Showing posts with label Opel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Opel. Show all posts

Opel Brings Adam Rocks and R2 Rallye Concepts to the Geneva Motor Show


As it turns out, ItalDesign's pair of Parcour concepts aren't the only studies making their debut at the Geneva Motor Show that are inspired by parkour athletes, as Opel claims the same about its new Adam Rocks, though, we'll take the former any time of the day and night if anybody is offering keys, thank you very much.

Opel Adam Concepts

Opel Adam Concepts

Opel Adam Concepts

Opel Adam Concepts

Opel Adam Concepts

Opel Adam Concepts

If you want the short story –and we're guessing you probably do, the Adam Rocks is a concept that gives Opel's premium a little more character by blending styling elements from crossovers with a large retractable fabric top.

The Adam-based model features a 15mm higher and 40mm wider stance, along with new body cladding, redesigned bumpers and a fresh set of wheels, and yes, Opel is likely considering a production model for the near future.

The second Opel Adam concept is the R2 Rallye that follows the "CUP" version launched in November of 2012. It is based on FIA R2 regulations R2 and is powered by a 1.6-liter ECOTEC gasoline engine generating 182hp (185PS / 136kW) and peak torque of 190Nm.

Following its homologation, the ADAM R2 will be eligible for every national championship in Europe. "All 40 vehicles that Opel planned to race in Germany and France have already been sold and are in the hands of their proud owners,” said new Opel CEO, Karl-Thomas Neumann.

Articles Source : Carscoop

First Look at the New Opel Adam ROCKS Concept with a Sliding Cloth Top


Here are the first real-life pictures of the new Adam "ROCKS", Opel's Geneva Motor Show-bound concept that combines select crossover styling cues with a rollover cloth top similar to the one employed by Fiat on the 500 Cabrio and Citroen on the DS3 Cabrio.

Opel Adam Rocks Concept

Opel Adam Rocks Concept

Opel Adam Rocks Concept

Opel Adam Rocks Concept

Opel Adam Rocks Concept

The tougher looking Adam Rocks stands higher and wider on its wheels, featuring extended wheel arches and body cladding all around, along with metal-finish skid plates under the front and rear bumpers, as well as a central exhaust pipe.

Whether or not the Rocks concept will spawn a production model for the Opel and Vauxhall brands, remains to be seen. Until we get more information from the German firm, make the jump to check out the first pictures of the concept from the Geneva Auto Salon.

Articles Source : Carscoop

Road Test: Opel Mokka 1.7 CDTI SE


Price as tested: €26,495

+ Styling, handling, quality
– Noisy & outdated engine, tight rear seats and boot
= Firmly underscores Opel's premium ambitions

Opel really needs a hit right now. The company has lost no less than €17-billion in the past decade and a half and while its paymasters at General Motors in Detroit have stuck with Opel through thick and (very) thin, patience is running low. So, with minimal surprise, Opel is having a crack at the fastest-growing segment in European motoring. At a time when the market for cars in Europe as a whole is either stalling or falling, SUVs, especially of the small and efficient variety, are charging ahead, taking buyers out of conventional hatchbacks and saloons. Score a hit here, and it will lift Opel as a whole.

No pressure then, but the Mokka gets of to a good start by looking really, really good. With the sporty bodykit fitted to our SE-spec test car, you could even accuse it of looking over-styled, but it succeeds where its key rival, the Nissan Juke, fails; it’s looks distinctive and exciting without being actively ugly.

Inside too, the styling is a success. Now, the brown, brown and beige colour scheme of our test car was, it must be admitted, a tad eye-watering and most conservative Irish customers will stick to plain old black, thanks very much. But if Opel is serious about its ambitions to break into the premium car market, then the Mokka’s cabin at least makes that ambition start to look realistic. Although it basically pinches existing parts and styling from the likes of the Astra and Insignia, it’s an especially successful casserole of parts, and the levels of quality seem to be very high. OK, so the fact that our car was an SE model, which came with leather seats and steering wheel (both of which were heated) and a bevvy of options such as Sat Nav, Bluetooth and more doubtless lifted the ambience, but the basic structure, design and quality are what really shone through.

It’s a shame then that as soon as you turn the key, some of that premium sheen is dispelled. Opel’s 1.7-litre CDTI diesel engine is both efficient (in terms of its economy and Co2 emissions) and powerful (130bhp and 300Nm of torque make the Mokka feel pretty peppy) but the noise and vibration are distinctly old-school. The engine’s basic design dates back to an early-nineties Isuzu unit and it shows, badly. It shakes the whole car on start-up, clatters noisily until you reach a steady cruising speed and has a bad habit of stalling on a light throttle around town. Opel is working on a brand-new 1.6-litre diesel to replace this engine (it makes its debut later this year in the facelifted Insignia saloon) and, frankly, it can’t come soon enough. Mind you, even given all that, the 1.7’s 65mpg potential and 120g/km Co2 rating (€200 a year road tax) are enough to make it still the engine of choice, and at least that punchy mid-range grunt is pleasing.

