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GT Roadster hits the highway

GM Europe’s line-up of sensible hatchbacks and sedans is about to be livened-up by the arrival of the Opel GT roadster.

Built in the Wilmington , Delaware plant alongside the Saturn Sky and Pontiac Solstice that the GT is derived from, it is another example of platform sharing within GM, which has seen the Vectra launched in the US as the Saturn Aura.

Europe gets the GT roadster...

"The new Opel GT is a prime example of the technology and design potential that our growing global cooperation within GM offers,” said Hans Demant, managing director, Adam Opel GmbH and GME vice president, engineering. “We can develop products based on joint vehicle architectures, which not only boast brand-specific characteristics and are worthwhile in smaller production runs, but also enhance the Opel image.”

The GT and its siblings originate from the Solstice concept of 2002, which was developed into the Vauxhall VX at the GM advanced design studio in Coventry.

Like the Saturn Sky/Pontiac Solstice, the GT is built around a hydroformed tubular steel frame. The body is then fabricated using a combination of spot and MIG welds and adhesive bonding. Several closures including the bonnet and doors are also hydroformed in steel.

The United States has the Saturn Sky

Suspension is by double wishbones all round, forged in aluminium. A five speed gearbox drives the rear wheels through a limited slip differential.

Four cylinder turbo supplies the power

The two litre all-aluminium engine is derived from the earlier ECOTEC unit from 2003 and features gasoline direct injection, dual variable valve timing and a twin scroll turbocharger. Output is 194kW (264bhp) at 5300rpm, with 353Nm from 2500-5000rpm.

The car accelerates to 100km/h (62mph) in 5.7s before reaching a maximum speed of 229km/h (142mph). CO2 emissions are 218g/km.

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