General Motor's integrated, retractable Flex-Fit bike rack

If you've been yearning for a long weekend on the campgrounds, and you've already made arrangements for a svelte hotel / tent hybrid to reside in, the only thing missing (besides the obligatory USB-powered lantern) is your bicycle. General Motors has developed a sleeker, more elegant method to hauling around your bike of choice than those awkward third-party apparatuses; its Flex-Fit system consists of an integrated bike rack that covertly hides within the rear bumper of your automobile, and at the presumed press of a button, the system pulls a stunt akin to those found in highly touted spy films. By sliding out from beneath the vehicle in order to holster the bike and expose a secondary license plate (in case the boys in blue need to check up on you), it removes the hassle of affixing a rack onto your ride, only to worry over its stability the entire trip. Once the bicycle has been removed, the mechanism slides conveniently back into the vehicle, leaving no trace of the SUV's carrying abilities. The system is only available on the (European) Opel Antara at the moment, and while we aren't sure if the Flex-Fit will ever find its way on to vehicles destined for America, having a bike onboard could be an excellent backup should you run out of fuel (or money to afford it).

[Evan @ Oct 4th 2006 11:34PM]

doesn't look very strong, does it?

[Rob @ Oct 4th 2006 11:41PM]

Should be a pretty good addition. GM really needs something to help sell cars lol.

Rob
aimfellas.blogspot.com

[Brian @ Oct 4th 2006 11:46PM]

that's awesome. strong? I don't know, but at least it's innovative

[LittleJoe @ Oct 4th 2006 11:47PM]

Ive been waiting for a car to come with a push-button license plate concealer. Woot! Its about time! Think of the illegal possibilities!!!

[Deluxe @ Oct 5th 2006 12:58AM]

You can clearly see that the conceald numberplate is secondary, for when a bike is in the way of the primary (Visible in the 3rd image).

[&& @ Oct 5th 2006 12:01AM]

Can't wait 'till someone finds a way to mount a flamethrower onto one of those. =)

[SurfedToTheEndAndBack @ Oct 5th 2006 12:03AM]

How long till the bike rack makers file an antitrust suit. How dare GM bundle a product someone else makes with their own!

[Antonio Rosario @ Oct 5th 2006 12:43AM]

Looks just like the Corgi James Bond Astin Martin DB5 I used to own when I was a kid:

http://www.sherwoodauctions.com/Auctions/sep28s188.jpg

[LittleJoe @ Oct 5th 2006 1:01AM]

If you dont mount a plate on the rear... you can do your evil business... unmarked... then later on pop that bikerack out (with plate) and be legit and care-free... thats what i was saying.

[Deluxe @ Oct 5th 2006 1:06AM]

Wouldn't having no plates in the plates spot, and a bike-rack out without a bike on it be a tad obvious for authoroties trying to track you down? Also being the only model car with that capability easily described.

And since when does "covering your trakcs" make you legit? lol.

[LittleJoe @ Oct 5th 2006 1:07AM]

jesus christ dude... i was just having fun, use your imagination... sheesh

[stevo @ Oct 5th 2006 2:09AM]

is anyone thinking what i'm thinking? ..free toll roads anyone?

[wxrman @ Oct 5th 2006 3:04AM]

...and the spare tire is located where?

[evox @ Oct 5th 2006 3:30AM]

the spare tire just gets moved to the bike rack. so it really is a retractable spare tire holder. Good job GM!

[Ssco @ Oct 5th 2006 5:11AM]

They've also added this system as an option on the New Corsa. Looks like a great idea to me.

Also, the spare tyre will most likely be stored under the car or under the boot liner

[Rboyett @ Oct 5th 2006 6:41AM]

The Opel Antara will be sold in the US as the next generation Saturn Vue. I think we have a decent chance of seeing this in our neck of the woods.

Its good to see GM continue to build on their recent successes.

[dextro @ Oct 5th 2006 7:17AM]

This was introduced here in Europe on the new Opel Corsa (or is it Vauxhel Corsa in the UK? I don't know), looked kind of cool and really usefull for those of us that still go into the big blue room...

[Pingu @ Oct 5th 2006 8:30AM]

There is a small mistake in the story. This system is also available with the new Opel Corsa, which was released a few month ago, at least in Germany.

So its seems that GM is introducing this system with the release of every new car model.

[David Thomas @ Oct 5th 2006 9:19AM]

Well this is all in Europe remember and the Antara is the one most likely to come to the US. That's why we blogged about this and not the Corsa. The Corsa "could" replace the Saturn Ion down the road but don't expect it anytime soon. This SUV could be on sale in the US as soon as next year.

[Dave95 @ Oct 5th 2006 10:29AM]

I think this is great! For bike riders (none professional mind you) looking for a way not to scrath you car paint on the way to the trail, this is great.

[ez @ Oct 5th 2006 10:42AM]

[chris griffin]Heh heh heh! **clap clap clap** heh heh heh![/chris griffin]

[M. Rod Von Hugenstein @ Oct 5th 2006 1:02PM]

This is awesome. As a cyclist, this would be a deciding factor if I was deciding between two similar cars.

Car buyers are increasingly gadget concious, and innovative ideas like this will definately generate interest among potential car buyers. Of course, the car this is attached to had better be worthwhile, or or this will simply be a flash in the pan.

[JC @ Oct 5th 2006 1:22PM]

GM R&D: Hey, forget build quality, let's develop accessories and maybe that will sell our cars!

GM Management: Huzzah!

And you wonder why the Japanese cars are winning.

[tunin @ Oct 5th 2006 2:55PM]

Hi there, not just the Opel Antara, this was introduced last year on one of the study
and it is already on the market installed in OPEL CORSA.

[Helen @ Oct 7th 2006 5:48AM]

This is a great idea but has anyone seen any details as to how many bikes it can hold?

[Crave @ Nov 26th 2006 10:17AM]

There is no spare tyre with the bike rack instead you get a can of repair foam and a compressor and it holds 2 bikes