The gate to the concept workshop opens. A unique model rolls out with wheels that are prominently positioned outwards, an amazing spoiler and a bright yellow roll bar. “That’s even more extreme than the photos show!” Lukas Wenzhöfer beams. It’s been a good eleven months since the 27-year-old sent the design data to Opel. Now the “Design Hack” winner takes a seat on the factory premises at the headquarters in Rüsselsheim for the first time – in the Opel Rocks e-XTREME. An electric vehicle with a wow factor, built according to his ideas and designs.
Because Opel took the design competition’s claim “You design it, we build it” literally and turned the design into reality step by step. In doing so, the company has opened doors that are usually tightly closed in the industry and allowed the Opel community to participate in the construction of a concept vehicle. The emission-free light vehicle à la Wenzhöfer has already been an eye-catcher at various events, including the IAA Mobility in Munich. Today it’s time: test drive for the idea generator.
“There’s a lot of sweat, work and know-how that goes into this.”
– Mario Heymann, Head of Concept Workshop –
And the mechanics, designers, engineers and service providers who created the emission-free off-roader don’t miss this either. “There’s a lot of sweat, work and know-how that goes into this,” says Mario Heymann, head of the Rüsselsheim concept workshop. Bringing this unique piece to life was also new territory for the specialists: “It was just one part of visually implementing the design as 1:1 as possible,” says Heymann. The much trickier part was converting the styling idea into a functional vehicle.
“One that drives, steers and brakes,” emphasizes lead project engineer Herbert Langguth. To do this, the specialists ran, fine-tuned and tinkered with the design data countless times through construction programs. The chassis was a particular challenge. Because the Challenge winner has given it an extensive upgrade: the fenders are lavishly dimensioned, the wheels with cross tires go far beyond the limits. The e-XTREME stands as wide and wide as possible on the road. To achieve this, the mechanics gave the off-roader a double wishbone axle at the front, as well as 50 millimeter aluminum racing springs. They also swallow uneven surfaces.
The wild offspring: The production version of the Opel Rocks Electric (right) was named “Best New Design of 2022” in the “Mini Cars” category with the “autonis”. The Opel Rocks e-XTREME goes one better and increases the driving fun that lies in the electric Mini.
A feature from Opel motorsport history is also making a comeback with the concept vehicle: “We gave the Rocks e-XTREME an original DTM spoiler that originally belonged to a Vectra GTS V8,” reveals mechanic and design specialist Michael Splieth . The off-road theme was clear to him from the start, says Lukas Wenzhöfer. “The Rocks Electric makes young people aged 15 and over mobile – I wanted to further intensify this feeling of freedom,” he describes his thoughts and delivers a version that also achieves its goal off the road. “My design is intended to show that e-mobility is more than just a sensible solution, but rather pure driving pleasure.”
Speaking of which – Lukas Wenzhöfer puts on the bright yellow seatbelt and turns the control to “Drive”. The electric mini, programmed for driving fun, wants to be moved. The power is doubled compared to the normal Rocks Electric – meaning: 12 kW continuous power and 18 kW peak power. That’s 16 or 24 hp. The young designer runs away. The Rüsselsheim factory premises are his habitat. “Despite all the love, it’s simply not possible to be street legal with the lavishly flared wheels,” says Herbert Langguth, as the electric Mini disappears around the next corner.
“The Rocks Electric makes young people aged 15 and over mobile – I wanted to further intensify this feeling of freedom.”
– Lukas Wenzhöfer, designer of the e-XTREME skirt –
Even so, the challenges for the concept team were plenty. Support was provided by long-standing service providers. Add-on parts such as the fenders or the Opel Vizor come from the 3D printer – “to keep the vehicle weight low and to support the performance of the electric motor,” says Alexander di Maglie from 4D Concepts, the specialists in prototype and model building services from Groß-Gerau . The LED daytime running lights integrated into the Vizor come from Lightworks, a service provider that was already involved in the neoclassic Manta GSe. “When Opel calls, exciting projects are always guaranteed,” says Philipp Kolb, electronics specialist for the system provider of lighting solutions.
A note that Lukas Wenzhöfer, who is back from his test drive, also agrees with, nodding: “This,” he says, “is even better than I hoped.” The Rocks e-XTREME blew him away: “The direct feedback the steering, the handling, the feeling when you turn sharply into the curve – it couldn’t be better.” His thanks go to the entire Opel team: “Not only did you implement the design coolly, but you also kept me involved in the process share – great!”
You can experience the Opel Rocks e-XTREME live soon on October 26th in X and on XX.XX in Y.
“Not only did you implement the design in a cool way, but you also kept me involved – great!”
– Idea creator Lukas Wenzhöfer –
Part of the team that made the Rocks e-XTREME a reality (clockwise starting from the passenger door): Philipp Kolb, Mario Heymann, Hasan Cicek, Peter Junghanns, Quentin Huber, Michael Splieth, Alexander di Maglie and Stefano Lamelza. On the right side it continues with Roman Rudek, Martin-Günter Göbel, Antony Bailey, Lukas Wenzhöfer, Herbert Langguth, Michael Dahlke, Simon Gross, Christoph Adam and Alexander Maus.
The team behind the Opel Rocks e-XTREME
Designer Lukas Wenzhöfer
Initiators of the #OPELDESIGNHACKSRebecca Reinermann, Quentin Huber, Philipp Quanz
JuryFlorian Huettl, Mark Adams, Elena Funk, Jessica Thön, Florian Theis
Project management Peter Junghanns, Christoph Adam, Philipp Quanz
Engineering, Electrics & Workshop TeamHerbert Langguth, Mario Heymann, Michael Splieth, Stefano Lamelza, Roman Rudek, Martin-Guenter Göbel, Simon Gross, Hasan Cicek, Michael Dahlke, Alexander Maus, Antony Leslie Bailey, Peter Jung, Manuel Kochen, Robert Giessmann , Markus Rockenbach, Lutz Uhlenbruch, Zhi Zhang, Jürgen Jakobi, Alexander Radtke, Philipp Hoffmann, Christof Fähnrich, Alexander di Maglie (4D Concepts GmbH), Philipp Kolb (Lightworks GmbH), Selim Bilgic (H&R Spezialfedern)
Communications/PRPatrick Munsch, David Hamprecht, Axel Seegers, Colin Yong, Natalia Pagano, Carina Elsinger, Mark Bennett
Social MediaPhilipp Quanz, Christoph Adam, Lucas Ripperger
October 2023
Photos: Chris Adam, Andreas Liebschner