|  General Motors will present the all-new 2007 Opel GT to the public for the first time at the Geneva Motor Show. With exciting, sharply-cut lines, rear-wheel drive, and a potent four-cylinder turbo engine with gasoline direct injection, the new sports car "echoes the successful concept of the original GT, which was built between 1968 and 1973," the company says. The GT is based on the same platform as the Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky. It also borrows heavily from the design of both cars. The original Opel GT owed much to the USA, as well. Its lines were inspired by a new American design style, the so-called “coke bottle shapel?, which also defined the Corvette Stingray.
The new Opel GT is fun to drive thanks to its front engine and rear-wheel drive, which together ensure a balanced weight distribution, and its 260-hp 2.0-liter ECOTEC turbo engine with gasoline direct injection. This accelerates the new GT from zero to 60 mph in less than six seconds, and enables a maximum speed of over 143 mph. Another fun factor is the fabric roof, which folds down to provide open-air enjoyment denied to the owners of the first GT. The roof disappears completely beneath a cover, further underlining the GT’s sporty silhouette with short overhangs and widely spaced 18-inch wheels A glance at the new Opel GT makes clear that there’s pure sport under the skin; sharp, taut lines and flowing surfaces combine to give it true dynamic presence. The front view is dominated by the pronounced curve of the fenders and the bold chrome strip with lightning-flash logo. The long, front-hinged engine hood carries the familiar Opel crease. Another signal of sportiness is sounded off by the GT’s proportions (length/width/height: 4091/1813/1274 mm) with short overhangs and 18-inch wheels that are pushed to the corners of the body. When opened, the soft top is completely concealed under a cover, thus emphasizing the GT’s roadster character. Other attractive styling details are the projection-type low beam and halogen reflector-type high beam headlamps. The ergonomic cockpit features chrome-ringed dials for speed, rpm and fuel. Technical grains, piano black and chrome finishes combine with optionally available leather seats to emphasize high value and precision. Jewel-style controls for lights and ventilation are further evidence of the GT designers’ careful attention to detail. The heart of the new Opel GT is the most powerful production engine in the ECOTEC family. The turbocharged unit was jointly developed by GM Powertrain engineers in the USA and Europe and is related to the ECOTEC 2.2-liter direct fuel injection engine available in the Vectra and Signum. From a displacement of two-liters, it develops a power output of 191 kW/ 260 hp and a maximum torque of 350 Nm, available from 2500 rpm. Direct injection technology helps the ECOTEC engine produce more power while maintaining the lower fuel consumption level of a small displacement engine with conventional fuel injection. The 2.0-liter turbocharged ECOTEC engine features variable valve timing, a dual-scroll turbocharger and a charge-air intercooler. This type of turbocharger, similar to the one already introduced in the Vectra and Signum V6, improves engine response, which also benefits from variable camshaft phasing. The result is ample torque even at low engine speeds.
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