The Saturn Flextreme: Now That’s Unusual!
When attending a major event such as a car show, especially when you are the guest at one as I was of General Motors, you can be certain that you’ll see more new model releases and concepts than you can shake a stick at. But that is a good thing — having access to some of the cutting edge industry information is an invaluable experience.
One concept that was featured at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show (NAIAS) was a Saturn concept, the Flextreme, a vehicle which defies easy categorization. It was one of several vehicles GM management rolled out, a car that received plenty of reactions from the audience.
I only wish that my response was half as vocal as some of the other media folks present; I sat there in stunned silence when it was unveiled!
One look at the Flextreme and I knew that I needed to get another look as I did not like the front of the car — something about the headlamps bothered me. However, my opinion of the Flextreme gradually shifted as I was enthralled by the suicide doors (Lincoln, anyone?) and I found the rear quarter design with gull wing (ala DeLorean) doors to be fascinating.
The Flextreme is a concept plug-in hybrid, representing a possible new styling direction for Saturn. I’m not sure if GM will pull it off, but having a dedicated plug-in hybrid is the direction GM is heading. They’re hoping to have a plug-in VUE (also rolled out at the NAIAS) and the company is working fast on bringing the Chevrolet Volt to market.
The Flextreme’s proposed 34 mile all-electric, emissions-free range doesn’t sound like much, but for the person commuting to work, it should cover the vast majority of commutes. I can imagine that when someone pulls up at their place of business, electrical outlets will be available to recharge the Flextreme during the 9-10 hours the person is at work. Once home, they can recharge their car again.
GM is looking at also placing a 1.3L diesel engine in the vehicle which would help extend the driving range of the Flextreme and recharge the battery. The automaker says it would only take about three hours to fully recharge a tapped out Flextreme battery.
The above feature with the Segway compartment I did not notice at the show, but it is an intriguing one nonetheless. Just think: if you need to get around the work or school campus once you park your Flextreme, then a Segway can be rolled out and used instead.
Quoting key General Motors management, we learn this about the Flextreme:
“Clean design, innovative features and environmental technology are hallmarks of Saturn’s newly revitalized portfolio,” said Saturn General Manager Jill Lajdziak. “The Flextreme concept demonstrates how these design-driven, innovative attributes will be applied in our next generation of vehicles, and it shows that unconventional thinking can result in great cars.”
Will the Flextreme ever see production? Since most concepts do not, I would say that answer is no. However, much as the Evoq influenced Cadillac design of the early part of the 21st century, the Flextreme could very well do the same for Saturn and Opel in the coming years.
Further Reading
Saturn Flextreme Aims At 444 Miles
The Saturn Flextreme Plug-In Concept: Efficiency Never Looked So Good
‘08 NAIAS: Saturn Flextreme Plug-In Concept
