Auto Channel

General Motors' E-Flex electric propulsion system crosses the pond for next week's Frankfurt Motor Show, following the system's debut as the Chevrolet Volt at the Detroit Show earlier this year. The Opel Flextreme Concept is a plug-in hybrid sharing its basic underpinnings and some technological features with its GM stable counterpart.

Drive is powered by the vehicle's Lithium-ion batteries - but only until power's been drained from them. At this point, the diesel motor kicks in, both to continue conventional unaided driving and to restore power to the batteries via the on-board generator. Power can also be handily restored by 'plugging-in' the Flextreme to an electrical outlet.

The new concept car is powered by an Opel-engineered 1.3-litre turbo diesel motor rather than the Volt's 1.0-litre turbocharged 3-cylinder petrol engine, and while the diesel motor is in most instances to be used for regenerative charging between 1,500 and 1,800 rpm, the engine can reach 3,200 rpm should the batteries be depleted enough to warrant sole operation of this conventional drivetrain.

Range of the vehicle when using the Lithium-ion batteries is expected to be around 100 km (62 miles), and when in conjunction with the diesel motor, range will increase to some 775 km (480 miles). Although should you be wanting to go that extra mile, Opel have built Segway stowage into the Flextreme, with the vehicle capable of charging the device from its own on-board batteries.

Combining the compact form of a hatchback, while offering the stowage and cabin environment of a lifestyle MPV, the Flextreme is a stylish sight to behold, with concave and convex surfaces, elongated front headlamps and a convoluting, albeit slightly awkward, rear end.

Official information is sure to be released shortly, so stay with us for all the details following the Flextreme's Frankfurt Show debut.