Opel Teases Stunning New Concept Car for IAA Mobility 2025

• Performance cues: GSE logo and aerodynamic wheels exude racing allure
• For the track: Slim racing steering wheel, lightweight driver’s seat and roll cage
• New interpretation: Opel Compass with precise horizontal and vertical elements

Opel has teased the arrival of its latest concept car by releasing first preview images of the vehicle that will celebrate its world premiere at the IAA Mobility 2025 in Munich (September 8 to 14, 2025). While the name is still being firmly kept under wraps, the images already reveal a clear connection to Opel’s GSE sub-brand while also hinting at the next evolutionary step of the Opel Compass.

“Our upcoming concept car will once again send pulses racing. It will preview upcoming models, impress with its stunning design and appeal to car enthusiasts around the globe. We will be revealing more details soon – so stay tuned,” said Opel CEO Florian Huettl.

The brand with the Blitz has initially published a small selection of images, each showing unique elements of the latest creation of the design team around Vice President Design Mark Adams. One of the most eye-catching features teased by the images is the further development of the Opel Compass. The illuminated Opel wordmark sits at the centre and is framed by slim and precise vertical and horizontal elements.

Elsewhere, the images confirm that the concept car will tie in with the Rüsselsheim-based brand’s recent activities regarding its high-performance GSE sub-brand. In June, Opel announced that the Mokka GSE will go into serial production – and become the brand’s first all-electric high-performance car. The inclusion of the new GSE logo on the slim racing car inspired steering wheel indicates that the brand with the Blitz will explore the boundaries of battery-electric performance vehicles with the concept car. This is further underpinned by the aerodynamic and eye-catching design of the wheels with the truncated triangular elements providing a subtle nod to historic and iconic motorsport vehicles such as the Opel Manta 400 rally car.

The motorsport and performance cues continue with the futuristic and minimalistic lightweight driver’s seat and the clearly visible roll cage: Both indicate that the concept will be very much at home on the racing track and offer a thrilling yet comfortable and safe driving experience.

Opel will reveal the name along with further information on the latest concept car from Rüsselsheim soon and it will celebrate its world premiere at this year’s IAA Mobility in Munich (September 8 to 14, 2025).

First Glimpse of Stunning New Opel Experimental

• Forward looking: Opel Experimental gives an insight into the future of the brand
• Enlightening: Illuminated new Blitz sits proudly at the centre of the Opel Compass
• Attention to detail: Flush body surfacing, aero-efficiency and resource-conserving

After revealing the name of its upcoming concept car as the Opel Experimental just last week, the German brand has now offered a tantalising preview of the design study by releasing first images of the vehicle. The photographs reveal the extreme precision and high attention to detail of the Opel Experimental, which will show the future of the Opel brand with its more technical and extreme interpretation of the Bold and Pure design philosophy.

“Opel Experimental marks the start of a new chapter for our brand. It was designed to provide a tangible vision of where the Opel brand is heading. 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 Compass, the guiding element of Opel’s design philosophy. The new illuminated Blitz sits confidently at the centre of the compass in a new iteration of the Opel Vizor, the brand’s characteristic front fascia and technology hub. It is flanked by the elongated wing signature lighting on the horizontal axis while the illuminated centre crease adds further drama. A distinctive red-light graphic on flush body surfacing, devoid of unnecessary shut lines, suggests the repetition of the compass at the rear of the Opel Experimental.

Elsewhere, aerodynamic efficiency has long been a hallmark of Opel passenger cars and the vane-like construction of the eye-catching wheels indicate that the Opel Experimental will also share this attribute. The futuristic cues are continued on the interior with the profiled seat structure hinting at a sustainable, resource-conserving approach to the ergonomic seats that are typical for Opel vehicles.

Opel Experimental will celebrate its world premiere at this year’s IAA Mobility in Munich (September 5 to 10, 2023).

Opel to go fully electric, enter Chinese market and launch Opel Manta-e

Opel is opening the next chapter of its comprehensive electrification offensive: Tradition-rich German brand is currently not only expanding the electric model portfolio but will focus entirely on battery electric vehicles in Europe as of 2028. Opel will also enter the world's largest automobile market China – as a purely electric brand. Furthermore, legendary Opel Manta will celebrate its comeback as a purely electric car.

 Opel Manta-e concept

“As of 2028, Opel will only offer electric cars in our core market Europe,” said CEO Michael Lohscheller at the digital Stellantis EV Day 2021. “This clearly shows the commitment of the Opel brand to electric mobility. Future of the automotive industry is electric – and Opel is part of that. We are on a journey to reinventing Opel and transforming ourselves into a young, green and global brand,” Lohscheller added. “Opel is moving from cold to cool. We are heading towards a net zero CO2 future as CO2 is the new currency in our industry.”

