Opel’s gas-powered Concept M, which had its world premier at Geneva Motor Show earlier this year, will be on display at Auto Africa in Johannesburg in October.
Opel’s micro multi-purpose vehicle, Concept M, which had its world premier at Geneva Motor Show earlier this year, will be on display at Auto Africa in Johannesburg in October.
The little four-seater Opel van is powered by a 1,6-litre, 110 kW, turbocharged engine fuelled by clean-burning natural gas. Opel claims this is sufficient to power the vehicle from zero to 100 km/h in 9,8 seconds, with a top speed of about 200 km/h.
Drive is through the front wheels via Opel’s “Easytronic” transmission.
Opel says while the engine is optimised to run on natural gas with low emissions it can also operate on regular unleaded petrol.
With a height of 1 620 mm and a 2 630-mm wheelbase (16 mm longer than that of the Astra Caravan), Concept M has a spacious interior for four passengers.
The interior in finished in bright, high-quality materials. All four passengers have as much shoulder room as in many mid-size sedans. The doors pop open via a push-button mechanism on the handles.
An overhead console houses reading lamps and the “AutoVision” entertainment system with a DVD player compatible with both audio and data CDs.
The DVD system fits neatly into the console and poses no obstacle to the driver’s view of the rear or use of the rearview mirror. The high-quality 7-inch (18 cm) TFT screen (Thin Film Transistor) displays images in high resolution and colour.
The monitor descends to head level and its angle can be adjusted at the touch of a button.
When not in use, it is easily retracted and securely fastened. A variable position centre console extends on multi -purpose aluminium tracks between driver and passenger with holders for cups, utensils or even a personal computer.
Concept M is equipped with a microcomputer or PDA (Personal Digital Assistant). This is detachable. When docked in the centre of the audio/ventilation control panel, the PDA displays current settings for heating and climate control.
In combination with a mobile phone, it can log on to the Internet.
The instrument panel offers a fully configurable 22,5 cm screen with two round and easy-to-read gauges. The screen immediately informs the driver of any malfunction. The navigation system warns of a planned turn with a large arrow icon that points in the direction to be followed.
Auto Africa runs from October 23 to 27 at the Expo Centre in Johannesburg.
