For one, the Opel E-flex has a 1.3-liter Ecotec turbodiesel engine, while Volt has a 1-liter 3-cylinder turbo E85/flex-fuel engine. The electric motor generates up to 120kW and 320Nm.

Secondly, the two concept cars have differently styled exteriors.The Opel e-flex has a modern, hatchback body while the Volt has the look of a sedan. The Opel E-flex is reported to have a glass panoramic roof, rear suicide doors, and rearview cameras instead of traditional mirrors.

The Opel E-flex, like the Volt, runs on an electric-motor in the front till the lithium-ion batteries are exhausted. The battery power in the Opel E-flex lasts for 40 miles after which the diesel engine comes into play. (According to some other reports, the range of the electric engine is going to be 62 miles.) The battery can be plugged into an electric outlet for charging, and there is even a Segway compartment at the rear which can charge and pack two Segways – something that establishes that the E-Flex / Flextreme, is justa  concept for the being from Opel.

The Ford Kuga is expected to go on sale in Europe next year. It isexpected that the Ford Kuga will roll out with petrol and turbodiesel options. There are no engine specifications available. The price has not been fixed too. There are no photos yet, but Ford has released
some sketches of the Kuga. The Kuga will be built at Ford’s Saarlouis plant in Germany.

The compact SUV will come with a 4X4 drive. The car will be available across Europe. The Kuga will be built on the same platform as the Ford Focus and the Ford C Max. The Kuga will take on Opel/Vauxhall Antara and Volkswagen Tiguan in the same SUV crossover category.

It was earlier believed that Ford planned to export Kuga to NorthAmerica under the brand name Ford Lincoln. The plan does not exist any more.

According to John Fleming, President and CEO, Ford of Europe, the Ford Kuga will be fulfilling a promise the company made two years back that it will develop stylish new model based on the Iosis X concept.

According to Ford of Europe Executive Design Director Martin Smith, the company recognised that image-conscious SUV buyers wanted a very individual car, which seamlessly blends on-road and off-road capabilities. The Kuga is the result of this recognition.

The company claims that the Ford Kuga will stand out from the rest of the crowd with its kinetic design philosophy. The design was made at the OEM in Europe. Ford terms the Kuga “athletic” and “charismatic.”

Production of Ford Kuga will start in early 2008. The car will go on sale from the spring of 2008.