In addition, the final decision to bring the Opel brand back to China has now been taken. More details will be published in due course. “We promised that Opel will go global – and we will deliver. China is the largest automotive market in the world and we are sure that we will grow profitably there. Chinese customers can look forward to our products and our emotional German brand," said CEO Michael Lohscheller.

Lohscheller also announced that Opel will reinvent the legendary Manta, after the tremendous feedback the brand received when presenting the Opel Manta GSe ElektroMOD. “The Manta is a real icon in our brand’s history and an inspiration for its future. We will bring a new Manta into serial production by mid-decade. Purely electric, of course,” said Michael Lohscheller.

Opel is in the middle of an extensive electrification offensive: Brand will already have nine electrified models on offer this year, and all models will also be available in electrified versions by 2024.

!NEW! Great Tradition: Techno Classica under the spell of the Opel GT

• Hall of fame: Opel presents the GT legend at Techno Classica
• Essen-premiere: Geneva show-star Opel GT Concept makes German debut
• Highly tuned display: Famous GT conversions from Conrero, Gerent and Irmscher

Still working that magic: Alongside the original 1968 Opel GT production model, the futuristic Opel GT Concept makes its first appearance in Germany at this year’s Techno Classica.

The legendary Opel GT weaves its magic again at this year’s Techno Classica in Essen (April 6-10). Alongside the original GT sports car of the late nineteen-sixties and seventies, the futuristic GT Concept – the star of this year’s Geneva International Motor Show – will celebrate its German public debut.

The legend began in 1965 when the Opel Experimental GT design study became the shooting star of that year’s Frankfurt International Motor Show. Designer Erhard Schnell’s vision of a sleek, uncompromising yet affordable sports car received such an enthusiastic reception that Opel decided to put it into production. Three years later and based on proven Kadett B technology, the GT hit the market. The rest, as they say, is history.

Back then the Kadett was the touring car to beat in motorsport, and the tuning community was eager to lay its hands on the new sports car built from affordable mass-produced components. At the Techno Classica Opel will therefore present – in addition to a classic production-GT in red – three conversions from tuners Conrero, Gerent and Irmscher.

Six-pack: At this year’s Techno Classica the futuristic Opel GT Concept will celebrate its German public debut alongside the original Experimental GT study, the production GT and three conversions from tuners Conrero, Gerent and Irmscher

In its heyday the Gerent GT in “Group 4 Appendix J” specification was a frequent contender for 2.0 liter class victories, while the example from the Italian Conrero racing team was the hero of the 1971 Targa Florio, where it finished ninth overall. Thanks to the ingenuity and race-craft of Conrero Squadra Corse, the Opel GT not only earned the respect of its 2.0 liter classmates – mostly Porsche 911 and 914/6 – it also managed to beat them. The Opel GT from Irmscher is an immaculate restoration.

The GT hall of fame in Essen will be completed by the Opel GT Concept. The avant-garde yet purist sports car renounces everything that disturbs the pure form. The GT Concept has no door handles or exterior door mirrors, and no superfluous decorative elements. It is a dynamic driving machine as symbolized by the typical sports car proportions, with a long bonnet and ultra-short overhangs, and the bold red signature line that graphically splits the vehicle body horizontally. The absence of a trunk lid, the intriguing and innovative door design, the central dual exhaust, the looks of the steering wheel and of course, the name all refer to the original GT. However, apart from striking red tires that also adorned the equally avant-garde Motoclub 500 Opel motorbike of 1928, the GT Concept does not mime its ancestor. Instead, without nostalgia or retro-design, the GT Concept re-invents the innovative, daring and exciting spirit of the original, opening a new chapter in the GT-legend.

!NEW! Buick Introduces Avista Concept

Design elegance, performance heritage conveyed in turbocharged 2+2 coupe 

2016 Buick Avista Concept 

Ahead of its public debut at the North American International Auto Show, Buick today revealed the Avista concept – a 2+2 coupe that pushes the brand’s contemporary design ethos and rekindles its historic performance roots.

A sleek, sweeping proportion is the foundation for this vision of a contemporary grand tourer, with a 400 horsepower twin-turbocharged V6 driving the rear wheels and a driver-focused cockpit offering a comfortable, connected center of control.

“The Avista embodies the dynamic soul of Buick,” said Duncan Aldred, vice president of Global Buick Sales, Service and Marketing. “It is a modern expression of the brand’s heritage of sophisticated performance, communicated with beautiful elegance.”

