The future of Vauxhall: exclusive drive of the GT X Experimental EV

“Don’t think of the GT X as a production car,” says Adams. “It’s more important than that. We call it a brand manifesto – a representative of our design vision for the company’s whole portfolio.” 

Production proposal or not, the company’s Russelsheim-based designers chose one of today’s most relevant model types for the GT X Experimental, a B-segment SUV, because such models are selling out of their skins all around the world, with no sign of a let-up. This one is just over four metres long, the same size as the current Vauxhall Corsa. It is designed to use a new, all-electric skateboard chassis and features a 50kWh battery that, in production, would give it performance and range similar to that of the latest Nissan Leaf. 

As I approach the car to drive it, the ideal nature of the skateboard becomes obvious. Although it’s an SUV, clearly higher than a saloon, it looks petite and shapely, because its front-drive mechanicals are more compact and easier to package than those of a piston-engined car. 

The big wheels (featuring big-diameter, yellow-edged hubcaps that make the tyres look like low-profile affairs, even though they’re not) and the generous ground clearance give the car a hint of toughness that is immediately softened by the shapely but structured surfaces above: the sculpted bonnet, the neat and unique Vizor grille/headlights treatment and the muscular haunches. Give Adams a stray minute and he’ll lecture you on the importance of perfect proportions to a car. This GT X has them. 

When the clap-hands doors sigh electrically open (revealing that there’s no centre pillars), it’s a bit of a surprise to discover so much room for entry and egress. The sills are low and there’s generous room for legs to swing inwards. The driver’s front bucket seat (already recovered once because so many Opel-Vauxhall staff bums have been using this concept for inspiration) is comfortable and the view takes you back to days when cabins lacked intrusive pillars and clutter, another of Adams’s hobby horses. 

The Pure Panel, a giant TFT screen, comes into its own when the computers start to hum and giant graphics appear. There’s a huge digital speed readout (because avoiding speeding is ever more important today). There is also a huge map, far easier to read than any I’ve seen before, with a clever portrayal of your journey related to a range meter. The clarity is exceptional and everything is touch or voice operated. 

The steering wheel boss also has a small TFT screen, as does the centre-mounted rocker switch for selecting Drive. 

Driving is a delicious anti-climax. Foot on brake, I rock the centre switch into Drive. With a gentle push on the accelerator, we roll off the mark in near-silence, the promise of electric car precision and refinement instantly obvious. The car gathers way easily. Too easily, actually, for the confines of a hangar. I back off, but there isn't much engine braking. Regenerative braking would (and will) fix that.