Opel GTC Paris

The first official images of Opel/Vauxhall's new GTC Paris concept have been revealed ahead of the car's unveiling at the forthcoming Paris motor show. The three-door Astra-based concept previews the Astra sport hatch's successor and showcases the company's design evolution.

Mark Adams, GM Europe's vice president of design, has described the GTC Paris concept as "bold, pure and iconic" in its appearance. The bodyside features the brand's now signature 'blade' first seen on the Insignia, an element repeated in the head- and taillamps. Designers maximized tension though the flanks and in the shoulder to convey a greater sense of dynamism, which is also apparent in the upwards sweeping beltline and brushed aluminum trim that accentuates the DLO.

GM Europe claims that the production version will not stray far from the rakish lines of the concept and, if the GTC moniker is adopted, it will be the first time it will feature on a Vauxhall model. We'll bring you our own exclusive photos and our opinions of the concept once we see the car in the metal in Paris.