14.11.2005
Antara GTC named "Concept of the Year"

The Antara GTC (Gran Turismo Crossover) concept vehicle won the prestigious "Concept of the Year" title in this year’s Autocar awards. The annual ceremony, hosted by Britain’s longest-running car magazine, recognizes the very best in the global car industry.

Autocar’s editor Rob Aherne praised the dynamic design, saying: “Opel/Vauxhall is back on track with their design direction. There’s no New Edge design or Flame Surfacing at their design centre, just a bunch of professionals designing some of the most attractive family cars of the moment.”

Accepting the honor, GM Europe’s Executive Director of Design Bryan Nesbitt said: “It’s quite rewarding to receive this honor from such a prestigious and established motoring magazine. We’re very proud of the dynamic designs we have for both current and future products. Therefore, it’s a tribute to the hard work of our design team to have our creativity and execution recognized at such an influential level.”

From the V-shaped radiator grill to the 20-inch wheels of polished aluminum, the Antara GTC study symbolizes a dynamism that breaks through conventional boundaries. It brings together the seemingly contradictory design patterns of a sporty coupé and a powerful SUV, and breaches both of them at the same time.

Typical details like the crease on the engine hood, the roof module inspired by the new Zafira and the shape of the lights also show that the concept vehicle is an unmistakable member of the Opel/Vauxhall family.

The Antara GTC concept car made its world premiere two months ago at the 2005 Frankfurt Motor Show. The production version crossover vehicle will be launched before the end of 2006 and will be named Antara.