Test Drive Opel GT since 2007 Convertible

I want to see the sky ...

In the rear-view mirror, a squat roadster with convex front wings, aggressive air intakes in the bumper and huge headlights. What is it? Lotus? Corvette? Viper? As it turned out, this is a new Opel GT!
It became clear when on a short straight car caught up with us and, driving a motor, went on overtaking. I have already seen him at the Geneva Motor Show and Bologna last year. In the light of Sofitov, he looked bright and attractive. GT has become a real show-stopper of exhibition stands General Motors. Already then I was interested to know what this roadster in the dynamics, what feelings gives the driver. I remember, I even laid a little: it would be nice to go on a journey on this spectacular car somewhere in California that, the dreams of automotive journalists sometimes coincide with reality.
 
Prior to the presentation of the new Opel GT in Palm Springs, Oasis billionaires and Hollywood stars in the California desert, we drove through the mountains on the updated Opel Astra. It is on serpentine and our first fleeting meeting took place with a new Symbol of the Opel Rhodster of GT. Touch it in the case of ourselves for the next day
 
Recalling the GT test, I did not suspect what a surprise prepared the organizers to us. At a press conference preceding the test drive, we met with Erhard Schnell by the designer of the first Opel GT, a cult car of the late 60s of the 70s. And beyond the gates of the hotel we were waiting for the most legendary Opel GT of the first generation! We had to make a short mileage through the streets of Palm Springs on these amazing cars that have become a classic automotive design.
 
In 1972, the penultimate in the history of the first generation of Opel GT, I was only born, and therefore, in relation to this, I simply could not have any nostalgic memories. And still feeling exciting. I seemed to be a member of the film, shot 35 years ago. The scenery is realistic not invent. Palm Springs The ideal habitat for this car, created under the influence of a new style in the design of those times Coke Bottle Shape (Bottle Form Coca-Cola). Mountains, palm trees, neon advertising, infinitely long and wide streets of one-story America. By the way, 70% of 103464 Opel GT released from 1968 to 1973 were sold in the United States. Erhard Schnell says that the task of designers was not only to create a spectacular and fashionable car, but also thoroughly work out his aerodynamics. During a short race through the streets Palm Springs, I, of course, could not recognize the character of the first generation GT, but I had a whole day to understand how his heir ride.
You take me with you
Boredom and Roadster concepts are incompatible. Designers of the new Opel GT did everything to keep potential buyers indifferent. Wide rut, low landing, long hood, minimal bodies. The surfaces of convex and muscular, 18-inch wheels deliberately protrude from the wheeled arches. One of the most spectacular details of pseudo-governors, located behind the head restraints of the driver and passenger. As it became clear during the test, these are not just decorative details that resemble the characteristic design of sports cars of the past, but also quite practical aerodynamic elements that reduce the level of air streams in the Roadster salon. The appearance of the new GT attracts like a magnet. Surprisingly, despite the aggressive, bordering out the appearance appearance, considering this car does not bother.
 
But before starting the journey, it is necessary to fold the roof and pack the luggage. Yes, no wonder the test drive warned that we leave all the unnecessary in the hotel. Rhodster trunk microscopic even with a roof raised. If you fold the cloth, the useful space is enough only for shipping in the form of two laptops. No more.
 
The process of turning GT in an open car is pleasant when you are waiting for a sunny day and a picturesque road. In this case, on some miscalculations of designers responsible for the mechanism of folding the roof, you somehow do not pay attention. In another situation, the process of turning the rhodster into an open car and, on the contrary, it is unlikely to deliver pleasure. Raising the cloth is handed to lift. With this one could come to terms if the hands were for what to catch. And so you need to pull over the edge of the roof. After the top is raised, two of its rear aerodynamic angle must be fixed in special locks-holes, and pull out the front of the castle an uncomfortable handle and fix on the windshield frame. Not to say, of course, that this procedure requires some inhuman efforts, but still ergonomics is not fully thought out.
 
The Opel GT salon is convenient for both the driver and the passenger only under the condition that you have not taken anything superfluous with you. There are no containers and niches for the transport of all sorts of little things. An amazing fact: in the car, in many ways oriented on American tastes, there are no cup holders.
 
But on a driver's and passenger seat, I was quite comfortable with my standard 180 cm of growth. Seats with pronounced lateral support are comfortable and regularly perform their function to hold the driver in steep turns. The falling out of the chair also does not give a tightly adjacent covering of the driver's door and a high transmission tunnel.
 
The steering wheel is not compact and is adjusted only in height, but it is easy to choose a convenient posture. The brightest detail of the interior, in my opinion, is a short gear lever. He asks in his hand. The range of its movements is minimal in sports, but when switching the box lacks definition.
 
