Opel Trixx concept for the Geneva Motor Show

Mon, 02 Feb 2004

Opel/Vauxhall has released first details of the Trixx small car concept to be shown at the Geneva Motor Show next month. Martin Smith, Opel/Vauxhall executive director of design, says: "Trixx shows our vision of an innovative, ultra-compact car in the three-metre-class, with an expressive, exciting design, and meets a variety of mobility requirements with its clever, highly versatile interior concept."

Trixx has an inflatable rear seat, sliding electric doors, and a push-button roof hatch that allows it to carry extra-long objects upright. The versatile car can carry up to three adults and a child, and as a one-seater it turns into a substantial load carrier. Three electrically powered 'pantograph' doors, two on the passenger's side and one on the driver's side, allow easy access and loading. The pantograph doors have a supporting arm that lets them open parallel to the side of the vehicle. In place of a coventional tailgate, the rear window lowers for additional access to the interior. The rear half of the glass sunroof slides forward to provide a load-aperture similar to a pickup truck.

The front passenger can choose to enjoy ample legroom by folding the front seat away and travelling on the couch-like rear seat. This can also be concealed, or inflates in seconds via the on-board air compressor. A child's seat folds down behind the driver's seat, and a luggage rack at the rear pulls out like a drawer, to carry heavy items or those too dirty to travel inside.

Trixx is 119in long, 65in wide and 61in high. With the front passenger seat folded away the load-area length of 60in from rear to instrument panel is enough to carry a fully assembled mountain bike. Trixx is powered by a new 1.3 CDTi common rail diesel engine.