Opel is presenting for the first time in public at the 2023 Munich Motor Show its concept called Experimental, which gives us a glimpse of the future lines of the brand’s models.
A little less than a month after being able to discover the first photos, here is that Opel is bringing to the Munich 2023 motor show – which opens its doors to the public on September 5 – its latest concept: the Opel Experimental.
“Experimental” is a name that we have already been able to discover in the Opel universe, in particular on the one called GT X Experimental – this dates back to 2017 – and which announced almost exactly the current Mokka -e. Should we therefore see in this new study of Experimental style a future model of the brand? Certainly.
And perhaps even more precisely the future Manta, a 100% electric coupé SUV which will arrive from the middle of the decade, even though the Blitz brand has planned to offer only zero-emission models from 2028.
Aesthetically, Opel does not hide the fact that many elements visible on this concept will indeed be on the future generation of models of the brand. What immediately catches the eye is this front face which takes up the famous name of Vizor, dear to the brand, but which reworks the mask in question to offer a new identity. Goodbye chrome, and hello lights, here Opel presents us with both a logo and a central edge of the bright bonnet.
The future face of the brand
Note that the black grille that stretches across the width adds a transparent dimension, allowing to hide all kinds of radar, lidar and other sensors and cameras. The three-zone Ronal rims are particularly efficient, while they are shod with Goodyear tires made of recycled rubber.
At the rear we find the luminous cross which we notice at the front with both a thin transverse luminous strip, just cut by the lettering of the brand name, which is also luminous. The vertical light acts as a third brake light. All of the body lines and surfaces of this coupé SUV have a simplified, smooth design, which corresponds to the need for efficiency and aerodynamics.
Holograms instead of screens
Inside, too, this Experimental concept from Opel presents the solutions for the Opel of tomorrow. Let’s talk about the space, bigger than the exterior would have you believe, since in the dimensions of a C-segment vehicle, Opel fits a D-segment cabin. As is often the case on electric cars, the lack of mechanics to increase the wheelbase.
The seats are very thin thanks to a structure made of durable materials, and the fabrics used are in 3D mesh. And then there is the digital experience which is not based here on screens, but on projected holograms which take over from artificial intelligence and voice control. Finally, the fabrics used on the dashboard are electrochromic and allow light signals to pass through.
2025 on our roads
On the mechanical side, Opel does not specify anything about this Experimental concept, which foreshadows the future Manta coupe SUV. A probably relatively close cousin within the Stellantis galaxy of the recent Peugeot 408, which could take over the recently presented IBIS battery system. By replacing the charger and the inverter with electronic cards as close as possible to the lithium-ion cells, this technology supplies the motor with alternating current created from the batteries. This reduces both the weight and the size of the batteries. And the price of future electric models.
It remains to be seen when the Experimental will give birth to a production car. And it will probably be necessary to wait until at least 2025 before the resulting 100% electric coupe SUV that is already called Manta arrives on our roads.
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