First Pix of New Opel Coupe-Roadster
Opel has released the first picture of a compact coupe-roadster which it will launch in 2004. The new model, still having no name, is part of the German automakers strategy of offering niche models in future and to have such models account for 20% of the product range.
Likely to sit on a new B-class platform, the 2-seat coupe-roadster will feature feature an electro-hydraulically operated, retractable steel roof. This concept is fast becoming popular with many manufacturers and is already fitted to cars like the Porsche Boxster, Peugeot 206CC and Mercedes SLK.
Being a niche model, it will not have the sort of volumes that justify being produced at Opel’s high-volume factories so French coachbuilder, Groupe Henri Heuliez S.A. will build the new Opel. This would be the second model (in recent times) Opel has commissioned other companies to build, the first being the Opel Speedster which is made by Lotus in UK. Companies like Peugeot also assign production of niche models to other specialised builders, eg some of the Peugeot cabriolets have been made by Pininfarina for many years.