So too is the Mokka’s dynamic performance. This is an SUV that is actually fun and engaging to drive. The steering is nicely balanced and weighted and you can fling the Mokka through corners with enjoyable abandon. The only mark against the chassis is the fact that the sort of short, sharp, numerous bumps that so afflict our roads can make the Mokka feel a bit too bouncy and skippy, reminding you that underneath is a pretty simply-engineered Corsa chassis.

We do have some concerns over the practicality of the Mokka though. A 356-litre boot sounds pretty good on paper, but in reality it’s just never quite big enough. Many of these cars will be bought by growing families, and a big, three-wheeled buggy is almost enough to overwhelm to boot space. Likewise, space in the back seats is a touch too tight. It’s actually better for tall-ish adults, able to squeeze their knees into the cutouts in the backs of the front seats, but for younger children, perched up and forward in bulky child car seats, space is on the tight side and parents will find themselves cranking their seats forward, taxi-driver-style, to keep the younglings happy.

While all that makes the Mokka sound like a bit too much of a mixed bag, we actually came away from the car quite liking it. Its style and genuine premium-quality feel are very appealing, and it will eventually get the new, smoother diesel engine it deserves. If the likes of the Skoda Yeti has the Mokka beat for cabin and boot space, then at least the Opel can hit back with swaggering style, a quality not to be underestimated in this part of the market.

The €64-million question of whether it will be a hit, or a big enough hit, for Opel will remain unanswered for now, but what’s not in question is that Opel’s first foray into the compact SUV world is well-judged.

Facts & Figures
Opel Mokka 1.7 CDTI SE
Price as tested: €26,495
Range price: €19,995 to €29,495
Capacity: 1,686cc

Power: 130bhp
Torque: 300Nm 
Top speed: 187kmh 
0-100kmh: 10.5sec
Economy: 4.5l-100km (64mpg)
CO2 emissions: 120g/km
VRT Band: A4. €200 road tax
Euro NCAP rating: 5-star; 96% adult, 90% child, 67% pedestrian, 100% safety assist






New Opel Adam Rocks is a Faux-Crossover Flavored Concept with a Retractable Roof


GM's European division Opel, and subsequently its Vauxhall counterpart in Britain, will try to kill two birds with one stone at next month's 83rd Geneva Auto Show, where they will present the new Adam Rocks Concept.
Opel Vauxhall Adam Concepts
Opel Vauxhall Adam Concepts

Opel Vauxhall Adam Concepts
Opel Vauxhall Adam Concepts

Opel Vauxhall Adam Concepts
Opel Vauxhall Adam Concepts

Opel Vauxhall Adam Concepts
Opel Vauxhall Adam Concepts

The study is based on the production Adam, which has been given a crossover-style makeover while also gaining a sardine can-like retractable fabric roof, similar to that found on the Fiat 500C and Citroen DS3 Cabrio, though, in Opel's case, the rear windshield appears to remain intact.

Riding on a 15mm taller suspension, the rugged-looking Adam Rocks features a 20mm wider stance thanks to a new body kit that adds plastic cladding on all four wheel arches, as well as on the bumpers and side skirts. Front and rear protective plates, a new set of alloy wheels and central exhaust pipe complete the transformation.

“With even bolder design than any other ADAM, the ROCKS is an impressive demonstration of how much more potential for individualization our new small lifestyle car still offers after its market launch. It combines the toughness of a crossover with the coolness of open air driving,” says Malcolm Ward, Opel/Vauxhall Lead Design Director.

Articles Source : Carscoop

News: Opel has 20,000 orders for Adam


Now, we all know that Opel was taking a massive risk by launching the new Adam. A rival to the likes of the Fiat 500, Mini and Citroen DS3, it tries to take Opel into a funky premium hatchback market that's a tough nut to crack. Tougher still when you're set to lose $1.5-billion in Europe in 2012 and you need a big hit to drag up both your image and your bottom line.

But it seems to be working.Opel says it currently has a healthy order bank of 20,000 for the new Adam, and that for a car that was only launched to the public in October. Pretty good, and the hope (of both Opel accountants and watching industry analysts) will be that all of those 20,000 orders comes with a healthy profit margin. What makes the Mini and 500 so profitable to their makers is not just the premium level price tag, but the fact that people spend extra on speccing their cars up. Opel claims that the Adam has 61,000 different exterior styling variations, and 82,000 interior ones, so there's plenty of scope for customers to start dipping into a long and lucrative options list.

"Whoever orders an Adam today, can be pretty much certain that he hasn't seen an identical one. Almost every Adam is one of a kind," Thomas Sedran, interim Opel CEO Opel, said in a statement.

To be frank, we all doubted Opel's ability to appeal to the Generation Y, iPhone-loving, hip-kids generation, given that it's generally best known for making solid, but somewhat staid, family saloons, hatches and MPVs. But the initial success of the Adam might just be the first sign that Opel's long-awaited move upmarket could actually be working.

