Vauxhall has taken the covers off its latest concept, which it says will provide the base for its vehicle design going forward.
Called the GT X Experimental, the coupe-styled compact SUV comes with an all-electric powertrain and five doors, sitting at just over four metres long.
Powered by a 50kWh lithium-ion battery that can be replenished using inductive charging, the GT X comes with level 3 autonomous features – meaning the car can drive itself in most circumstances, but will need the driver to be alert for important inputs when required.
The simple, yet forward-looking design involves suicide rear doors and no central pillars to allow for an open-plan cockpit that is easy to get in to, with the windscreen stretching over the rear seats to allow more light into the cabin. The 17-inch wheels have also been cleverly disguised to look much larger as the dark blue and bright yellow tyres overlap it.
Mirrors and handles have also been removed to make the design much sleeker – with cameras mounted around the car to allow vision of the surroundings aren’t impaired. A small hexagonal screen is also mounted on the outside to show how much charge is left on the battery.
Inside, the GT X doesn’t use many features and goes for a sparse look that includes a single screen mounted behind the steering wheel and two displays on the far ends of the dashboard to show the view down the side of the car.
Mark Adams, Vauxhall vice president of design, said: “The Vauxhall GT X Experimental embodies the spirit of our core brand values.
“It’s an approachable concept that people can identify with. It confidently combines a pure and bold design execution with progressive technology that makes life easier. Clearly, this vehicle signals a very exciting future for the brand.”
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Stephen Norman, Vauxhall group managing director, said: “Vauxhall is defiantly not a prestige brand, and not a ‘me-too’ brand. But we make great cars, and people buy them because of their value, approachability, ingenuity and progressiveness.
“The GT X Experimental picks up on these reasons for purchase, reinforces them, and creates a clear template for design elements in Vauxhall production cars of the future.”
