a proper platform.
Previously, it was rumored GM’s Chinese joint venture partner, SAIC, could provide building blocks for a production Opel GT, which owns British car brand MG. Opel also reportedly had been tinkering with a tweaked all-wheel drive system from the Mokka to create a new GT.
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I am 100% behind the effort to get the GT into production BUT however they do it, or whoever they do it with, IT MUST BE AVAILABLE IN BOTH LH & RHD – NO IFF’S NO BUT’S. We don’t need another total cock up like the Ampera-e fiasco.
Wonder why not the Alpha? Or would that count as “parts bin”?
Alpha might be a bit too big but I don’t see why it couldn’t be modified to fit, I suppose it depends just how real the effort is to get it into production.
I mean there’s a Chevy concept besides the camaro that’s based on the alpha platform and it looks about the same size as the GT
Way too big.
Opel could partner with another manufactur like JLR.
The auto industry could save a lot swapping parts. I’m sure Jaguar would like to use Omega.
Why not developing the platform with Chevrolet and Cadillac for the GT and two American carsone for Chevy and the other for Cady
Throw some cash at Mazda for the Miata platform. That’s about as good as it gets. Then put the Stingray motor in it. Enthusiasts will be screaming on the roof tops.
A partnership platform is a good idea but I don’t think the Europeans have the appreciation for a good V8. They prefer turbo 4S and hissing sounds.
They can have a turbo-4/6, v8 can be a stateside-only option.
It’s not that we Europeans don’t like V8s, quite the contrary, it’s that European governments tax cars based on displacement and CO2-emissions. So a turbo-4 is way more interesting to own than a big V-8. To give you an idea: my CTS turbo 4 gets a 400 euro/year road tax and a 330 €/month emissions tax (because I have it as a company car). The CTS-V with V8 gets a 4000 €/year road tax and a 850 €/month emissions tax… You can assume 1 euro is about the same a 1 dollar. And on top there’s the taxation on fuel: 1 gallon (=3.79 liters) here costs about 5.60 euros. That’s also why diesels are so popular in Europe: less fuel consumption and less taxes.
Fiat Chrysler already has a deal for the Miata. Hence the Mopar stamping on the inside of the 124 Abarth’s hood. Isn’t going to happen.
Why not the boy’s at Hethel? Better than a Miata, and GM have worked with them before!
That’s a good idea glen, it worked with the VX220 so why not with the new GT
I’d much rather see Opel team up with Buick to build a business case for an Avista!
GM bas the ressource to build a platform for the Opel GT, Buick Avista, Chevrolet Code 130 and a Cadillac sibling with engine choice from 4 cylinders to V8
G.M plan to move from 26 platforms to just 4 global platforms by 2025. The real debate is whether the overall cost reductions generated by moving product to common architectures will increase the likelihood of small volume vanity projects, or will G.M become ever more laser focused on the business case of every model? Peugeot couldn’t make the case for an RCZ replacement, so what chance Vauxhall Opel, currently bleeding cash because Of The collapse in UK Sterling? Lotus (IMHO) seems to be the most logical partner, if this ever gets off the ground!