News: Can GM's new plan save Opel?


In a week when rumours once again surfaced that Opel was up for sale to PSA Peugeot Citroen, the German firm's US masters at General Motors have come up with (another) new plan to turn around the loss-making car company.

Interestingly, GM Europe boss Steve Girsky admits that this is the first Opel turnaround programme "not to include hope as part of the package" and the 10-year plan centres on cutting costs (Opel needs to get its fixed costs down by about €500-million, and make around €1-billion of savings in its parts-and-platform sharing agreement with PSA) and to introduce 23 new models (along with a bevy of new, more efficient engines) by 2022. The plan, rather playfully, is called Drive! 2022. 

If everything works, Opel will hit break-even in a couple of years and move back into profit by around 2018. Some of the plan has already been implemented; the tie-up with Peugeot and Citroen is already well progressed, the decision to close the loss-making factory in Bochum has already been taken and several key new models, including the Astra saloon, Adam city car and Mokka compact SUV, have already been introduced.

Opel actually had quite a good year in 2012, finishing up as Europe's third best-selling brand and going a long way to winding down stocks of unsold models. Next up will be to start building non-Opel-badged models in Opel's German plants, to take up the slack in capacity. Expect to see Buicks for China (China is now a massive market for this classic American brand) and mechanically-identical Chevrolets for Europe built in Russelsheim and elsewhere. And, although the plan doesn't overtly admit it, expect too to see the next-generation of Citroen C5 and Peugeot 508 built on a common platform with the Opel Insignia in Germany.

2013 Opel Mokka


The all-new Opel Mokka has captured the hearts of its customers. During the first 4 months that it has been available more than 40,000 orders were received for the SUV throughout Europe. Demand has been particularly strong in Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, France and Russia. With the Mokka Opel is the first German manufacturer to enter the rapidly growing segment of sub-compact Sports Utility Vehicles (SUV-B segment). The 1.6 liter ecoFLEX entry level Opel Mokka variant with 85 kw/115 hp can be ordered from 18,990 euro (Germany, including VAT). In addition, a turbocharged gasoline unit offering 103 kW/140 hp of output and a diesel 1.7 liter engine variant with 96 kW/130 hp are included in the Mokka's powertrain line-up.

2013 Opel Mokka
2013 Opel Mokka

2013 Opel Mokka
2013 Opel Mokka

2013 Opel Mokka
2013 Opel Mokka

2013 Opel Mokka
2013 Opel Mokka

2013 Opel Mokka
2013 Opel Mokka

2013 Opel Mokka
2013 Opel Mokka

2013 Opel Mokka
2013 Opel Mokka

"Now that we have the Mokka, a new chapter in our product offensive has begun. Our successful order intake shows that the Mokka is spot on. Its technologies, dynamic and bold design appeals to the taste of our customers. It sets new standards in its segment," says Opel Vice President, Sales, Marketing and Aftersales, Alfred E. Rieck.

Despite its 4.28 meter measurement, the Opel Mokka generously accommodates five people in a commanding position. It also delivers on Opel's promise to combine attractive design with innovative technologies and upmarket functionalities, making them accessible to a wider segment of customers. Furthermore, the Opel Mokka introduces ergonomic seating for the first time to the sub-compact SUV market as well as adaptive forward lighting (AFL+) and the integrated FlexFix bike carrier. Drive and comfort enhancing features and technologies include the Electronic Stability Control (ESC), and across all Mokka versions the Traction Control (TC) as well as the Hill Start Assist (HSA) and Hill Descent Control (HDC) systems. Apart from front-wheel drive (FWD), the Mokka can be fitted with an intelligent all-wheel drive (AWD). The optional AWD technology recognizes automatically when traction is needed on all four wheels and ensures that it is provided at a maximum level when necessary.

In the interior, the new Mokka also reflects Opel's typical sculptural design DNA which is captured through the signature wing-shaped instrument panel that wraps around the door inserts and the artfully sculpted surfaces in the doors.

Although the Mokka is small on the outside, the interior comes across as belonging to a much larger upmarket vehicle. Such components and finish, subtle fine chrome accents that are sensitively surfaced all add to the high quality feel. For example, center chrome rings and chrome dividers give a technical, modern impression.

Typical Opel values such as versatility and user-friendly functionality are also visible: from the dual glove box configuration of the instrument panel, the closed storage in the tunnel console to the deep lower pockets in both the front and rear doors. Many of the 19 storage spaces have been designed with active families in mind, such as the cleverly concealed armrest in the rear bench that also contains a cup holder or the storage areas in front and behind the gear shifter. With up to 1,372 liter of loading space and a cleverly designed hat shelf in the trunk which can be easily adjusted by hand, the Mokka offers many useful storage solutions. In addition, the rear bench can be split and folded in a 60:40 ratio providng even more flexible loading and transportation.

