Opel Flextreme: In Depth

Press Release

Lightweight Honeycomb Elements and Informative Panorama Display

• Honeycomb structures for less weight and higher rigidity
• Cameras provide all-around view of vehicle surroundings
• Practical drawer system with recharging option for iPod, etc.

The interior of the Opel Flextreme is dominated by elegant silver tones, and the wings of the instrument panel flows into the door trim, enhancing the feel of spaciousness. Different to pure driver-oriented cockpits, passengers here will not feel excluded.

Honeycomb structures, which are characterized by low weight and high rigidity, are used extensively in the Flextreme’s interior. This functional, geometric pattern can be found in the instrument panel’s lower portion, the cabin floor, the cargo floor and above the center tunnel where the lithium-ion batteries are located. The wing-shaped upper part of the instrument panel also has a honeycomb-design grain.

Light and elegant: Seats mounted on monorails

Purely decorative elements such as chrome trim have been dispensed with to save weight. Innovative lightweight construction was used for the seats, which are anchored to the car’s floor by mono tracks rather than the usual two. This enhances foot room for the rear passengers. The seats have a light and elegant look thanks to the refined fabric/mesh upholstery and seat corners made of especially soft material. An unusual detail is the silicon inserts in the floor mats which prevent feet from slipping from the pedals and also reduce noise.

The comparatively thin steering wheel rim with aluminum spokes highlights the Flextreme’s lightweight design philosophy. Despite its small size the steering wheel hub houses a full-size driver airbag. Despite its volume, the airbag has compact installation dimensions as it is not folded up in the conventional way, but with the help of a vacuum to save as much space as possible.

Control center: 180-degree panoramic display

The panorama display in the interior is especially eye-catching. Set directly under the windshield, the large display (size: 1.2 m x 0.1 m) means the driver no longer has to look away from the road to receive information. The three fields on the panorama display are reconfigurable. They can show a complete all-around view of the car’s surroundings, as instead of exterior mirrors the Flextreme has two side cameras, one front-facing and one rear-view camera. The dreaded blind spot, where cyclists or other vehicles can easily be overlooked, no longer exists thanks to this modern technology.

Alternatively, the display fields can also show information about the car or animations. When a telephone call comes in via the integrated GSM phone, a picture of the caller can automatically be shown, enabling the Flextreme driver to decide whether to take the call without having to read the number or name.

Always up-to-date: Programmable touch-screens

A second display on the center console features touch-screen control. At the top, the programmable one touch buttons are designed like computer shortcuts. They provide easy access to various intuitive menus. As infotainment technology evolves during the life span of a vehicle, the user interface can be re-programmed to allow control of new infotainment systems.

Slightly further down is the Flextreme’s touch screen drive selector gate with three driving positions: D, P and R (drive, park and reverse). The gears can also be selected via touch screen control. An electric handbrake replaces the conventional mechanical component and there is no longer an ignition key. Superimposed information such as “system is ready” or “electric handbrake activated” inform the driver of the car’s status.

Two further instruments behind the steering wheel provide the driver with essential vehicle data, including battery charge level and whether the battery is being charged by regenerative braking, i.e. the resulting electrical energy from braking or from overrun.

New color concept: A warm red light fills the interior

Flextreme also features the new instrument lighting concept demonstrated in the Opel GTC Coupé concept car at the Geneva Motor Show in 2007. Instead of the traditional amber tone, a warm, lively red now gives the interior ambience more character and emotional appeal.

Storage: Flexible system for front and rear passengers

The Opel Flextreme’s battery is housed where you would find the center or drivetrain tunnel in conventional vehicles. The rechargeable battery cells are under a dark-tinted cover in honeycomb design. A clever storage system at the front and back of the battery tunnel offers the brand-typical flexibility.

Front and rear passengers can stow items such as mobile phones, MP3 players, iPods and PDAs in two sliding drawers. The best part: the electrical devices are recharged in the drawers by induction and Bluetooth-capable systems can transmit their data to the onboard infotainment system.