GTC Concept To Spawn A Production Version.. (We Think, Maybe)

William Maley - Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com

May 12, 2011

File this one under the taking a grain of salt folder. Auto Express is reporting the Opel GTC Concept shown in 2007 has been given the green light. According to a leaked document, the name Calibra has been given and will use Epsilon II platform.

The 2.8L Turbocharged V6 producing 321 HP and powers the Insignia OPC/VXR is pegged to be the top of the line motor. The coupe will come would be fitted with all-wheel drive and use a shorter wheelbase to give the car more agility. Auto Express says production of Calibra will begin on October 2012 at GM’s Russelsheim plant in Germany. Sales will begin in 2013.

Now, there have been rumors of this car coming out for the past year and possibly coming across as a Buick. But, we'll wait for some evidence of this car coming out at all.

Source: Auto Express

be stupid to use the 2.8 when a 3.0L turbo would be better.... cheaper in the long run?

That's a cute little thing...it'll make a fantastic Buick, too!!

That's a cute little thing...it'll make a fantastic Buick, too!!

The return of the 2-door Regal.

Another no-brainer moment. Yes GM (total duh) Opel and Buick need this car. Like NOW.

The roofline reminds me of the Pontiac G6 Coupe...

be stupid to use the 2.8 when a 3.0L turbo would be better.... cheaper in the long run?

They're not gonna use the 2.8T. They are moving away from that engine. I would expect it to be a 3.0T which is going to be going into other Buicks also.

With those fangs it could be Vlad the Opeler

be stupid to use the 2.8 when a 3.0L turbo would be better.... cheaper in the long run?

While I understand the point you are making, you have to realize that people are taxed on the size of their motor, so a 2.8 turbo is cheaper than a 3.0 turbo.

Nice mid luxury coupe for Buick.

This a nice Regal coupe would make, thinks I.

It would be nice to see a coupe version of the new Malibu also with it's own design and name--Monte Carlo, anyone?

be stupid to use the 2.8 when a 3.0L turbo would be better.... cheaper in the long run?

I don't know about "cheaper". There is no reason to believe that the 3.0 DI Bi-turbo will be cheaper than the 2.8 port injected engine with a single turbo. The problem is that the 2.8 is a surgy powerplant that is problematic in service. Cheaper or not, the 2.8 has to go.

The 3.0 is probably going to be between 300 and 360 hp. To maximize its potential, it'll need a new automatic transmission with a greater torque rating than the 6T75 (300 lb-ft). Without it, the 3.0TT will be pretty close to the new LFX 3.6 in output (318~323 hp / 275~278 lb-ft). Yes, it'll have a flatter torque curve and maybe 20~25 lb-ft more twist, but that's a slim difference to try to sell the extra cost, weight and maintenance worries of a pair of turbos and a myriad of IC plumbing on.

Edited May 13, 201114 yr by dwightlooi