Sunday, 11 October 2026

Opel STX Concept: Visionary Study from Rüsselsheim Shows the Estate Design of Tomorrow

  • New chapter: With the STX Concept, Opel presents a vision for future estate cars at the Paris Motor Show
  • Bolder, purer, even more emotional: New Opel Vizor lighting signature with lamella light animations and even more prominent vertical Opel Compass and illuminated emblem plus clean, downward-sloping rear
  • Pure efficiency: Intelligent aerodynamic solutions with extendable diffuser elements and alloy wheels in a three-zone design

Opel at the Paris Motor Show – this means premieres that will reveal the wide range of emotional automotive excellence ‘made in Germany’. For example, the new Opel GSE 27FE Formula E racing car will celebrate its world premiere in the French capital, and the new Opel Corsa GSE hot hatch, which is now on sale, will make its exhibition debut. Furthermore, a very special show car is set to turn heads at the ‘Mondial de l'Auto’ from October 12 to 18: the Opel Sports Tourer eXperimental Concept, or Opel STX Concept in short. The name gives a clear indication that the German manufacturer is showing its vision of future estates. The abbreviation ‘ST’ is closely associated with the Sports Tourer models with the Blitz, such as the latest generation Opel Astra Sports Tourer. But the Opel STX Concept is more. It also symbolises the next stage of Opel's design philosophy – even bolder, even purer, even more emotional and even more efficient.

“Our Opel STX Concept reinterprets the estate! With its bold design, the latest concept car from Rüsselsheim reaffirms what we at Opel understand by German engineering paired with visionary design. The STX Concept gives a taste of how exciting and emotional the estate of tomorrow can be – with maximum functionality and efficiency. The study shows characteristic features that will be found in future Opel models and underlines Opel's role as an estate pioneer in Europe,” said Opel CEO Florian Huettl.

Future Design: New Opel Vizor even bolder and more confident

The Opel STX Concept is the bold vision of the electric estate of tomorrow. It illustrates Opel’s next design ambition, combining this with German engineering and intelligent technologies in such a way that drivers and passengers experience the highest level of driving pleasure. The latest concept car from Rüsselsheim thus continues Opel's long tradition as an estate pioneer in Europe. The manufacturer was largely responsible for the breakthrough of this type of vehicle in Europe as early as the 1950s: In 1953, Opel introduced the Olympia Rekord Caravan. The Opel Kadett Caravan and many other models up to the latest Opel Astra Sports Tourer followed. All these models always impressed with style-defining design and innovative technologies.

The conviction that forward-looking technology should not remove emotions from the automobile but rather amplify them is at the heart of the Opel STX Concept. The concept car is a modern expression of Opel's engineering excellence, which combines intelligent technology with bold, precise design. The result is an electric car that is as efficient as it is emotional.

What stands out at first glance is the further development of the Opel Vizor. The characteristic brand face now appears even bolder than in its previous iterations. While many electric cars today feature an ultra-slim ‘face’, the Vizor of the Opel STX Concept is higher and more prominent. It thus matches the size of the vehicle and reflects its undeniably German character. In addition, the new lighting signature uses precise vertical slanting lamellas that form the outside boundary of the Vizor but gradually fade more towards the centre. As usual, the illuminated Opel Blitz forms the visible centre of the Opel Compass; the characteristic crease in the bonnet is further emphasised by the sporty, sharp front design.

This motto is also taken up by the rear of the STX Concept: it drops steeply and thus combines the highest practical benefit through the additional space gained in the cargo compartment with modern design. Here, too, the Opel Compass is even more precise than before – with slim, illuminated compass axes and the illuminated OPEL wordmark in the centre. The horizontal taillights on the left and right reflect the lamella look of the front.

Furthermore, the entire surfacing serves as an eye-catcher. Flush, precisely shaped and with a distinctively technical appearance, it emphasises the concept car’s character. One example is the striking C-pillars. Here, the glass light strips protruding from the window line towards the rear – and which continue into the roof of the Opel STX Concept – create exceptional visual accents. Illuminated ‘STX’ lettering on the sides, which taper towards the front, and details such as the geometrically precise and sharply defined cameras on the driver’s and passenger’s sides (replacing the usual wing mirrors) further emphasise the combination of high technical standards and desirable design.

High-speed efficiency: Custom-fit body and intelligent aero solutions

The side view of the Opel STX Concept, shimmering in silver and blue, is dominated by the low, aerodynamic silhouette designed for long-distance efficiency and stability at high speeds on the German Autobahn. The sculpted body with short overhangs and wide flared areas around the wheel arches underline the stretched and at the same time bold lines.

To this end, the Opel STX Concept presents aerodynamic solutions that not only reduce consumption but also increase range, directional stability and driving pleasure. Among other things, the aerodynamically optimised 3-section alloys combined with 285/35 R22 Goodyear tyres contribute to an engaging driving experience.

In addition, the Opel STX Concept has an active aerodynamic system that continuously adapts to the driving situation, using moving elements at the rear to optimise airflow, reduce drag and improve stability. For example, at the right speed, blue-coloured diffusers protrude from under the rear; behind the wheels, vertical bumper elements extend sideways to the rear to support the streamlined stance.