The Mokka is very much a driver's car with excellent ergonomics and comfort. This is reflected in a high seating position, a great all-round view out the vehicle as well as optional AGR certified seats ("Aktion Gesunder Rücken e.V."). Another driver-friendly feature are the simple and precise chronograph-like graphics in the instrument panel.

A touch of style and elegance is brought to the Opel Mokka in its upper "Cosmo" trim levels where embossed seat fabrics and high quality two-tone colored stitching can be found throughout the cabin, underscoring its refinement. Leather like "Moroccana" seat bolsters are provided either in Jet Black/Dark Galvanized combinations or in the new brown Cocoa/ Saddle Up fabric. The instrument panel and doors décor is covered in a striking tungsten brush (Jet Black seats) or sephia bronze film (Cocoa seats). For an even more luxurious atmosphere, customers can opt for black or the brown Cocoa/Saddle Up leather seats.

In the entry to mid trim levels "Essentia" and "Enjoy", customers benefit from high quality woven Jet Black cloth or Cocoa / Dark Adriatic seat fabrics (depending on trim), soft seat inserts, liquid platinum instrument panel and door décor moldings and chrome door release handles. All of these features give the Mokka a functional and comfortable environment.

Efficient engines, clever all-wheel drive technology and dynamic handling

An intelligent chassis system in combination with front wheel or adaptive all-wheel drive technology and electronic safety features mainly to be found in upper vehicle segments ensure that the handling of the all-new Opel Mokka remains dynamic and the ride comfort is high. The SUV sets new standards in its segment with its combination of modern gasoline and diesel engines as well as automatic and manual transmissions. With the Mokka, Opel is expanding its product portfolio and is the first German car maker to enter the growing sub-compact SUV segment.

Customers with active lifestyles

Customers who opt for the Mokka are making a conscious decision in favor of a sub-compact SUV model rather than a larger SUV. This means that they are choosing a car that is just the right size for urban environments, while also balancing the need to engage in everyday activities with weekend pursuits. Research has shown that the typical Opel Mokka customer is middle aged and leads a very active lifestyle where leisure activities play a central role in his or her life. That is why the Mokka with its many optional extras like the FlexFix bicycle carrier is perfect for people who want to balance their busy daily lives with leisure activities.

Potential customers are also known to be technology-orientated people who appreciate Opel's cutting edge onboard technologies with the offer of many Opel exclusive assistance systems, safety and comfort features high up on their agenda. The Mokka provides many technologies that are unique in the segment such as optional ergonomic AGR certified premium seats, several Opel Eye front camera functions and Adaptive Forward Lighting (AFL+). For example, almost half of all customers opting for the Mokka's Enjoy trim level are expected to choose the electronic climate control. According to orders received so far, there is a high expected demand for option packs which combine several safety and comfort feature into one package, offering attractive savings to customers.

Typically the majority of SUV-B customers (75%) are private buyers, while the rest are likely to be fleet and business customers. The Opel Mokka will attract customers who are new to the brand.

Established SUV tradition at Opel

Opel is not new to the SUV market and has established a successful track record in this segment over the past two decades. In 1991, Opel launched the all-wheel drive Frontera off-roader. It was the first European combined off-roader and SUV type of car. A year later, the Opel Monterey followed which was a mid-size pure off-road vehicle. After a brief absence from the SUV market, Opel returned in 2006 with the Antara. The sporty crossover was updated in 2011 with a comprehensively refreshed appearance and powertrain line-up. With the sales debut of the Opel Mokka in the fall of 2012, Opel customers are now able to choose from two attractive offers in the SUV segment.

Articles Source: Netcarshow

2013 Opel Cascada


Back to the most intense automotive experiences: cruising along with the sun softly warming your skin; feeling the air thickening in your open hand as speed increases; tipping back your head and finding no limit to your view, just diving into the deep blue sky. These are typical Cascada moments. The Cascada, Opel's new all-season convertible due to be launched in early 2013, is a classy four-seater with an elongated silhouette and a high-quality soft top. Heading to the top of Opel's line-up, the Opel Cascada is a midsize convertible not only by its size (length: 4,697 mm; width 1,840 mm excl. mirrors) but also by its allure and the premium technologies and features it offers.

2013 Opel Cascada
2013 Opel Cascada

2013 Opel Cascada
2013 Opel Cascada

2013 Opel Cascada
2013 Opel Cascada

2013 Opel Cascada
2013 Opel Cascada

2013 Opel Cascada
2013 Opel Cascada

2013 Opel Cascada
2013 Opel Cascada


After several generations of compact Kadett and Astra cabriolets, Opel returns to an older tradition of prestigious and rare midsize, four-seat soft-top convertibles from the fifties and sixties - like the Kapitän and the Rekord - but in a new, refreshing way and with the best of modern technologies. The Opel Cascada provides a sharp driving experience thanks to its super-rigid body, HiPerStrut front suspension and FlexRide adaptive damping system. Its driver and passengers can enjoy the open-air feeling thanks to the premium soft top that can be opened at the touch of a button in 17 seconds while driving at speeds of up to 50 km/h. Electric seat belt presenters, exclusive Nappa leather and ventilated, ergonomic seats as well as invisible, watchful safety systems make life serene and safe.