The interior design fully corresponds to the exciting appearance of the rhodster. Two color solutions are offered: the classic black and combination of dark red and black. The central console and the transmission tunnel are decorated with black, sparkling like the surface of the piano plastic, which is harmoniously combined with silver inserts. Ventilation lattices and control devices of lighting devices, as it should be a sports car in chrome edging. The form and style of the GT interior fully correspond to the spirit of the sports car, but the quality of the materials could be better. Not enough attention to detail. Inside the car of the car, but it seems some kind of toy. It feels that the style was developed in Europe. GT was drawn in GM Advanced Design Studio, located in the British city of Coventry. But it is absolutely clear that the car was collected in the USA (Opel GT is produced in Wilmington, Delaware).
 
Finishing the reasoning about the appearance of the new Opel GT, I would note that he caused genuine interest among the motley American automotive public. Question what is this car? sounded at each third traffic light. Opel GT, we answered. Americans in Lexus, Dodgesh and Chevrolet nodded, but it was clear that this phrase does not mean anything for them. Then we explained that GT is a technical analogue of Pontiac Solstice models and Saturn Sky, recently appearing in the US market, and then Yankees understood the thumb.
Dont Worry, Be Happy
Unlike the first generation Opel GT, which was built on the basis of the Kadett mass model, for the modern GT, a fully original platform was developed. The basis of the rodster framework of steel pipes made by hydroforming. They are integrated into the power frame. Such a solution is distinguished by high strength, impressive rigidity for tapping and relatively low mass just what the open rhodster needs. Similar frame design has, by the way, the legendary Chevrolet Corvette. The hydroforming method was used and in the manufacture of the body's bodybases: the hood, doors, side panels. This method is more complicated and more expensive than stamping, but allows you to make elements of a more complex configuration.
 
The test drive organizers laid the perfect route to check the rhodster. Straight as booster boom, winding mountain serpentines, unhurried picturesque locals. Let's see what a GT is.
 
Until now, none of the Opel motors could boast a specific power of 132 hp / l! Fully aluminum turbocharged engine with direct injection gives 264 hp With 5300 rpm, and the maximum torque reaches 353 nm in the range of 25005000 rpm. The engine disperses the roadster to 100 km / h in just 5.7 s, the maximum speed is 230 km / h.
 
The car is friendly to the driver and passenger. Despite the uncompromising appearance of a sports car, GT is comfortable and easy to manage. The turn of the key in the ignition lock and the driver and the passenger will not shudder from the rockness of the exhaust pipes. On the gearbox lever and other motor pulse controls are not transmitted. The engine works very smoothly due to two balancing shafts. Effort on clutch pedals as on a regular car. The steering wheel is easy (in my opinion, even excessively for the rhodster). GT get used to quickly, which is unusual for a similar type of cars. Suspension is not furry. Speed \u200b\u200bfeel not on the roar of the motor and shogging the fifth point, but according to the playful gusts of the wind in the cabin. Note that when the roofs lowered and the raised side glasses in the cockpit, quite comfortable microclimate and at speeds for 120 km / h are preserved. And even at 150 km / h, you can not raise voices. It was not afraid to move in space in the limit modes in GT, not because the speed is felt. I feared the harsh road police.
 
Chassis Opel GT is a classic. Longly located engine, cardan transmission, rear-wheel drive. Railing along the axes 51:49. In the design of the suspension of all wheels, double triangular levers produced from aluminum alloy with a stamping method are used. To reduce the jolts when switching transmissions during sharp accelerations between gearbox and rear axle, special torsion is installed. The standard car pack includes an anti-test system, anti-lock brake system and a completely disabled control system.
In the corners, the car behaves very confidently, stably prescribing the trajectory. I did not notice the tendency from the GT to the demolitions of the front axle or the rear axles. At the same time, the steering settings did not allow me to completely merge with the car. The reactions to the steering actions are not slow and blurred are some non-transparent. From such a car are waiting for greater unity, verified feedback, and this is not. Everything for comfort, everything for pleasure, everything for the consumer on the one hand, you are happy that you do not need to get used to the car, adapt, GT does not break the driver, as it happens with sports cars. On the other hand, it does not feel a sports anger that you expect from Rhodster.
 
GT, in my opinion, car is not for racing. It is designed to attract attention and give joy. He teaches not to pay attention to small turmoil. Life is Beautiful! Like the price of the Rosther Opel GT on the Russian market of 40 thousand dollars.
Specifications Opel GT
Dimensions, mm 4100x1813x1274
Base, mm 2415
Pitch in front / rear, mm 1543/1561
The diameter of the reversal, M 10.5
Curb weight, kg 1363
Engine type gasoline 4-cylinder
Turbated
Working volume, cube. CM 1998.
Max. Power, hp / rpm 264/5300
Max. Moment, nm / rpm 353/25005000
Transmission mechanical 5-speed
Rear-wheel drive
Max. Speed, km / h 229
Acceleration time 0-100 km, from 5.7
Fuel consumption (medium), l / 100 km 9.2
 
Igor Komarov
Photo by the author and manufacturer firms
 

A source: Magazine "Autopanoram"