It’s said that the best stories are taken from real life. We’d like to tell you of the recently held 86th annual Geneva Motor Show, which marked a thrilling new chapter in the (real-life) story of Opel. This event, which takes place in the idyllic Swiss city at the foot of the Alps, is one of the most important exhibitions in the automotive industry. Here, you’ll find our top 10 moments and scenes from the show – we want to recount them to those unable to attend.

Congratulations: Hakan Matson (right), chairman of the “Car of the Year” jury, during the handshake with Opel CEO Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann and the new Astra

„Opel is back!“

– Karl-Thomas Neumann, Opel CEO –

This is how an approachable sports car of the future looks like: The GT Concept, presented by Karl-Thomas Neumann, continues the great design tradition which began with the Experimental GT in 1965.

“Bonjour, mesdames et messieurs!” A beaming Karl-Thomas Neumann, GM Executive Vice President & President Europe, steps onto the stage. He proceeds to item one on the press conference agenda: On 29 February, Astra was named ‘Car of the Year,’ one of the automotive industry’s most prestigious distinctions. The competition was close. Hakan Matson, president of the Car of the Year jury, offered Neumann his congratulations: “The Astra elevates the entire compact class to a whole new level.” Item two on the agenda: The world premiere of the GT Concept, currently concealed beneath a silver drape. The car is unveiled to a flurry of flashbulbs. Neumann calls the GT Concept “one of the most exciting studies that I’ve ever seen.” Car Design News calls it ‘Car of the Show.’ Item three on the agenda: The new Mokka X. The original model has attracted its fair share of admirers, so this version is sure to succeed. After all, Europe’s 500,000 Mokka drivers can’t be wrong. The adventurous X model is a further improvement on the beloved compact SUV. The best part of today’s story? As Neumann put it, “Opel is back.”

“But it’s still been a lot of fun, especially since you don’t normally get asked to pose for so many photos at my age.”

– Erhard Schnell –

The master and his work: Erhard Schnell and the GT.

A legend meets the face of the future

Opel presented the old-school GT alongside the GT Concept at the Opel Pre-Event, to great acclaim. Participating journalists also got to meet Erhard Schnell, the man behind the legendary 1965 model. Schnell, who is now 88 years old, was Head of the Advanced Design Studio that brought the GT into the world.

Mr. Schnell, you’ve returned as an Opel spokesperson for this year’s show in Geneva. How does that feel at the age of 88?
It’s definitely been challenging. I’ve been fielding questions from journalists all day. But it’s still been a lot of fun, especially since you don’t normally get asked to pose for so many photos at my age. I get to stand next to my GT, surrounded by beautiful young women – I can’t really complain.

When you were developing the GT, did you know that you were creating an icon?
None of us would have dared to dream of that at the time. We were a very young team. What we lacked in work experience, we more than made up for in enthusiasm. What’s more, my studio team had to develop the Rekord C – the one with the famous hip swing – at the same time as the GT. To be honest, that project was more important to us back then. It’s all the nicer, then, that the car we created on the side still fascinates people today.

When you see your GT and the GT Concept next to one another, what goes through your mind?
Mark Adams, Opel’s Head Designer, put it best at the press conference: The GT Concept isn’t a retro car or a reinterpretation of our GT’s design; it’s a car that embodies the same innovative spirit that distinguished our GT in its time. I think they’ve done an excellent job of carrying the torch.

Journalists from 22 European countries distributed points, in a manner resembling the Eurovision Song Contest system.

Adrenaline and a lot of happiness hormones characterize this photo: After winning the COTY finals the Opel team proudly displays the award – thereby, PR Manager Jean-Philippe Kempf touches his knee.

The hour of glory

Jean-Philippe Kempf, Opel’s PR Manager, accompanied the 58-member Car of the Year jury for several months – organizing test drives at the Opel Test Center in Dudenhofen, Germany, attending the final test held for the other six finalists in France, preparing presentations for automotive journalists, and navigating rounds of questions and answers. When the day of reckoning came, he saw the Mazda MX-5 standing in the middle of the row of seven finalists, located at the front of the foyer where the final points would be awarded. “When I saw that, I knew: Today won’t be our day.” He was wrong. The ceremony began. Journalists from 22 European countries distributed points, in a manner resembling the Eurovision Song Contest system. Kempf recounts the ups and downs he experienced as the points were distributed, reliving the emotions he felt: “We’re in the lead. Euphoria sets in. Then we fall behind the Volvo. My colleague Martin Golka, who’s standing next to me, stays confident: ‘We can do it!’ I can’t look anymore. The last points come in. 6 from England. Loud cheering. We did it!” This story has a happy ending for all Opel employees. Congratulations are in order for our worthy competitors at the podium, the Volvo XC90 and the Mazda MX-5 (the one who was standing in the middle).

The GT Concept and its mini-me.

