Opel Flextreme: In Depth

Press Release

Extremely Flexible – A Short Story About Versatility

Innovative body solutions from the inventor of the European station wagon

The history of automobile flexibility at Opel started with the station wagon: in 1953 the Rüsselsheim automaker introduced the first station wagon to the market and coined the generic term CarAVan. More than 50 years later, Opel is still trendsetter with elegant and practical station wagons, a synthesis of chic sedan and spacious commercial vehicle. The concept was described in an Opel brochure over 50 years ago: “With just a few turns and minimal effort, the rear seats are folded down – the elegant people carrier Opel station wagon turns into a utility vehicle with high service value and real economy.”

A major further development of the station wagon concept was made with the compact vans Zafira (1998) and Meriva (2001). Thanks to their monospace body, they offer not only optimum use of space, but also impressive versatility. While owners of conventional vans always have to decide before they drive off if they need room for a lot of luggage or lots of seats, the Flex7 system in the best-selling Opel Zafira solves this dilemma: all seven seats are always on board. The two single seats in the third row can be folded down into the car floor as needed, and the center bench seat can be folded down and slid forward.

The Meriva is configured a bit differently. Maximum flexibility is built into the second row of seats, which can be turned into two separate seats with maximum leg and elbow room, into a three-seat bench seat or, for maximum luggage space, simply be folded down. In 2001, the Opel top model Signum showed that a van body is not absolutely necessary for such versatility. Like in the Meriva, the individual rear seats can be slid longitudinally and the seat backs can be tilted. A third seat can also be folded out when needed. The separate seats are easily and quickly folded down to create a station wagon-like load area. The flexible configuration of the rear seats allows for varying luggage compartment volume as needed.

The Tigra TwinTop and Astra TwinTop interpret body flexibility very differently: both are a coupé and cabrio in one. They feature a retractable steel roof that disappears into the luggage compartment at the touch of a button. To maintain the trunk’s roominess, the four-seat Astra TwinTop is designed with a three-part roof that folds together in a very space-saving manner.

The rear carrier system Flex-Fix offered in the Corsa and Antara takes luggage flexibility even further. Like a drawer, it can be pulled out of the rear bumper and can carry two bicycles or a large box for additional luggage. The Opel principle also applies to Flex-Fix – no tools are needed, nothing has to be built in or taken out.

Opel engineers have also shown their creativity in details. The new Corsa comes standard with a dual luggage compartment floor. It can be fixed in various horizontal positions, depending on load capacity needs. If it is not needed at all, it can be tucked away in a holder on the rear bench seat back.

The Flex-Organizer system enables neat organization of the large luggage spaces in the Astra and Vectra station wagons as well as in the Antara. All kinds of transport containers and nets can be hooked into its aluminum rails, so even smaller or fragile cargo is always safely stowed away. Of course all Opel station wagons and vans come with an easy-to-install luggage net that separates and protects the passengers from the luggage compartment. In all models, it can be easily installed behind the rear seats, or in maximum loading space configuration, behind the front seats.

A completely different kind of flexibility in many Opel models comes with the TwinAudio system. It allows passengers in the rear and front seats to listen to different entertainment programs, thanks to two headset sockets in the center rear console and a car radio that can simultaneously play two stations or a CD and a radio station.