Thomas Sedran, Deputy Chairman of Adam Opel Management Board: "The midsize cabriolet segment is only occupied by very high-priced cars from premium manufacturers. With the Cascada, Opel offers all the typical features and premium qualities of a midsize convertible, but at an affordable price. The Cascada rounds off Opel's product offensive: in 2012 and 2013, we're enhancing our portfolio and entering all-new segments, with the electric Ampera, the small SUV Mokka, the fashionable, urban ADAM, and now this midsize convertible."

Attitude: Pure soft-top elegance enables full open-air enjoyment

With its broad stance and a flowing continuity of sculptured shapes that is typical for Opel, the Cascada design reflects the classic and timeless elegance of the "Grandes Routières" of a bygone and glamorous age. With the top down for open-air drives, the Opel Cascada has a perfectly clean profile: behind the fast and gracefully raked A-pillar, no roof top cover or visible rollover protection disturbs the silhouette. Below this clarity and to add some drama, the subtle Opel blade on the lower body side is mirrored in its upper part by a sharp crease that swings upward to the rear end, into the wraparound rear lights. The gently upswept waistline is highlighted by a horizontal chrome strip that elegantly sweeps around the cockpit, fluidly and elegantly marking the boundary between the roof top and the body.

"Most convertibles look good with the top down, but many seem clumsy with their roof up. Thanks to its high-quality, aerodynamically clean soft top with a perfect, seamless profile, the Opel Cascada also cuts a fine figure when closed," says Malcolm Ward, Director Exterior Design.

Tastefully sculpted in a purposeful power bulge, the bonnet tops a deepened front grille with bold chrome applications. The fog lights are carried in two overturned shark fin elements, which are visually enhanced and balanced by chrome inserts. Both using LED technology, the daytime running lights in the headlamps and the rear lights incorporate the Opel-typical wing signature. In the rear, the LED lighting modules are diffused for giving a solid and sharp light signal - a typical feature of premium class cars. A proud chrome strip linking the lighting units set into the boot lid balances the front chrome trim.

Top quality materials selected from suppliers of the most prestigious premium cabriolets are used to build Opel Cascada's soft top. It benefits from superior acoustic and thermal insulation thanks to a special layer of polyester fleece between the outside layer and the interior lining. An electro-hydraulic mechanism activated via a switch located between the front seats opens the roof in 17 seconds at driving speeds of up to 50 km/h - placing the Opel Cascada among the benchmarks in roof-top operation. In addition, key-operated remote control for opening and closing the top is standard in all Cascada models. Three soft top colors are available at launch. They can be coordinated with ten different body colors.

Indulgence: Crafted cockpit with outstanding comfort and functionality

The Opel Cascada's cockpit offers a striking, sculptural yet sporty design highlighted by precise, handcrafted details. The lines of the wing-shaped instrument panel, which features real stitching on soft, wrapped surfaces, flow into the doors, dynamically embracing the front-seat occupants. All new richly trimmed seats are offered in several elegantly embossed fabrics and leathers. The up-level AGR certified ergonomic seats are wrapped in rich, soft Nappa leather and benefit from heating and ventilation systems: on hot, sunny days, fresh air is drawn through the holes in the perforated leather to increase front occupants' comfort. Securing them is easy and comfortable due to the electric seat belt extender which brings the seat belt within close reach using a telescoping arm. An electric Easy Entry system makes access to the rear seat swift and comfortable.

The Opel Cascada benefits from great storage and stowage capacity for a convertible, allowing comfortable, all-season daily use. Several useful, large storage spaces have been placed around the driver: in the door, in and under the instrument panel and, thanks to a standard Electric Park Brake, in the center console - just where you need storage space the most. The minimum load volume with the roof open is 280 liters, and up to 350 liters are available when the soft top is closed. To extend its load volume or transport exceptionally long objects, the Opel Cascada benefits from the FlexFold system that electrically releases and folds down the 50:50 split rear seat back rests - a feature that cannot be offered in hard-top cabriolets.

Excellence: Superior body stiffness combines with outstanding chassis technology

Body stiffness is a key criterion for open-roof vehicles; it has a high impact on their driving behavior, steering precision, acoustics, safety and comfort and also conveys a clear feeling of their genuine quality. The Opel Cascada provides an superior balance between torsional and bending stiffness thanks to several measures including impressive underbody crossed steel bars and reinforced rocker profiles. Compared to Opel's previous generation cabriolet, the Astra TwinTop, the Cascada's body is 43% stiffer in torsion and 10% in bending. This layout provides a solid basis for the suspension and contributes towards significant reduction in noise, vibrations and harshness.