By the way: Last September, Racers Paradise, the manufacturers behind these premium remote-controlled models, were bombarded with calls. To save them (and you) the trouble, we’ve already asked the company’s owner, Markus Knott, what you want to know. His answer: “Yes, the remote-controlled model of the GT Concept will go into production. It’ll be available for purchase starting next.”

Baby brother’s 20 seconds in the spotlight

Whoosh! A small, remote-controlled model of the GT Concept zooms down the red trail leading from the entrance of the Starling Hotel through the hall where the Opel Pre-Event is taking place. This hall is a relaxed space where journalists can gather information from industry contacts before the trade fair proper begins. Here, this little remote-controlled car, a 1:10 model of the GT Concept, is displayed along its big brother as well as its big brother’s predecessor, the 1965 GT Experimental. This is an homage to an event held last year: Last September, at the International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt, Germany, 7,600 people watched a YouTube clip of a small, remote-controlled Astra visiting its big brother at the Opel booth. We believe that good stories call for a sequel.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIeehoM-FnA

A story in pictures

The GT Concept puts a big smile on Giulia Steingruber’s face. The Swiss national is the reigning European champion in all-around gymnastics, and she’s thrilled by this sports car study: “The design is bold and exciting. Opel is making a strong impact again.”

A trio with a keen sense of style: the car show’s hostess, Doris ‘la plus belle’ Rousene and her male companion think the “GT’s Coke bottle-esque hip swing is timelessly beautiful.”

A selfie with female fans and the Astra: The Swiss-Egyptian track and field athlete Kariem Hussein, 2014 European champion in the 400-meter hurdles, enjoys a visit to the Opel booth.

The (brief) tale of the booth

And now, a few facts and figures about the Opel booth. It took 14 days to build, with the help of 40 trucks and up to 70 people working simultaneously. Its 15-square meter LED wall features high-resolution lights with a total of 983,040 pixels. The booth has 20 loudspeakers, 362 spotlights, and a traverse length of 2.5 kilometers. The structure weighs 50 tons in total.

The Geneva concept: Not only cars are meticulously designed by Opel, but also the booths, where one presents the automotive products.

 The figures are impressive – in February, Opel model sales rose 28% in comparison with the previous month.

Where stories were shared

Behind the massive LED wall, in the back office section of the Opel booth, three rooms were reserved for those who research stories for a living. Right after the press conference, journalists had the opportunity to meet GM Executive Vice President & President Europe Karl-Thomas Neumann and Vice President & CMO Opel Group Tina Müller in person. Since several hundred journalists expressed interest, they stuck to a tight schedule of eleven 30-minute rounds and posed questions in groups. The product journalists mainly wanted to know one thing: Will the GT Concept be built? Karl-Thomas Neumann’s answer: “The decision still hasn’t been made.” The economic journalists, on the other hand, hungered for figures. And those figures are impressive – in February, Opel model sales in Germany rose by 28% in comparison with the previous month.

In the focus of interest: the Concept GT.

Kicking off a trend

Opel presented many eye-catching sights in Geneva. The most unexpected of these hovered right above the ground: deep red sneakers, boots, and heels. This footwear was all in the same shade as the front tires of the GT Concept. Why was that? A representative at a neighboring booth attempted to provide an explanation. “Red just has a striking and lively feel to it.” That’s right. It seems like the GT Concept’s red tires – which are, incidentally, an homage to the tires of the Motoclub 500 motorcycle – kicked off a new fashion trend.

A tribute sees red: The Opel motorcycle Motoclub 500, developed in 1928, is responsible for this recording.

“The reactions to the Mokka X have been very positive.”

– Thomas Benkner, Product Marketing –

Writing a new chapter with X

500,000 Mokka models have been sold in Europe – not too shabby. Now, this model faces the challenge of continuing its success story, and making it even greater. The new Mokka comes with an X, as will all future Opel crossover models. Thomas Benkner of Opel Product Marketing, who started answering journalists’ questions at 7:30 a.m. on press days, is certain that this new feature will lead to success. “The new model has been called exciting, innovative, and affordable – the reactions to the Mokka X have been very positive.” It’s got a new look, a new 1.4-liter turbocharged gas engine, and the latest generation of infotainment: “all the right stuff.”

The new small SUV is exciting, innovative and affordable. In other words: It is an Opel.

„I look forward to the 330 hp of this Astra and the competition in the ADAC TCR Germany series“

– Jasmin Preisig, race driver –

Saving the fastest for last

As a special treat for motorsports fans, Opel brought the racecar member of the Astra family along to Geneva: the new Astra TCR. The speedy Jasmin Preisig, a 23-year-old Swiss driver, will command this 330-horsepower car on the racetracks. She was present at the Opel booth alongside the car, a contender in the 2016 Touring Car Racing Series. Preisig and her adversaries will start their engines on 16 April in the Motorsport Arena Oschersleben in Saxony-Anhalt, Germany – thereby adding a new chapter to the long story of Opel’s involvement with motorsports.

The Astra TCR likes it rough: The racing car with a two-liter turbo engine, which brings it to 330 hp and 420 Nm of torque.