| Opel TRIXX City Concept
'Ultra-compact' concept to debut at Geneva
"Highly versatile, with a remarkable amount of interior space" is how Opel are descibing their TRIXX small-car concept to be presented at this year’s Geneva Motor Show. The 'ultra-compact' city car can carry up to three adults and a child, or be configured as a one-seater to carry bulky loads.
Three electrically powered ‘pantograph’ doors, two on the passenger’s side and one on the driver’s side, enable easy access and loading. The TRIXX has several other ingenious innovations – an inflatable rear seat; a foldaway front passenger’s seat; and a roof hatch that opens at the push of a button to carry extra-long objects in an upright position. A luggage rack at the rear pulls out like a drawer, and carries heavy items or those too dirty to travel inside. The 51 kW (70 hp) 1.3-litre CDTI turbo diesel engine also used in the Corsa and Agila powers the TRIXX.
Martin Smith, Executive Director of Design says: “ The TRIXX shows our vision of an innovative, ultra-compact car in the three-metre-class, that features an expressive, exciting design and meets a variety of mobility requirements with its clever, highly versatile interior concept.”
With a flexible interior and compact dimensions (3.04 x 1.66 x 1.57 m), Opel claims the front-wheel drive TRIXX is the ideal transport partner for all city dwellers. Utilising all aspects of the flexible interior, there is enough space to carry a fully assembled mountain bike. The front passenger can even enjoy a additional legroom by folding the front seat away and traveling on the couch-like rear seat. This seat too is concealed if not in use, or inflates in a matter of seconds via the on-board air compressor. If a small child is also traveling in the TRIXX, a child’s seat folds down behind the driver’s seat.
Bulky objects are loaded easily through the pair of electrically operated ‘pantograph’ doors that open wide to the front and the rear. These doors have a supporting arm that lets them open parallel to the side of the vehicle, like sliding doors. The TRIXX therefore needs no tailgate, but the rear window lowers for additional access to the interior. In combination with the glass sunroof, the rear half of which slides forward, this provides a load-aperture similar to a pick-up truck.
The TRIXX features the bold lines, short overhangs, prominent wheelarch lips and crease in the hood characteristic of the Opel form language. Opel have not indicated whether the car is destined for production but should its reception at Geneva be strong, elements of it will undoubtedly appear in future vehicles.
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