Opel has brought its new range extender concept, the Flextreme GT/E, to Geneva.
Designed primarily to show how range extension tech from the dreary Ampera can be applied to larger cars, the Flextreme is apparently also here to show us where Vauxhall's design language is going - so worth a look.
The Flextreme GT/E is about the same size as an Insignia, so significantly larger than an Ampera. It's also equipped with aerodynamic blades which help manage air flow over the back of the car and help deliver an ultra low drag coefficient of 0.22.
Vauxhall/Opel claims that the theoretical range of the car is 300 miles. This is possible thanks to a 161hp, 273lb ft electric motor and a 69bhp 1.4-litre petrol unit. The 'leccy unit can only really go 40 miles before it runs out of puff and has to be assisted by the petrol unit, but this tandem system means it can theoretically achieve 175mpg.
The range is all well and good, but if it barely moves the whole exercise is pointless. Thankfully the Flextreme can hit 62mph in around nine seconds and go on to 125mph, so it's not as bad as we feared it might be.
So while we won't be getting the Ampera just yet, we do know that a D-segment electric range extender is possible, and probably on the way.
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