Vauxhall gears up for the Geneva Motor Show with this magnificent concept

Vauxhall and Opel has got almost zero presence in our country and no matter what we worldly travelers hope, the brand will not be making a premiere here anytime soon. But looking at the new concept that the company just released we’re hoping that maybe at least the sports cars would trickle down our direction.

Introducing the Vauxhall GT Concept, the concept car that will become the face of all future sports cars from the company. This front-mid engine configuration will ensure the car has a low centre of gravity with a long bonnet that houses a 1.0-litre, three-cylinder turbocharged engine that is created based on the current Vauxhall line-up.

Vauxhall claims the GT Concept’s engine will produce 143bhp and 205Nm of torque that will be delivered to the rear-wheel. The engine is mated to a six-speed sequential transmission with paddle shifters mounted behind the steering wheel. The GT Concept will be able to make the century sprint in less than eight seconds and a max speed of 215kph.

Weighing in at only 1000kg, the GT Concept features large doors with integrated side windows, and since there are no door handles (neither does the car have side mirrors) passengers will have to gain access via a touchpad integrated in the roof. Cameras on the wheel arches replaces side mirrors displaying the footage on monitors installed on the sides of the cabin.

The GT Concept has a massive windscreen that flows into the panoramic sunroof available giving occupants a similar experience of a targa-topped car. Vauxhall is especially proud of the ultra-modern headlamp and indicators installed on the concept car, the award winning IntelliLux LED matrix lighting that has been upgraded to allow glare-free high-beam driving.

To create the GT Concept, Vauxhall has drawn inspiration from the 1964 GT Concept, the first concept that has the styling model to be produced by the nascent Vauxhall Design & Engineering Centre in Luton. More importantly the concept pays homage two significant motor show cars: the 1966 Vauxhall XVR and the 1965 Opel Experimental GT. The first true concept vehicles the design houses to appear from European manufacturer.

Well we’re looking forward to another awesome car to feast our eyes on come the Geneva Motor Show. March cannot come sooner. But first, we have to get pass Chinese New Year. Ear plugs please!

Jerrica Leong