Archive for the ‘Opel’ Category

2012 Opel Astra OPC breaks cover

Tuesday, November 8th, 2011
Opel Astra

Opel Astra

* High performance version of Astra GTC: 2.0 liter direct injection turbo gasoline engine
* 206 kW/280 hp, 400 Nm, top speed of 250 km/h
* Exclusive high performance chassis with limited slip differential and Brembo-brakes
* Powerful OPC design emphasizes pure passion and sporty interior

The new Opel Astra GTC is being given a sharper edge: the crowning glory of the new sporty compact coup? will come in summer 2012 in the shape of the high performance OPC (Opel Performance Center) variant. The Astra OPC is powered by a 2.0 liter direct injection turbo gasoline engine. The performance figures: 206 kW/280 hp of power and maximum torque of 400 Nm. This power house ensures that the Astra OPC can reach a top speed of 250 km/h. Never before has an Astra been so fast.

The whole chassis of the sports car is designed to deliver power, without comprise. In line with the finest OPC traditions, the car was put through its paces and polished on the Northern Loop (“Nordschleife”) of the N?rburgring race track in Germany under the supervision of the Opel brand ambassador Joachim (“Jockel”) Winkelhock. It is geared especially towards lateral dynamics and superb handling qualities. The high tech front-wheel suspension, HiPerStrut (High Performance Strut) of the Astra GTC helps to achieve this. . In addition to the HiPerStrut feature, the OPC also enjoys all the benefits of the fully-adaptive FlexRide chassis control system. The FlexRide chassis lets the driver sharpen the characteristic shock absorber line, the steering and the gas pedal responsiveness. He can do that at the touch of a “Sport” and “OPC” button. However, the OPC model goes one major step further: it has been fitted with a limited slip differential on the front axle. This gives the OPC even more stability and better handling, in other words the car has more grip when exiting bends at high speeds – even in wet conditions. “We have devised a great package that will convince even the most experienced sports drivers – not just on the N?rburgring,” the motorsport legend, Winkelhock , explains. The high performance brake system made by the prestigious manufacturer, Brembo, ensures good deceleration stats and maximum stability, even in moments of intense pressure.

The exclusive body work of the Astra OPC is an expression of pure passion for power and speed. The Astra GTC with its racy edge has so far been the most emotional expression of Opel’s design language but the OPC version flexes its muscles. The OPC is given extra sportiness with a set of specially sculpted front and rear bumpers, side skirts, an aerodynamic roof spoiler and two exhaust tail pipes in a trapeze shape. In the inside, the compact sports car has performance seats, a flat OPC sports leather steering wheel and special instruments.

OPC: Performance and pure passion

The Opel Performance Center (OPC), responsible for the sporty accents in the Opel model line-up since 1999, is a decisive element in the brand’s profile. It embodies a high level of emotionality and passion for striking design, top-class technology and extraordinary driving dynamics. The vehicles with “OPC” in the model name are positioned as the emotional spearheads of the respective model lines. Current OPC models include the Corsa, 141 kW/192 hp (154 kW/210 hp as N?rburgring-Edition) as well as the Insignia OPC, which is available as a 4 or 5-door sedan and Sports Tourer. The 2.8 liter V6 turbo gasoline engine (239 kW/325 hp) is the most powerful Opel production engine in history. For the “Unlimited” version of the Insignia OPC maximum speed goes up to 270 km/h (depending on trim and transmission variant).

