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Global Concepts (Part 1)
Opel G90
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The aim was to design a concept car that could return an emissions figure of 90 g of CO2 per km, so when Opel achieved its goal it simply called the new vehicle G90. Thanks to the use of aluminum and magnesium and other lightweight materials throughout the design, the company was able to achieve a vehicle mass of just 750 kg (1650 lb) on a four-seat car in the Astra-size category. The G90 is powered by a three-cylinder gasoline engine with an output of 60 hp (45 kW) and a displacement of 1.0 L. The combination of lightweight construction and good aerodynamics (0.22 Cd) enables the car to record a fuel consumption of 3.88 L/100 km (61 mpg)-putting it 33% below the fleet average pollution level of 140 g/km that is planned for the European Union in the year 2008. The engine, a 0.97-L Corsa gasoline production unit, was selected partly because it would be cheaper than a diesel to operate and also because direct-injection gasoline technology has a lot of potential. It drives through a five-speed sequential-shift transmission with manual or automatic operation. The G90 has a teardrop shape for good aerodynamics, which necessitated a narrower rear track than that at the front. Its exhaust system is integrated into the body as a further aid to aerodynamics. But the most significant contribution to aerodynamic efficiency in the underbody area was to slope the rear floor upward at an angle of 6°, resulting in a diffuser effect. The rearward-sloping roofline and the low trailing edge of the tailgate combine to reduce rear surface area. The use of lightweight materials for the car's construction allowed additional savings in brake weight and other components such as steering knuckles. Aluminum suspension struts are used, and the car's exhaust system has a mass of about 13 kg (28.5 lb)-some 6 kg (13.2 lb) less than a conventional system.
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