The new midsize Opel Cascada naturally has a more impressive footprint than the 2006 compact Astra Twin Top. The wheelbase is 71 mm longer, the front tread 56 mm and the rear tread 70 mm wider. That benefits handling and stability. The front axle of the Cascada features as standard the best of Opel chassis technology with the HiPerStrut layout that was initially developed for the Insignia OPC. HiPerStrut (High Performance Strut) separates the functions of damping and steering and provides highest traction and cornering precision as well as reduced torque steer and improved grip under all circumstances. The Opel Cascada has electrically powered rack-and-pinion steering with speed sensitive assistance. For more direct steering feel and precision, the electric motor is mounted on the rack, as opposed to the base of the steering column. FlexRide, Opel's integrated, fully adaptive chassis control system is of course available in the Cascada. It enhances its ride and handling performance and safety as it adapts to the driving situation, driving style as well as the drivers' preferences. The Opel Cascada can be equipped with 17" to 20" wheels. Brake discs have sizes of up to 326 mm in front and 325 mm in rear.

Performance: New generation direct Injection 1.6 Turbo gasoline engine

A broad powertrain line-up will be available in the Opel Cascada convertible. The 1.4 gasoline Turbo opens the portfolio; it is combined with a manual 6-speed transmission and is available in two output versions of 88 kW/120 hp and 103 kW/140 hp, both delivering up to 220 Nm thanks to an overboost function. On the diesel side, the 2.0 CDTI with 121 kW/165 hp comes with either a manual or an automatic 6-speed transmission. This engine delivers up to 380 Nm when its overboost is active.

The highlight in the Opel Cascada powertrain line-up will be the 1.6 SIDI Turbo ECOTEC gasoline engine. This midsize direct injection unit is part of a fully new generation that makes its debut in early 2013 and is geared to very smooth ride and torque delivery and great fuel economy. It delivers 125 kW/170 hp, between 1,650 and 3,200 rpm - and 280 Nm thanks to an overboost function. This engine will be available with manual and automatic 6-speed transmissions. The new, low-friction 6-speed automatic transmission in the Cascada features an Active Select function that allows manual shifting for a more sporty driving experience.

More powerful versions of both gasoline and diesel engines will be launched in the Opel Cascada at a later stage.

Serenity: Sophisticated technology and safety features

The Opel Cascada combines an open-air driving experience with the best of Opel technology. This includes the AFL+ Adaptive Forward Lighting system with up to 11 automatic functions, the second generation Opel Eye front camera with its new, extended functionalities (enhanced Traffic Sign Recognition and Lane Departure Warning, new Following Distance Indication and Forward Collision Alert), a rear-view camera and an Advanced Park Assist that eases parking maneuvers, an ultra-sonic based Side Blind Spot Alert, ergonomic front seats, a heated steering wheel, and Hill Start Assist.

The Opel Cascada's extremely rigid passenger cell is mainly fabricated from high-strength steel for the least deformation and largest possible survival space in crash conditions. Doors have diagonally mounted ultra-high strength steel beams and beltline reinforcements. The A-pillars supporting the windscreen are in press hardened steel. In case of roll-over, pyrotechnically activated spring-loaded high-strength bars automatically deploy behind the rear seats. These pop-ups are also triggered during other severe impacts - when airbags are deployed - in order to prepare the vehicle for possible secondary impacts and resulting roll-over. Front seats both benefit from two-way active headrests and double seat belt pre-tensioners and even the two rear seats have seat belt pre-tensioners.

Articles Source: Netcarshow

2013 Opel Astra Sedan


Opel is expanding its successful Astra model family with a new sporty and stylish sedan. Featuring typical Astra strengths, including advanced technologies and its widely recognized quality, the new upscale and elegant notchback is a more affordable alternative for customers who would usually opt for this type of car in the mid-size segment. With this new four-door Opel Astra Sedan, the five-door hatchback, the Sports Tourer station wagon and the racy GTC coupe, the line-up of Opel´s top-seller Astra is now complete.

2013 Opel Astra Sedan
2013 Opel Astra Sedan

2013 Opel Astra Sedan
2013 Opel Astra Sedan

2013 Opel Astra Sedan
2013 Opel Astra Sedan

2013 Opel Astra Sedan
2013 Opel Astra Sedan

2013 Opel Astra Sedan
2013 Opel Astra Sedan


At the start of sales in June 2012, customers can initially choose between seven engines for the new Opel Astra sedan: four gasoline units (74 kW/100 hp to 132 kW/180 hp), of which three can be combined with a six-speed automatic and three diesel engines (70 kW/95 hp to 96 kW/130 hp). The two ultra-efficient Astra notchback 1.7 CDTI ecoFLEX models with Start/Stop system and further efficiency enhancing technologies combine powerful outputs of 81 kW/110 hp or 96 kW/130 hp with diesel consumption figures as low as 3.7 liters per 100 kilometers. This is equivalent to only 99g/km CO2 emissions. In addition to this broad powertrain offer, early next year the new Astra four-door will benefit from the launch of Opel's new highly efficient, powerful and refined SIDI ECOTEC four-cylinder gasoline engine generation with 1.6 liters displacement, turbocharging and spark ignition direct injection.

