| Opel Tech 1 Concept | |
| Manufacturer: | Opel |
| Production: | 1981 (Concept car) |
| Predecessor: | 1979 Opel Kadett (D) |
| Successor: | 1985 Opel Kadett (E) |
| Body Style: | 5-door hatchback |
| Layout: | Transverse front-engine, front-wheel drive |
| Platform: | T Platform |
| Type: | Concept car |
The Opel Tech 1 Concept was a research vehicle and concept car developed by Opel, a subsidiary of General Motors. It was exhibited at the 1981 International Motor Show Germany (IAA) in Frankfurt. The car was based on the fourth-generation Opel Kadett D and used the platform, which was called the T Car. The vehicle was designed by Erhard Schnell[1] and foreshadowed some of the design aspects found on production Opel/Vauxhall cars released throughout the 1980s.
The design targeted a peak of aerodynamics and reached a drag coefficient of 0.235 cw thanks in part to a panoramic windshield. Some of the car's aerodynamic features made it into production form on both the 1984 Opel Kadett E and the 1986 Opel Omega – most evidently its front-end styling. The Tech 1's wheel design entered into mass production as an alloy wheel option on top-spec models of the Opel Rekord E2/Vauxhall Carlton. [2] [3]
All controls were push buttons; only the steering wheel, gear lever and foot controls were conventional.[4] [5]