2012 Opel Astra OPC

2012 Opel Astra OPC

Opel Astra

Opel Astra

2012 Opel Astra GTC get Panoramic windscreen

Monday, October 24th, 2011
Opel Astra

Opel Astra

Customers who opt for the panoramic windscreen in the new Astra CTC can treat themselves to heavenly views and cinematic vistas. In addition, the exclusive features give the dynamic look of the sporty compact coupé a further luxurious note on the outside. The large front windscreen stretches all the way to the middle of the car roof and gives the driver and the passengers an extraordinary visual, space and driving experience. The windscreen allows those on the inside not just to enjoy rays of sun but also dramatic cloud patterns or street illuminations at night. In contrast to other glass roof solutions, in this case there is no transverse spar that reduces visibility. This is why, in contrast to other common glass roof solutions, in the Astra GTC the driver, his co-pilot and the passengers in the rear are able to enjoy a vista, similar to what pilots experience under light plane canopies. Depending on the equipment variety, Opel offers this optional extra at prices starting at 1.200 Euro (recommended retail price including value added tax).

This innovative glass solution used by Opel had its world debut in the 2006 predecessor production model of the Astra GTC. Around 18,000 Astra GTC customers across Europe have since opted for the exceptional screen system, for which the engineers from Rüsselsheim were able to register a total of 11 patents. Apart from the new Astra GTC, the panoramic windscreen is also now available in the new Zafira Tourer. Once again Opel has demonstrated its leadership role in innovative glass solutions. “Our creative designers and engineers are constantly developing extraordinary glass designs specifically for different vehicle segments. It is an established Opel tradition to make such innovations available as basic features and at attractive prices,” says Alain Visser, Opel Vice President of Marketing.

Powerful visuals and clever solutions

From the outside, the panoramic windscreen together with its black metallic steel roof looks like a continuous surface. The A and B pillars are also coated in black as well as the headliner, reinforcing the impression of a homogenous surface.

In the event of very powerful sun rays, a roller blind can be lowered inside the cabin which sits under the panoramic glass. This helps create a pleasant atmosphere. The device which is continuously variable can be easily adjusted and then may be attached with a turning handle. The solar protection comes complete with an integrated sun visor which even in its opened state disappears behind the rear roof component.

Extended powertrain spectrum: Two new diesel engines from 110 to 130 hp

Since the start of orders in June, the new Astra GTC has been available with a choice of five engines with manual transmissions – four agile gasoline engines with outputs from the 1.4 liter 74 kW/100 hp to the 1.6 turbo with 132 kW/180 hp. Added to those is the 2.0 CDTI Common-Rail turbo diesel engine with 121 kW/165 hp.

The diesel offering for the sporty compact coupé is being extended with a further two engines: both are 1.7 liter CDTI Common-Rail turbo units. They are either available as a 81 kW/110 hp or as a 96kW/130 hp version. They deliver torque of 280 and 300 Nm respectively. The new motor management and an optimized combustion process have been developed from scratch by Opel engineers. Combined with a new injection system, reduced compression and operating pressures of 1.800 bar ensure that the new up to five injections are delivered per cycle. The turbo charger which is equipped with variable turbine geometry has a very precise boost control thanks to an additional actuator censor.

The Astra GTC 1.7 CDTI ecoFLEX version comes complete with a six-gear manual transmission in both performance variants. Start/Stop technology is a basic feature. This has a positive impact on carbon emissions (119 g/km) and on fuel consumption (4.5 liters/100 km).

A six-gear automatic transmission will be available from January 2012 in combination with the 1.4 liter turbo gasoline engine and the 2.0 CDTI Common-Rail turbo diesel. The high performance OPC version will also appear in 2012.

2012 Opel Astra GTC

2012 Opel Astra GTC

Opel Astra

Opel Astra

Denmark Car of the Year 2012 Winner – Opel Ampera

Wednesday, October 19th, 2011
2012 Opel Ampera

2012 Opel Ampera

The Danish jury behind Car of the Year has named Opel Ampera as this years winner. The respected national awards, presented by Motorjournalisternes Klub Danmark (MKD), praised Ampera for its succesful marriage between the electric and the petroldriven car.

The results of the final:

1. Opel Ampera 131 points

2. BMW 1-serie 88 points

3. Ford Focus 86 points

4. Kia Picanto 78 points

5. Opel Zafira 67 points

Opel Ampera

Opel Ampera

2012 Opel Ampera

2012 Opel Ampera