The new Astra notchback sedan (Length/Width/Height: 4,658/1,814/1,476 mm) has a wheel base of 2,685 mm and provides generous interior space. Its separate trunk offers 460 liters of volume - 90 liters more than the five-door model. By folding the 60:40 split rear bench flat the luggage volume can be increased up to a maximum of 1,010 liters.

"With its sporty and elegant design, the new Astra sedan re-energizes the compact four-door segment. Like all our Astras it is engineered in Rüsselsheim and offers a high level of technology and widely recognized quality," says Opel CEO, Karl-Friedrich Stracke. "Our new Astra notchback is an important part of our product offensive and plays a key role in our growth strategy. It is a stylish, more affordable alternative to many four-door sedans in the mid-size segment, therefore we see significant conquest potential in Western Europe. It will also play a leading role in substantially increasing our market share in key growth markets such as Russia and Turkey, where there is strong customer demand for compact cars with a separate luggage compartment."

Sporty and stylish design combined with balanced proportions

The Opel design team gave the new Astra notchback a very stylish and sleek silhouette. The roofline arcs gently over the passenger area, then descends in a seamless sweep through the steeply raked rear screen to the sculpted aerodynamic lip at the end of the short rear deck. And because the raked C-pillar stretches so far back into the rear deck area, it visually conceals the size of the trunk in an elegant fashion. The feature line running through the door handles becomes more defined towards the rear, creating a muscular "shoulder" effect below the base of the C-pillar and the rear deck.

The rear is characterized by the steeply raked rear screen, the integrated deck spoiler, and the broad sweep of the sculpted bumper. The design of the tail lights echoes those of other Astra models, and the subtle crease which links them adds width and avoids any impression of bulkiness. The lamps also have an inner wing shape for the taillight function that continues the Opel brand signature. There are more sculptural features within the bumper where the number plate indent reflects the shape of the deck-lid cutout. Together, all these elements combine to create a particularly well-balanced and harmonious automotive design.

The Vice President of Design, Mark Adams, says: "The Astra model family implements our design language with sculptural artistry meeting German precision in a very dynamic fashion. All body style variants have their very own personality. We believe that the Astra four-door sedan we're now launching is the best proportioned and most stylish notchback currently available in the compact segment." Customers who wish to make their Opel Astra Sedan even more attractive visually, can choose from a wide offer of wheel designs of sizes up to 19 inches.

Top technology standards and typical Astra qualities in notchback segment

With its sporty, elegant design, typical Astra qualities and a large array of technological highlights - some are unique, some are unusual for the segment - Opel´s new compact four-door notchback targets customers with high expectations. The Advanced Forward Lighting (AFL+) with bi-xenon headlamps and a host of sophisticated lighting functions including variable light distribution, curve light, cornering light and high-beam assist greatly enhance active safety. The adaptive FlexRide chassis system automatically adjusts damping to the prevailing driving conditions and gives the driver the choice between three different modes - Standard, the comfort-oriented Tour mode and the more responsive Sport mode. The highly ergonomic AGR ("Aktion Gesunder Rücken e.V") approved seats that are easy on the back are available for the driver and the front passenger. Added to that are several infotainment systems which make travelling even more relaxing and safer. The Navi 900 top unit features the routes of more than 30 European countries and a digital travel guide stored on an SD card.

Compact notchbacks offer growth opportunities

The new four-door Opel Astra Sedan is an important addition to the latest generation of the successful Astra model family. In Western Europe, especially in Germany and Spain, Opel marketing experts see growth opportunities for the new four-door model as an elegant, more affordable alternative to sedans from the upper segment. Moreover, there is strong demand for compact notchback variants in the high growth markets of Eastern and Central Europe, particularly Russia and Turkey. Russia currently has the second highest sales volume in Europe and is expected to become Europe´s main market with up to 3.4 million total vehicle sales in 2014. Across all segments, more than 60 percent of all sedans sold in Europe are sold in Russia. Last year, in the compact segment 51 percent of customers there opted for a notchback version. Russia is also the third biggest market for the Astra in Europe. Therefore, Opel has decided to celebrate the world premiere of the new member of the Astra model family at the 2012 Moscow Auto Salon (August 29 - September 9).

Articles Source: Netcarshow

2013 Opel Astra OPC


Opel Astra line-up has a new high-performance member, the powerful 206 kW / 280 hp Opel Astra OPC which now completes the OPC family with the small Corsa OPC and the mid-size Insignia OPC. Powered by a 2.0 liter turbocharged direct injection engine, the Astra OPC (Opel Performance Center) achieves maximum torque of 400 Nm and can sprint from zero to 100km/h in just six-point-zero seconds. It achieves a top speed of 250 km/h. Never before has an Astra been so fast.

