OPEL MAXX, 1995
One of the most frustrating things for the makers of a forgotten concept car must be seeing the exact same idea rock up into production a year or three later and smooching the zeitgeist like the final scene of a particularly bad romcom. A prime example would be this delightful little Opel Maxx, a car developed while what would become the Smart City-Coupe in 1998 was going through development purgatory.
The innovative Maxx was unveiled at the Geneva show back in March 1995, and then again at the Birmingham Motor Show that October with Vauxhall badges hastily glued over the Opel lightning bolt, highlighting the modular design that ran through the car at every level.
Indeed, the Opel Maxx concept offered a modular platform, innovative new methods of aluminium construction, a high-tech threecylinder engine design and a versatile lifestyle-oriented interior. This thing would win you a game of new car announcement bingo in 2022, let alone nearly 30 years ago. Throw in an electric version and that’s house.
The idea was for there to be convertible, pickup, van and off-roader versions of the car, with buyers being given the opportunity after purchase to further personalise their cars with various extras. Wonder if that money printing magic will ever catch on? The interior was entirely flexible too – you could move the rear bench about to create space for four adults, or use the room for two adults and enjoy more luggage space than a contemporary Astra estate, claimed the company.
The 1.0-litre 3cyl engine produced a mighty 49bhp (83bhp now if it was money and you accounted for inflation), did 0–62mph in 12.1secs but would manage a mighty 72.4mpg. It might have accelerated more slowly than other cars, but you’d soon catch up when all those other chumps had to stop and fill up with petrol.
The Maxx was a true lightweight, tipping the scales at a mere 650kg. It also shrank into insignificance next to the car that would beat it to market. Its front-engine, front-wheel-drive car seems a little square next to the Smart’s rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive set-up, and the dashboard looked distinctly like the control pad of an early Nineties games console.
Most of the 1998 Smart City-Coupe’s appeal was its chic design and colourful palette, the sort of fashion trinket that made it a must-have accessory for easily led urban types. If you’d been driving an Opel Maxx you would have had to explain why it was cool, which automatically makes it uncool. Probably quite sensible that it never got the green light in the end.