Automotive

Vauxhall Monza Concept to feature LED projection infotainment system

Vauxhall Monza Concept to feature LED projection infotainment system
The Vauxhall Monza Concept will be presented at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September
The Vauxhall Monza Concept will be presented at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September
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The Vauxhall Monza Concept reflects the original 70s Monza
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The Vauxhall Monza Concept reflects the original 70s Monza
The huge air scoops dominate the grille
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The huge air scoops dominate the grille
The Vauxhall Monza Concept will be presented at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September
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The Vauxhall Monza Concept will be presented at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September
The Vauxhall Monza Concept uses a modular powertrain
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The Vauxhall Monza Concept uses a modular powertrain
The Vauxhall Monza Concept is the first passenger car fitted with an LED projector display
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The Vauxhall Monza Concept is the first passenger car fitted with an LED projector display
The lines of the Vauxhall Monza Concept are based on ocean waves and greyhounds
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The lines of the Vauxhall Monza Concept are based on ocean waves and greyhounds
The Vauxhall Monza Concept has gullwing doors
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The Vauxhall Monza Concept has gullwing doors
The oversized doors allow for easy entry and exit
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The oversized doors allow for easy entry and exit
The Vauxhall Monza Concept was designed by Vauxhall's sister firm Opel
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The Vauxhall Monza Concept was designed by Vauxhall's sister firm Opel
The Vauxhall Monza Opel's rear brake light detail
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The Vauxhall Monza Opel's rear brake light detail
View gallery - 10 images

When we last looked at the Vauxhall Monza Concept, Vauxhall/Opel CEO Karl-Thomas Neumann hinted at an innovative infotainment technology and new body design. Now the lid has been lifted a bit, and we can see more of the new take on the 70s classic. When the concept is presented at the Frankfurt Motor Show next month, it will not only have a modular powertrain, but the first LED projection infotainment system fitted in a passenger car.

Since the 4-seater Monza is a concept, the designers at Vauxhall's sister firm, Opel, put the emphasis on style by combining aerodynamic smoothness with echoes of the original Monza. The bonnet has the distinctive Vauxhall crease and the Monza front end, though the huge air intakes dominating the look and the angularity of the grille don't match very well with the smoothness of the bonnet. It’s telling that Vauxhall compares the car’s lines to both ocean waves and greyhounds because there is a flowing beauty to the lines, but they also have the feel of two visions battling with one another as the sleekness of a mover collide with the large cab of a luxury ride.

One thing the Monza Concept can boast is that it’s easy to get in and out of. There are massive gullwing doors, though Vauxhall likes to call them “condor” winged. Given their size, it's an apt term. There’s no B-pillar and when the doors swing up, they seem to eat up half the car. This leaves a lot of room for both front and rear passengers to step out.

The huge air scoops dominate the grille
The huge air scoops dominate the grille

However, the centerpiece of the Monza Concept is the LED projection infotainment system. An automotive first, it dispenses with dedicated separate monitors in favor of a single projection surface that covers the entire dashboard in one continuous display by means of 18 LED projectors. The 3D graphics are customizable as are the background and decorative elements. This display handles all driving information, entertainment, navigation, and communications, and is operated either by voice or steering wheel controls.

To prevent distraction, the display is designed for, according to Vauxhall, “simplifying the multitude,” so it only presents information that is necessary or desired to prevent the driver from being deluged with irrelevant and distracting data. There’s also smartphone connectivity in three modes: ME, which disconnects the driver’s smartphone and prioritizes information; US, which allows friends and family to log in to the infotainment system and exchange information from their own device; and ALL, which allows the deliver to swap all manner of information, such as route planning, ride sharing and others.

The oversized doors allow for easy entry and exit
The oversized doors allow for easy entry and exit

Another innovation that the Monza showcases is its modular engine design, that allows for a choice of powertrains. According to Vauxhall, the Concept on display at Frankfurt will be fitted with a hybrid electric drive with a 3-cylinder 1.0 SIDI turbo running on compressed natural gas as the range extender.

“Connectivity is demonstrated by a trailblazing LED projection technology for instrument and infotainment displays,” says Dr. Karl-Thomas Neumann, Opel/Vauxhall CEO. “Efficiency comes in many ways, with lightweight design, optimal use of interior space, and advanced powertrain technology. The Monza Concept is based on increasing electrification of the automobile in everyday driving, from range-extender to fuel cell. And as far as styling is concerned, we are expressing pure efficiency in a new, lean and athletic interpretation of our typical sculptural shapes.”

The Frankfurt Motor Show runs September 12 to 22.

Source: Vauxhall

View gallery - 10 images
5 comments
5 comments
Nairda
A viable concept. Good engine choice.
I suspect the struts for the huge door would have to be visible unless is it completely electric. For safety purposes it will likely have to be strut because for opening in an emergency (in absence of power) the combined door would be too heavy for the average Joe to lift. But overcoming this, I would have liked it if the door would extend to the start of the rear lights, so when you open the door there is access to the rear compartment. In reality I suspect this one door concept has too many limitations and weakens the car structure too much, creating a situation where the vehicle will become heavier due to extra reinforcement. Plus imagine this door picking up speed on the way down and catching your hand. Unlike the average door, this would break bones.
Lewis M. Dickens III
Nice to know that Vauxhall has not been wiped out by the Recession.
From Wayne Cherry to Simon Cox and his incredible Converj to whoever the designer is, not reported here.
Don't stop.
Bill
Jonathan Cole
That is a really beautiful car. If the winged doors were made of carbon fibre they might work. Even with normal doors the car would be outstanding. Such a car with plugin-hybrid drive-train and such excellent aerodynamics would sell!! Most other hybrids are really ugly.
Stephen N Russell
Bout time they upgrade Opel, Id drive this & or rent for EU even, awesome
Andrew Zuckerman
So glad for those pictures of the infotainment system