A promising sign of life from GM's ailing German subsidiary.
Desperate to turn around its fortunes in the contracting European market, GM's German subsidiary Opel has launched a stunning concept at this year’s Frankfurt auto show: the Monza. Of course, the Monza nameplate was a part of Opel’s lineup in the 1970s and ’80s, the last example of which was the GSE, which received then-futuristic digital instrumentation, setting somewhat of a precedent for this concept. With Buick and Opel's lineups often converging, the Monza has implications for GM's near-luxury brand as well.
Dubbed "a role model for future Opel cars," the Monza concept resembles a shooting brake, and a relatively large one at that, measuring 184.6 inches long. It’s also especially low at 51.6 inches. The four generous seats are positioned extremely low to the ground, 5.9 inches more so than in most of Opel’s other offerings, according to the brand. Access is gained via large gullwing doors similar to those on the 1967 Lamborghini Marzal concept. The Monza is setting the tone for future Opel vehicles, says Opel and Buick chief designer Mark Adams. That's good, because it looks gorgeous.
Under the skin, there is an electric motor and a turbocharged 1.0-liter three-cylinder range extender powered by natural gas. Opel says the Monza Concept can be fitted with a wide range of powertrains, but declines to be specific.
Opel is particularly proud of the Monza's interior and infotainment system. The dashboard is used as a surface to display a multifunction display powered by 18 LED projectors. This massive, door-to-door instrument panel can be configured via voice commands or steering-wheel-mounted controls. Opel says its designers "were first to think of implementing it in a passenger car," but we recall a similar technology in the Chevrolet Camaro concept unveiled in 2006.
Setting the pace for autonomous driving, the Monza showcases advanced car-to-car and car-to-X technology, and is fitted with social-media functions that offer connectivity and distraction. To minimize those distractions, Opel came up with three levels of connectivity: Me, Us, and All. The Me function essentially disconnects the driver’s phone, while Us connects passengers with the car’s infotainment system as well as the outside world. And then there’s All, which connects the Monza with “the whole internet community.” Opel did provide an example of this internet-wide connection, in which planned routes can be shared with friends and connections, allowing those nearby the opportunity to potentially hitch a ride. Opel says this is a “contribution to a harmonious, connected society.” That, and a good way to turn your personal ride into a small-scale form of public transportation. For a brand that’s struggling for attention in the way Opel is, we suppose the Monza serving as a shuttle bus for owners’ Twitter followers is as much attention as the brand could ask for.
http://www.caranddriver.com/news/opel-monza-concept-photos-and-info-news