2013 Opel Astra OPC
2013 Opel Astra OPC

2013 Opel Astra OPC
2013 Opel Astra OPC

2013 Opel Astra OPC
2013 Opel Astra OPC

2013 Opel Astra OPC
2013 Opel Astra OPC

2013 Opel Astra OPC
2013 Opel Astra OPC


The four-cylinder engine offers 25 percent more maximum torque than its Astra OPC predecessor and also boasts 40 hp more power. This translates into 140 hp per litre, the highest specific output per liter in an Opel gasoline production car, compared with 120 hp in the previous Opel Astra OPC. The new turbocharged engine is based on the latest 2.0 liter Opel gasoline engine with 250 hp adding an extra 30 hp to it. However, fuel consumption has been reduced by 12 percent, while CO2-emissions have been reduced by 14 percent in comparison to the predecessor. The CO2-emissions of the Astra OPC have been lowered to 189 g/km (previously 221 g/km) and fuel consumption to 8.1 l per 100 kilometer (previously 9.2 l/100 km).

The Opel engineers developed a completely new state of the art engine air intake system in order to feed as much air to the turbocharger as possible. In addition, the exhaust system was optimized to further improve the flow of the exhaust gases and improve the engine performance. The turbocharger itself was further enhanced to withstand even more charge air pressure and therefore the durability of the charger was increased accordingly by using new components.

Articles Source: Netcarshow

2013 Opel Adam


With just weeks left before the Adam’s official debut at the 2012 Paris Auto Show, Opel has decided to release the official details on the small city car which will hit the showrooms in January 2013. The new Adam measures just 3.70 meters in length, yet is agile enough to make for the perfect car in crowded cities.

At its official launch, the new Adam will be offered with three efficient gasoline engines with power ranging from 74 to 100 HP. All of the engines will be available with an ecoFLEX technology pack including fuel-saving Start/Stop technology.

2013 Opel Adam
2013 Opel Adam

2013 Opel Adam
2013 Opel Adam

2013 Opel Adam
2013 Opel Adam

2013 Opel Adam
2013 Opel Adam

2013 Opel Adam
2013 Opel Adam

2013 Opel Adam
2013 Opel Adam

2013 Opel Adam
2013 Opel Adam

2013 Opel Adam
2013 Opel Adam

2013 Opel Adam
2013 Opel Adam


"The new Opel Adam offers lots of growth potential for our brand. We are very proud that our fashionable small car brings German engineering excellence to its segment," says Opel CEO Karl-Friedrich Stracke. "In fact, the ADAM is the only A-segment car that will be exclusively built in Germany. We are sure that it will get a fantastic reception in Paris at its world premiere in September."

The new Opel Adam measures just 3.70 meters in length and 1.72 meters in width, excluding its mirrors. Despite this compact size, it offers seating capacity for four people and their luggage. Opel says that the new Adam targets "especially trendy urban customers who are looking for a car that expresses their personal style."

The new Adam will be offered in three different, highly individualized trim moods or worlds: Jam, Glam and Slam. All three designs are offered with a wide choice of exterior colors, three roof colors, different interior colors, decors, various headliners -including an LED lit "starlight" roof trim - and other premium inspired distinctive design elements.

On the exterior, the new Adam features a wide front grille, a new wing-shaped chrome bar with the embossed Opel emblem, and headlamps with wing-shaped daytime running lights (DRL) typical of Opel. As a first for a model in the A-segment, both the headlamps and the taillights are available with state-of-the art energy-saving LED technology.

Opel is also offering a wide choice of wheels, measuring from 15" to 18", with the 17" and the 18" being offered with a more responsive Sports chassis.

For the interior, Opel is offering style and premium inspired ambiance in a remarkably spacious environment for a small car. The car gets Opel’s all-new state-of-the-art infotainment system and the latest media sources such as MP3 players, iPods, and tablets.

Initially, the new Opel Adam will be offered with a choice of three efficient gasoline engines: a 70 HP 1.2 liter engine, an 87 HP 1.4 liter engine, and a 100 HP 1.4 liter engine. All three engines come with an ecoFLEX technology pack including fuel-saving Start/Stop technology. At a later date, Opel will also offer a new generation small gasoline engine that features direct injection turbocharging for further enhanced efficiency and performance. This new engine will be combined with a completely new generation six-speed manual transmission.

Next to this, the new Adam also gets Electrical Power Steering (EPS) which includes a dedicated CITY mode that, at the flick of a switch, increases power assistance at lower speeds.

The new Opel Adam will make its world debut in September at the 2012 Paris Auto Show. Sales will begin in January 2013 and prices will be announced at a later date.

Opel built the new Adam as a competitor for models like the Volkswagen Up! and the Fiat 500. The question is: does it have what it takes to dethrone the 500 which is already a widely successful model?

The Fiat 500 comes with a 1.4-liter, in-line four-cylinder engine with state-of-the-art MultiAir technology that delivers 101 HP, while the Volkswagen Up! gets a 1.0-liter three-cylinder gas engine that produces an output of either 60 or 75 HP.

Articles Source: topspeed