The Avista’s uninterrupted body lines stretch front to rear, suggesting motion – resembling Buick’s design language introduced on the Avenir concept and carried into production on the 2017 LaCrosse. The absence of conventional B-pillars between the doors and rear side windows enhances the flowing profile.

“There is elegant simplicity in the Avista’s surfaces, which speak to the purity of the car’s performance, and a timeless beauty that’s a hallmark of Buick design,” said Bryan Nesbitt, executive director Global Buick Design. “It was designed to capture the spirit of the perfect drive.”

Marking the front and rear, Buick evolves its signature wing-shaped lighting with “soft curtain” elements that create illuminated “halos” around lamps’ edges, suggesting a three-dimensional shape and sculpture. Their design forecasts the evolution of Buick’s production lighting features, while the Avista’s grille features the brand’s new winged tri-shield insignia set against a three-dimensional mesh background.

Additional exterior features include:

• A 110.7 inch (2,811 mm) wheelbase and 63 inch (1,601 mm) front/62.9 inch (1,598 mm) rear tracks for sporty proportions and an aggressive stance
• Twenty-inch aluminum wheels with color-toned accents match the car’s Dark Sapphire Jewel exterior
• Front fender vents with chrome accents evolve Buick’s signature fender ports.

Performance-oriented, modern cockpit

Like the exterior, the Avista’s 2+2 interior is defined by flowing, uninterrupted lines conveying elegance through simplicity – with intense technical and surfaces details, in everything from 3D-printed door and seat trim to a future vision of Buick’s IntelliLink, with touchscreen controls on a widescreen instrument panel display.

The center console also incorporates touchscreen controls and extends to the rear seating area. Open side storage compartments built into the front of the console are enabled by the new Electronic Precision Shift, similar to the 2017 LaCrosse.

A Superior Blue foundation color echoes the exterior and is complemented with Mist Gray leather seating inserts, console trim and door trim. Exposed carbon fiber and aluminum accents throughout reinforce the precision of the performance-oriented driving experience. The fading pattern on the seats, console and doors were inspired by waves receding at a beach’s edge.

“Waves, whether from the sea or in the sand, are all about motion and flow,” said Nesbitt. “That’s exactly what this concept is all about – flowing design and the purity of the driving experience.”

Buick designers enhanced the passengers’ sensory experiences with next-generation QuietTuning and air-quality control, including advanced noise cancellation technology, ionic air purifiers and aromatherapy.

The Avista also advances Buick’s legacy of turbocharged performance, which carries forward in the 2016 Regal GS and other models. Similar to the 2017 LaCrosse, the concept twin-turbocharged 3.0L V6 features fuel-saving Active Fuel Management (cylinder deactivation) and Stop/Start technology to complement its power with efficiency. The engine is backed by an eight-speed automatic transmission and Magnetic Ride Control delivers more precise body motion control.

!NEW! Shanghai GM Reveals All-New Buick Excelle GT

Mainstream mid-range sedan has new design, interior and powertrains

The all-new Buick Excelle GT exterior

Shanghai GM has revealed photos of the exterior and interior of the all-new Buick Excelle GT in advance of its upcoming domestic launch. It will strengthen the presence of Buick – Shanghai GM’s most popular brand – in China’s mid-range mainstream sedan segment.

The all-new Excelle GT reflects Buick's efficiency-oriented philosophy that caters to the preferences of local consumers. Inspired by the Buick Riviera II concept car, the all-new Excelle GT carries forward Buick's "dynamic and sleek" design language, with styling that projects an image of simplicity and sportiness.

The sedan’s interior boasts Buick's iconic 360-degree wraparound cabin layout, with exquisitely crafted and high-quality materials. It offers significantly more head and knee room than its predecessor, segment-leading room in back courtesy of short front and rear overhangs, and an ergonomic design.

The all-new Buick Excelle GT interior

Two new-generation 18T and 15N powertrain combinations will be offered. The 18T includes a 1.4T DVVT engine and an intelligent seven-speed DCG transmission, while the 15N offers a 1.5L DVVT in-line four-cylinder engine and a new six-speed DSS transmission. Both provide strong, seamless power output and segment-leading fuel economy thanks to the standard start/stop feature.

The all-new Excelle GT’s independent rear suspension ensures agile handling. Its lightweight body consists of over 65 percent high-strength steel. It comes standard with Bosch's latest ESC 9.1 system, ensuring maximum protection for occupants.

The model is also packed with segment-leading and exclusive user-friendly technology such as rear-seat air vents, LED daytime running lights and a nanometer-grade PM2.5 air filter.

The all-new Buick Excelle GT will be manufactured at Shanghai GM's new plant in Wuhan, which has adopted world-class manufacturing processes and technologies.