All this helps transfer the performance of the visionary concept car safely to the road. The Opel STX Concept combines an innovative electric architecture with all-wheel drive and a top speed of over 200 km/h. In this way, it proves that efficiency, performance and emotional driving pleasure can go hand in hand in the electric age.

The interior is also designed precisely for this experience. In the future, the designers and engineers will realise an interior here that continues the ‘Painting with Light’ idea of the 2023 Opel Experimental and the 2025 Opel Corsa GSE Vision Gran Turismo with immersive lighting elements and special lightweight seats, and take it to the next level of development.

The Opel STX Concept is not only a show car that presents groundbreaking design and controlled desirable surfacing with innovative technology ideas. It also anticipates the visionary further development of the estate body style and already contains elements of future Opel models. The characteristic Opel design language is even more sculptural and expressive and integrates the technologies of tomorrow clearly and coherently into the overall picture.

Together with Vice President Marketing Rebecca Reinermann and Vice President Design Mark Adams, Opel CEO Florian Huettl will present these and other highlights with the Blitz to an international audience at the Opel Press Conference, which will take place at the Opel stand A42 in hall 4 at 11.00 CEST on Monday, October 12.

Friday, 2 October 2026

New Vauxhall Corsa GSE Awarded ‘Hot Hatch of the Year’ at News UK Motor Awards 2026

  •  New Vauxhall Corsa GSE wins ‘Hot Hatch of the Year’ at the News UK Motor Awards 2026
  • Judges praised the GSE for its design, performance, and driving experience
  • The GSE is the most powerful production Corsa of all time with 281PS, and the fastest accelerating Vauxhall on sale with a 0-62 mph time of 5.5 seconds

  • Vauxhall Corsa GSE delivers attainable performance in line with Vauxhall’s hot hatch heritage and is available to order now for just £34,495 OTR (£32,995 inc. Electric Car Grant)
  • The New Vauxhall Corsa GSE has been awarded ‘Hot Hatch of the Year’ at the News UK Motor Awards 2026 


The News UK Motor Awards 2026 celebrate the standout new cars shaping today’s market, recognising models across key categories spanning family, city, adventure, and performance cars. Winners are selected by an expert judging panel of leading automotive journalists from News UK titles, including The Sun, The Times, The Sunday Times Magazine, and LUXX Magazine.


 The judges praised the New Vauxhall Corsa GSE for its classic racing-inspired design, impressive performance, and fun driving experience. Rob Gill, Motors Editor at The Sun, said “The best colour is white. Like Vauxhall's old race cars. I think we can all agree on that. Small Car. Big Power. Tartan Seats. I had so much fun testing Vauxhall Corsa GSE at Croft, I didn’t want to give it back.”

 

Eurig Druce, Vauxhall Managing Director, said: “The New Corsa GSE marks a strong return to the hot hatch segment for Vauxhall, bringing both performance and driver appeal, with the benefits of fully electric power. Corsa remains Britain’s best-selling small car, and with the GSE we are continuing Vauxhall’s tradition of sporty superminis in a way that reflects today’s move to electrification. Thank you to the News UK judges for recognising it as ‘Hot Hatch of the Year’ for 2026.”

The new Vauxhall Corsa GSE is the most powerful production Corsa of all time, with 0-62mph acceleration in just 5.5 seconds. Building on the rally-inspired  Vauxhall Mokka GSE, the Corsa GSE features a Torsen® mechanical limited slip differential, extensive chassis upgrades, Alcon® four-piston front brake callipers with 355mm discs, distinctive exterior details and retro-inspired interior touches. Priced at £32,995 including the Electric Car Grant (ECG)*, the Corsa GSE delivers high performance while maintaining everyday practicality.


Wednesday, 30 September 2026

Sneak Peak for Paris: First Glimpse of Stunning Opel STX Concept

  • Forward looking: Opel STX Concept reimagines estate body style
  • Next design step: New Opel Vizor even bolder and more confident
  • Attention to detail: Flush body surfacing and clever aero solutions for efficiency at high speeds

 


After revealing the name of its upcoming concept car as the Opel Sports Tourer eXperimental Concept, or Opel STX Concept in short, just last week, the German manufacturer has now offered a first preview of its latest concept by releasing first images of the vehicle. The images reveal the extreme precision and high attention to detail of the Opel STX Concept while also hinting at the next development step of the Opel Vizor and Opel’s vision for the future of estate cars.

 

“We were pioneers of the estate in Europe as early as the 1950s. With the STX Concept, we want to show our vision for the future of this body style and introduce the next step of our ‘Bold & Pure’ design philosophy. We will be revealing more details soon – so stay tuned,” said Opel CEO Florian Huettl.

One of the most eye-catching features teased by the images is the further development of the Opel Vizor. The brand’s characteristic front fascia now appears bolder than in previous iterations with a new lighting signature using precise vertical slanting lamellas. Furthermore, the illuminated Opel Blitz emblem still sits firmly at the centre of the Opel Compass.

Elsewhere, aerodynamic efficiency has long been a hallmark of Opel passenger cars – and the Opel STX Concept will explore clever aero solutions to not only reduce consumption but also ensure directional stability and driving pleasure at high speeds on the German Autobahn. One element is the aerodynamically optimised design of the eye-catching 3-section alloy wheels.

 

The Opel STX Concept will celebrate its world premiere at this year’s Paris Motor Show (October 12 to 18, 2026).