Exterior design
The Vauxhall Flextreme is more than a demonstration of our commitment to the latest green technology. It is proof that the future can be stylish as well as practical.
The Flextreme body’s key characteristics highlight the new elements of Vauxhall design language: more sculpted surfacing moulding and clear style elements such as narrow, boomerang-shaped lights and a sloping swage line in the side graphics. The Flextreme has also been designed following the motto of technological efficiency: vehicle weight and aerodynamics are optimised using advanced materials and simulation technology.
The bottom edge of the windshield has been pulled forward, so the hood with its characteristic crease is very short. The integrated power socket in the cowl panel allows the car to be charged at any mains supply.
A look at the front of the car quickly reveals that the front grille and rims are covered by a lightweight transparent trim, which is made from polycarbonate to improve aerodynamics while maintaining visual aesthetics. The same is true for the special light alloy wheels. Like the wheel design, the large boomerang-like curved front light units are visually deceptive.
From the rear the centre-opening, butterfly doors form the most immediate feature. Also the relief of the blade motif is carried around the whole curvature of the back. The unique rear lamp clusters with wing lights are virtually invisible until lit; they also wrap around to give even more sense of symmetry.
Just like all the other windows and a large part of the roof, the windshield is made of especially light polycarbonate. The Flextreme’s panoramic windshield provides a light and spacious interior ambience and stretches over most of the roof, which is reinforced by a spine-like composite structure that extends all the way to the rear floor.
Technology
The Vauxhall Flextreme uses the revolutionary E-Flex propulsion system, which is also referred to as Voltec technology.
E-Flex is a new family of electrically driven propulsion systems specifically engineered for future small- and mid-sized vehicles. The ’E’ stands for electric drive; the ‘Flex’ represents the architecture’s adaptability. The system allows the flexible use of electricity from a wide range of sources: the generator can run on power from the grid, from a small, internal-combustion engine consuming unleaded gasoline, diesel or bioethanol (E85 – a mixture of 85% ethanol and 15% petrol), or from a fuel cell.
This means that the vehicle’s drive system can be adapted exactly to the needs and infrastructure of specific markets.
In contrast to conventional vehicles and hybrids, the E-Flex system uses an electric motor, powered by a lithium-ion battery, to propel the Vauxhall Flextreme concept for up to 55 km of electric-drive-only range. In this case, a 1.3 CDTI onboard engine generates additional electricity to top up the battery and extend the vehicle’s driving range. Fully charged, the Flextreme’s 55-km all-electric driving range is enough for most daily commuters in Europe to travel without using any diesel fuel or emitting any CO2.
The Flextreme concept is a good indication of what low-emission mobility could look like in the medium term.