Mark Adams, Vauxhall/Opel’s Vice President of Design, has described the GTC Paris as, ‘bold, pure and iconic’ in its appearance. Vauxhall has hinted that a production version will not stray far from the rakish lines of the concept, and if the GTC moniker were to be adopted, it would be the first time that a Vauxhall has been so named.
Vauxhall’s signature blade mimics that on the Insignia and creates a fine, tense crease along the rocker panel. This combines with a second line running from the door handle to the rear of the car, emphasising both a fine undercut and broad shoulder. A third line following the silhouette of the roof is finished in fine brushed aluminium accentuating the window graphic and leads to a sharply accented integrated spoiler.
Slim, eagle-eye shaped headlamps, flanked by LED running lights with chrome surrounds dominate the front of the GTC Paris. A sharp centreline crease runs down the bonnet (a trademark styling cue from Vauxhalls of yore) and leads to a dramatically low trapezoidal grille incorporating a chrome emblem bar. At the rear, the imposing features of the concept are enhanced with LED tail lights, showcasing a long, stretched ‘wing’ night time graphic.
Underpinning the GTC Paris is a specially designed chassis with an extra-wide stance. Hinting at the car’s power potential is an electronic limited slip differential and an updated version of Vauxhall’s FlexRide adaptive damping system. The new Astra’s unique compound crank / Watt’s link rear suspension provides excellent packaging and secure, driver-focused dynamics.
More details about the GTC Paris Concept will be revealed before the Paris Motor Show.