GENEVA MOTOR SHOW: Opel GT Concept

GM Europe has lifted the lid on its reborn Opel GT, revealing first images and details of the compact coupe concept ahead of its world debut at the Geneva motor show on March 1.

Biggest surprise is the small two-seat two-door incorporates a front/mid-mounted 107kW/205Nm 1.0-litre triple-cylinder turbo-petrol engine driving the rear wheels via a "sequential six-speed transmission" with gearshift paddles and a mechanical rear differential lock.

GM says the three-pot powertrain -- sourced from the Opel ADAM, Corsa and Astra – combines with a kerb weight of less than 1000kg to deliver 0-100km/h acceleration in less than eight seconds and a top speed of 215km/h.

Few other technical details have been provided for what Opel describes as a "puristic" sports car, but it's enough to rule out the possibility Opel's born-again GT will be based on the front-drive GM D2XX platform that underpins the new Astra and Cruze.

It's not enough, however, to confirm whether it's based on the same rear-drive GM Alpha architecture underneath the twin-turbo V6-powered Buick Avista concept unveiled in Detroit earlier this month.

Either way, it's clear the compact GT and Avista coupes are similar in concept, but neither will lead to a production version of the mystery Holden V8 sports car promised by GM executives for more than a year now.

That said, if it reaches production – and it's expected to within a few years – the Opel GT is a good chance to be sold as a Holden in Australia, given the company has promised to deliver 24 new models by 2020, a third of which will be imported from Europe, and that it will also be produced in right-hand drive for the UK's Vauxhall brand.

Opel describes the GT concept as a "thoroughbred athlete" and "direct descendant" of its original namesake of the 1960s and the Monza concept that's expected to preview its next-generation Insignia mid-size sedan, which in turn will become Holden's next Commodore.

Along with a classic long-bonnet, cab-rearward profile, it features no side windows, no door-handles, no door mirrors, dual central exhaust outlets and a red signature line that splits the vehicle body horizontally and red front tyres inspired by the 1928 Opel Motoclub 500 motorcycle.

"We created the GT Concept to capture the bold, emotional spirit of the Opel brand," said Mark Adams, Vice President of GM Design Europe. "It is dramatic, sculptural and full of innovations, which is our great tradition that we intend to continue.

"Back in 1965, Opel developed the Experimental GT, a thoroughly modern vehicle that also boasted a pure sculptural shape. It’s certainly difficult to reinvent an icon but just as the Experimental GT was avant-garde back then, so too is this GT Concept today – absolutely pure, minimalistic, yet bold and uncompromising. This coupé impressively demonstrates the continuous development of our design philosophy – ‘Sculptural Artistry meets German precision’."

Among the few other details revealed by Opel so far are touchpad-operated electric doors, which intersect the front wheel-arches, enough interior space "even [for] tall drivers", two cameras mounted behind the wheel-arches, a panoramic glass roof, next-generation Opel IntelliLux LED matrix headlights with integrated indicators and three-dimensional tail-lights.

“We are taking the next step towards even more emotion and driving pleasure with the Opel GT Concept. The GT Concept shows what Opel stands for now. We are confident, ambitious, innovative and we want win over more customers with every new car,” said Opel Group CEO Dr Karl-Thomas Neumann.