Opel Volt coming to Europe in 2011

The Opel FLEXtreme Concept

The E Flex Drive that powers the Chevy Volt will make its way into Europe, as an Opel, in 2011 according to multiple reports. While the final design of the concept has not been hammered out, it will not look like the Volt. Nonetheless, it could share some Volt design cues that were driven by the aerodynamics.

In the past, GM has displayed the Opel FLEXtreme as one design idea for the Opel E Flex vehicle. However, this design might be as plausible in the wind tunnels as was the original Chevy Volt concept.

In the interim, GM is going to be working with European leaders to develop plug-in stations for the modern urbanites in Europe without garage access.

GM to sell E Flex hybrids in Europe in 3 years

Opel Flextreme: Europe's Chevy Volt?

Reuters is reporting that GM's Europe chief Carl-Peter Forster told reporters there that GM plans to offer E Flex vehicles in Europe in 3 years. The E Flex Drive is the same powertrain that will power the Chevy Volt, as the Volt is the first, but not the only, E Flex vehicle.

"We are investing an enormous amount. We will launch these cars in Europe, both as Opel and as Chevrolet, in around three years," Forster told an auto conference in Berlin.

I say this is more evidence that the new design of the Volt is not the failure many think. The Volt, in my opinion, is much more about the E Flex Drive than it is the Chevy Volt. And, if you like this Flextreme design better than the Volt, GM has already debuted a similar Saturn Flextreme concept as well.

Flex Brothers: Chevy Volt and Cadillac Provoq

E Flex is about more than the Volt

The Chevy Volt is over-rated. Why? Because the car, rather than the technology, is always the focus. For example, while the Toyota Prius is a great car, it's the Hybrid Synergy Drive that matters most, and the same can be said of the E Flex Drive.

Most important, the E Flex drive is not limited to the Volt. Already, GM has showed off the Opel Flextreme which is also an E Flex vehicle. And GM is now ready to show off another E Flex vehicle at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas tomorrow, the Cadillac Provoq. Read more..

GM to build the Volt in the U.S.

A bright future for U.S. auto production?

If GM's Bob Lutz is to be believed then the E Flex Platform that will power the Chevy Volt plug-in hybrid, as well as the Opel Flextreme, is a critical piece of GM's future.

Thus, it was great to hear that the Volt is almost certainly going to be produced in America.

"The UAW gave GM the union-managed health-care fund the automaker wanted, in exchange for GM's commitment to build some future models in U.S. plants by UAW workers. Among those future vehicles was believed to be the Volt," wrote an Edmunds writer the other day.

Hopefully, a vehicle like Volt can truly recharge the U.S. auto industry.

Flextreme versus the Volt

This isn't American?

When GM debuted that Chevy Volt plug-in hybrid I was extremely excited. Lightweight materials, such as plastic composites, not only made the vehicle lighter, but enabled unique design lines and curves.

Still, what really excited me about the Volt was not the design, but the technology, at least the potential technology - a plug-in hybrid vehicle that could act like an electric vehicle for most daily commutes, with the ability to also use liquid fuel.

What's not to like in that?

Then GM debuted the Opel Flextreme plug-in hybrid. The Flextreme is, essentially, built upon the same technology as the Volt, but I think the design is so much better. Maybe it is too Jetsons-looking for some, but this design kicks the Volt's ass in my opinion.

Pictures just don't do this concept justice. For a full 360 degree view, check out the video from Brightcove.tv.

The hot, hot Opel Flextreme - Video, etc.

Way better than the Volt!

I love this Opel Flextreme. Forget the Chevy Volt, I want the Flextreme, baby!

After checking out some video on this beauty, I'm ready to move to Europe if that is the only place where GM is going to sell the Opel Flextreme hybrid. The Volt is just too crudely American for my design tastes.

If I could whisper into Bob Lutz's ear I'd tell him to turn this beautiful baby into a dual mode hybrid right now! This is a Prius contender! This car as a dual mode hybrid, rather than an E-Flex hybrid, would instantly put GM's hybrid vehicles on the map. Convert it to an E-flex later. Give it to us now!!!!!

If you want to check out some video on the Flextreme, check out the link below. And, if you've never been to an autoshow to see a debut of a concept car, there is also a great episode there as well.

See the videos.

Europe's Volt: The Opel Flextreme

Almost next-gen Prius-like?

I was pretty sick yesterday, yet when I saw this new Opel Flextreme hybrid concept yesterday, I felt a little better. Of course, then I realized this was GM's take on a Flex Drive car for Europe, not America, and I felt sick again.

OK, all kidding aside, I like this Opel hybrid far better than the Chevy Volt - America's Flex Drive concept car. Sure it kind of resembles Toyota's next generation hybrids, but it also resembles GM's fuel cell vehicles.

More important, however, can GM make the flex drive work?

Bob Lutz has been claiming that GM will beat Toyota to market with lithium powered vehicles by as much as one year. I say that's a bold prediction. Will those lithium hybrids be cost-effective? Will there be a very limited first production? Will a secondary lease on the battery scare buyers away? Could a premature rush to market result in an accident?

When GM doesn't yet have a fully functional Volt, or other flex drive vehicle, it seems odd to predict a sale date when the vehicle cannot even be road-tested for safety.

Ohhh, the hype is just starting.

I get the feeling that GM and Toyota are heading into a PR war of major proportions, and that's O.K. because this P.R. war will have to follow up with results. That means the chances for consumers to buy 100 mpg hybrid vehicles early in the next decade are looking good. With such hype, anything less will be seen as failure.